Do infanticides occur in harem-forming equids? A test with long-term sociodemographic data in wild plains zebras

Social dynamics can play a major role in shaping the population ecology and evolutionary trajectory of species. This is, for instance, case species known to experience infanticide when dominant male is replaced by another. Infanticide males has been observed many taxa, mostly that breed year-round which few monopolize reproduction. In such species, often occurs after take-overs breeding groups, frequency increases with increasing female group size, therefore raising risk larger groups. Among ungulates, reported harem-forming equids captive populations, usually following harem-male turnover. this study, we empirically tested wild whether rate stallion (i.e. harem-male) turnover number reproductive females harems, these events reduce foal survival. We used long-term study plains zebra, Equus quagga, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, where, more than 15 years, turnovers have recorded accurate data on pregnancy obtained hormone assays. show were frequent and, as expected, particularly harems females. found survival did not differ significantly between situations occurred shortly before or their birth it not. result was consistent fact no attacks stallions foals forced matings during study. Our offers rare showing if should be rare, important consequences at level.