Antler length of yearling red deer is determined by population density, weather and early life-history

Abstract

In red deer, yearling antler length is a largely nutrition-mediated phenotypic character, and is therefore sometimes used as an indirect estimate of range quality and population condition. However, the parameters affecting yearling antler length have been little studied. We analyse the contributions of density, weather and maternal effects on yearling antler length of 581 individual stags born 1970-1996 on the Isle of Rum (Scotland). We show that antler length is a good measure of yearling condition: the probability of overwinter survival in yearlings that developed antlers was 3 times higher than for yearlings that did not develop antlers, and yearling antler length was correlated with the number of antler points the following year. Between years, variation in yearling antler length was best explained by variation in red deer density and June temperature at 12 months of age. Both of these variables were negatively correlated with antler length, and most likely this effect is due to changes in nutrient availability. Population density affects biomass availability for the individual, while low temperatures in early summer prolong the availability of high forage quality. At the individual level, antler length increased with birth weight and decreased with birth date, reflecting the persistent and pervasive influence of conditions in early life.

Lactation growth influences mineral composition of first antler in Iberian red deer Cervus elaphus hispanicus

“…In red deer, antler length is usually used as quality index of individuals, because yearling antler length is a largely nutrition-mediated phenotypic character (Schmidt et al 2001). The results of Schmidt et al (2001) showed that antler length increases with birth weight and decreases with increasing birth date delay, reflecting the persistent influence of conditions in early life.…”

“…These effects should be seen as an important particular case of reported negative effects of reduced food availability on antler growth or length (Scribner et al 1989, Schmidt et al 2001, as well as horn growth (Festa-Bianchet et al 2004), and they could all have subsequent cumulative effects in the male (Asleson et al 1997).…”

“…One of the most important factors is likely to be nutrition. Nutrition measured directly (in white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus; Ullrey 1983) or indirectly through weather effects on plant productivity (in red deer Cervus elaphus; Schmidt et al 2001; in reindeer Rangifer tarandus; Weladji et al 2005) affects various parameters, from spike length to relative antler length and number of tines in adult deer. A promising area of interest regarding the effects of nutrition on antlers concerns antler composition and its associated mechanical properties (Landete-Castillejos 2007a).…”

Reversal of response to artificial selection on body size in a wild passerine

“…Being born too early or late may increase calf mortality due to low amounts of available high quality food and have negative developmental consequences which lasts into adulthood (Solberg et al, , 2008Rödel et al, 2009). Accordingly, Schmidt et al (2001) found antler size in red deer Cervus elaphus to be negatively related to birth date and Plard et al (2015) found higher probability of recruitment and larger adult body mass for early-born roe deer. In our study, we found significant negative fecundity selection on birth date in both sexes (Fig.…”

Preferences of Rusa timorensis to Grasses and Their Body Morphometry and Velvet Antler Characteristics

“…Length of yearly velvet in red deers (Cervus elaphus) is an indicator of the availability and quality of their feed as well as population condition (Scmidt et al, 2001;Jeon et al, 2006a). Nutritional deficiency resulted in negative impact on pedicle development in fawns and the growth of antlers in all age classes (Demarais, 2002).…”