Mountain ungulate mating systems: patterns and processes

Mountain ungulates of the subfamily Caprinae, including wild sheep, goats and goat-antelopes, show remarkable interspecific diversity in habitat preferences, social organisation morphological features. We review how this relates to their mating behaviour. After introducing ecology systems evolution we investigate pairwise, sequential relationships between behaviour, level polygyny, features, discuss ecological processes underlying patterns mate monopolisation acquisition. From forest-dwelling, solitary, monogamous monomorphic highly dimorphic, polygynous sheep inhabiting open landscapes, mountain reveal a close relationship openness sexual dimorphism, through sociality that monopolisation. Although over last few decades some information has been collected on biology our understanding determinants is still hampered by limited data estimate opportunities for selection, as well uncertainties occurrence maintenance alternative reproductive tactics, lack female choice. The study factors influencing them play key role from an evolutionary conservation standpoint. This relevant whose main expected be strongly affected ongoing climatic change, with potential effects phenology systems, economic value consumptive nonconsumptive uses. A better will require wealth additional field observations male genetic assessments success.