Mineral composition of antlers of three deer species reared in captivity

Inter-Specific Differences in the Structure and Mechanics but not the Chemical Composition of Antlers in Three Deer Species

“…One possibility is that due to their greater size, the Siberian wapiti may require a proportionally smaller amount of food to satisfy their energy and protein demand; thus, they may need food richer in elements to fully mineralize their antlers to reach values similar to those of the other two species. However, contrary to our results, when comparing three tropical deer species, Pathak et al (2001) found that it was the smallest species that had the lowest ash content (60.3% in Axis porcinus vs. 62.5% in A. axis and 62.9% in Rucervus duvaucelii). Other explanations may be related to evolutionary (but not adaptive) constraints, as proposed by Blob and LaBarbera (2001); or to the existence of adaptive constraints based on the quadratic body mass-antler allometry found in cervids (Lemaître et al 2014; larger antlers would have similar mechanical properties with smaller expenditure in minerals).…”

“…In our study, however, respective CVs were 9.1%, 6.8%, 11.8%, 2.2% and 1.7%. Only Pathak et al (2001) found a similarly small CV when studying three captive tropical deer species (2.3% for ash, akin to our study). This highlights that only standardized studies under controlled conditions can reliably demonstrate inter-specific differences in antler properties.…”

“…Other explanations may be related to evolutionary (but not adaptive) constraints, as proposed by Blob and LaBarbera (2001); or to the existence of adaptive constraints based on the quadratic body mass-antler allometry found in cervids (Lemaître et al 2014; larger antlers would have similar mechanical properties with smaller expenditure in minerals). Few studies attempted to investigate inter-specific differences in antler traits (Kitchener 1991, Blob & LaBarbera 2001, Pathak et al 2001, Blob & Snelgrove 2006. Chen et al (2009) recently summarized the limited published data on the mechanical properties of antlers of 11 species, and Blob and Snelgrove (2006) compared published data on antler stiffness among the Odocoileini.…”

“…This also affects both mechanical properties and histology (Landete-Castillejos et al 2007b. However, few studies that have compared these properties and the relationships between deer species (Kitchener 1991, Blob & LaBarbera 2001, Pathak et al 2001, Blob & Snelgrove 2006 have produced unclear results, most probably due to the antlers being of very different origins. Thus, it is yet to be discerned if, under the same feeding regime, different species grow antlers with similar internal structure, chemical composition and mechanical properties.…”

Calcium orthophosphates (CaPO 4 ): Occurrence and properties

“…Once they have achieved the proper dimensions, the velvet starts to dry out, cracks and breaks off, while the antler's bone dies. Therefore, fully developed antlers consist of dead bone only Kierdorf 2000, 2005;Pathak et al 2001;Yuxia et al 2002;Li et al 2005). However, the formation and mineralization process of antlers is still not fully understood.…”