Role of laterality in agonistic behaviour of red deer II

The theoretical part of this diploma thesis deals with the role of brain laterality of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in agonistic behaviour. Therefore, the largest part of the review of published scientific outcome is devoted to the agonistic behaviour, namely it focuses on the fights between males during the autumn rut. Battles are strictly ritualized and males adhere to strict rules. The role of laterality in animals is being recently studied and the outcomes so far indicates that, particularly in agonistic interactions the laterality may play a significant role. Brain lateralization is simply a preference for one or the other hemisphere in certain activities. The main topic of this thesis is how laterality affects combat of red deer. The research part took place in a deer-park Zátoň where the duels between stags in rut were recorded. We also used videos from farms Podlesko and Žalany and a deer-park Milešov. These records were processed in the program Noldus Observes, with emphasis placed on the facts which deer was the initiator of the fight and his position to opponent, or with which eye the opponent was perceived at the beginning, but also during the fight. Data were statistically evaluated in SAS software (version 9.4., SAS Institute Inc.). We observed a strong tendency that the winner also initiates the interaction. Chance, that the winner will be the initiator, was compared to recipient 15 times higher. Initiator estimates his option in the battle to win, so he does not let the duel quit before it comes to physical confrontation. Regardless of the character of the behaviour initiator approached his rival more likely on right eye. There was statistically significant demonstrated initiator access to the recipient from the right side in parallel walk as well as in direct physical engagement. As stags train fights during the whole year, so even in the rut are information processed by the left hemisphere, which controls the routine affairs. We can say, that the deer fights during the rut are so frequent, when applies the routine of using antlers as a weapons and therefore we observe right side preference