Examination of Reproductive Performance of Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Hungary

Abstract

The objective of the research partly is to compare the reproduction performance of the populations living in different regions with regard to some special characteristics (age, condition).When estimating the age through tooth wear and cementum-layer-counting there was a difference of 0.87 years in favour of the first one (r=0,840; p<0,001). I found cementum layers at 42% of the does in the study after examining the MI teeth.There was lose connection between the weight (eviscerated, with head and legs) and the KFI (r=0,296; p<0,01), and for further analysis, I used only the KFI as the index for condition.The regional average KFI varied from 0.24-0.37 in fawns, 0.82-1.73 in does, with individual extremes of 0-4.05. Within the examined regions the highest index belonged to the prime-aged does, while the 1-year-olds had a lower rate, and it was the lowest in the does older than 8 years.The rate of fertility was between 83,3(ns)-100% as we can see from the presence of the CL. All the examined does were fertile, except in one region, while among the female fawns in two regions I only found three with active ovaries. The average number of CL was 1.5-2.13, and this varied by regions; all in all it was the highest in the 2-7-year-old group (1.96) and in the ones over 8 years (2.00!), while it was lower in the does younger than 1 year (1.90). The high fertility of the does over 8 years is remarkable.I could examine the number of embryos in two regions during the post-implantation period, and beside 100% fertility I found significant differences among the does, which can be associated with the condition. The ratio of CL carriers and the pregnant does was 100% and 73% in the two regions, the average number of CL were 1.92 and 1.72, while the average embryo number were 1.83 and 1.36 per doe. The difference between the CL and the embryo numbers on the two regions were 5% and 21%. The difference (prenatal loss) is in connection with the age (age class) of the doe. It is possible, however, that in some cases oestrus was not followed by gestation. But in roe deer, owing to the commonly known lack of luteolysis-mechanism (Flint et al., 1994), the regression of the CL of the does that did not get pregnant takes place in December and January, so the CL found in January cannot prove a previous pregnancy, which might have been followed by an abortion.Although it has to be proven, it seems that the number of the CL (potential progeny) can be associated with the age (r=0,418; p<0,01) and the weight (r=0,312; p<0,01) of the doe, while the embryo number (realised progeny) is influenced by the age of the doe and probably by external factors.It is essential to continue and extend the research to increase the reliability of the results and their correlation.

Assessment of selected indicators of the individual condition of roe deer Capreolus capreolus in the closed hunting season

“…The present study showed a positive correlation between the carcass weight and the KFI value. Similar values of the correlation coefficient between doe carcass weight and KFI in winter months were reported by Majzinger [2004].…”

Weight of body, carcass and internal organs as well as paranephric fat index (KFI) as the individual condition indices of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in eastern Poland

“…However, many scientific studies in assessing the individual condition are also based on data on the body fat stores around the internal organs. The most common measurement is the amount of adipose tissue accumulating around the kidneys, and then the ratio of paranephric fat (KFI) is calculated (Batcheler et al 1970, Bonino and Bustos 1998, Stephenson et al 1998, Takatsuki 2000, Majzinger 2004, Karpiński et al 2008, Flis 2012. For the first time, this indicator was used to assess the condition of the deer population introduced in New Zealand (Riney 1955).…”

The feed preference of roe deer in different habitats

“…The composition of the roe deer's diet is determined by the vegetation in the habitat. The quality of the food is one of the most important factors, directly influencing population density and is a determinant of the body and antler weights and reproductive performance of not only juveniles but also adults (Csányi 1994, Gaillard et al 1998, Majzinger 2004a2004b;2006a;2006b;2013).…”