social organization and reproductive behavior of goitered gazelle (gazella subgutturosa) in kalmand-bahadoran area of yazd

the group size and behavior of goitered gazelle was studied over the year 2001 in kalmand-bahadoran protected area. gazelle groups showed no stable organization in kalmand protected area. in spring season, group size was smaller than other seasons and the largest groups were seen in winter. number of solitary gazelles increased during the mating season. adult males were territorial in mating season, but sometimes they let other males stay in their group. even so territorial males were dominant over all individuals of the group and usually, prevented mating of other males. dominant males marked their territories using different methods. in the study area, gazelle mating occurred from november 21st to december 5th and parturition was observed over may 4 th -19 th.