Summary
We develop a model for the distribution of animals around encounter sites. It is particularly applicable to males attending mate-encounter sites, such as hilltops. Major predictions are: male distributions should be unstable; males should show little site tenacity, particularly when at low densities; males with low probability of mate capture should occupy subordinate positions; probability of mate capture is a better predictor of position than resource-holding potential; female choice favours despotic distributions; males should often patrol together. Several of these predictions are met, others are testable. We identify some parameters that should be more extensively studied.
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Courtney, S.P., Anderson, K. Behaviour around encounter sites. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 19, 241–248 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00300638
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00300638