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- Title
Antler weight and body weight relationship in adult and young pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) males.
- Authors
Ungerfeld, Rodolfo; Villagrán, Matías; González-Pensado, Solana
- Abstract
As in many deer species antler weight is related to body weight, our aims were to determine if in male pampas deer, an endangered species, antler size is related to body size in single-age class groups of males, and if antler and body weight, and their ratio, differ between adult and young males. Data were collected during two consecutive years in two groups of semicaptive males, composed by 6 adult males and 5 young males. All males had free access to food, and were weighed both during March (autumn in southern hemisphere). Data regarding antler status were registered daily: when a buck was observed without its antlers we searched the paddock for the antler, collected and identified it. Antler weight, volume, and lengths were recorded, and density was calculated. There was a positive relationship between body weight and antler weight in adults but not in young males. Body weight, antler weight, and antler weight: body weight ratio were greater in adult than young males. Antler volume, coronet circumferences, and lengths of first and second tines were greater in adult than young males. Overall, we concluded that in pampas deer managed in semicaptive conditions, with free access to food and a low range of variation of body weight there is a positive relationship between body weight and antler mass only when males reach their adult weight. Also, antler weight and size, as well as the antler:body weight ratio is greater in adult males than in males younger than 3 years old. Both differences reflect a slow development rate considering high food availability.
- Subjects
PAMPAS deer; ANIMAL morphology; BODY weight; BODY size; ANIMAL species; ENDANGERED species
- Publication
North-Western Journal of Zoology, 2011, Vol 7, Issue 2, p208
- ISSN
1584-9074
- Publication type
Article