Ovo's page
Ovo was an adult, harem holding, male. He was the biggest and most powerful of the males yet alive during the past breeding season, and he was in very good shape during the last molt (Spring 1999). Ovo nicely illustrates the progression in competitive capability of a male along years. He started his career as breeding male in 1995, being beta of a large harem for half of the season, and harem holder of a small harem during the rest. In 1996, he was holder of a large harem during the whole season, and, in 1997, he became the beachmaster of one of the main breeding areas. In 1998, he was also the most dominant male of the whole population. Between 1996 and 1998 he held 70-90 females per year, and, at the moment, his estimated lifetime fertilization success is more than 250 females. He is a very powerful but relaxed male. He is in most cases able to defeat the other males and keep is high dominance status without direct fight: just a few vocalizations are enough to keep everybody away.