Linirose McKeown

Sexual dimorphism, or the physical and behavioral differences between sexes, can influence species behavior in ways that have ecological consequences. It is unclear how sexual dimorphism impacts certain species’ prioritization of finding food and/or avoiding predation, especially species with large life history differences. The medium-sized antelope, impala (Aepyceros melampus), is sexually dimorphic physically and behaviorally, and therefore an ideal study system. Image data taken from remote camera traps were used to explore differences such as habitat preference, temporal activity, and why these differences occur. We expected females to prioritize predator avoidance due to the presence of young, and males to prioritize food availability. We looked at the spatial and temporal activity of male vs female groups, overlaying variables such as young presence and season. We found that there was little difference in habitat preference between the sexes. We found a difference in temporal activity between sexes (p=0.02), with females being more active at night, dawn, and dusk, and males being more diurnal. This difference in temporal activity shows one of the ways that Impala may alter their behavior in response to their specific ecological pressures.