Female dispersion and the evolution of monogamy in the dik-dik

It is widely believed that monogamy in mammals has evolved because males are unable to defend more than one, widely dispersed, female range. A new study investigates the theory in the monogamous antelope Kirk's dik-dik. The study shows substantial variations in territory quality and finds no link between reproductive success and territory size. It is concluded that female dispersion does not influence monogamy and that monogamy may have evolved because of male mate guarding.