Concordia University
M.Sc. candidate
Supervisor: Robert Weladji
Start: 2023-09-05
End: 2025-08-31
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Project

Influence of female reproductive status (fertilized vs non-fertilized) on mating behaviours of reindeers (Rangifer tarandus)
Reindeers (Rangifer tarandus) exhibit a polygynous mating system characterized by male competition to monopolize the access to receptive females during the rutting period. Dominant males form harems composed of multiple females and a few subordinate males. They display various mating behaviours, the most noticeable ones comprising fighting, courting, herding and grunting. Because of the coercion and harassment exerted by males, female mate choice is less apparent and remains poorly understood. The project aims to explore how female reproductive status may affect mating behaviours of both males and females. The study is based on an experiment on a semi-domestic reindeer population involving the mix of fertilized and non-fertilized females.

Keywords

Rangifer tarandus, Animal behaviour, reindeer reproduction, mating system, mating behaviour