EFFECT OF BODY MORPHOMETRIC PARAMETERS ON ANTLER QUALITY IN ROE DEER (CAPREOLUS CAPREOLUS)

Abstract

 The external phenotypic characteristics of roe deer may reflect the physical condition of individuals and the quality of their habitat. Stronger and healthier males tend to develop larger and better-formed antlers, and antler quality is commonly associated with their size-related parameters. Although studies worldwide have examined the relationship between antler traits and body morphometric measurements, in Lithuania the association between antler characteristics and both body morphometric and skull craniometric parameters has not been extensively investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of morphometric and craniometric parameters on antler quality in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Morphometric measurements have been collected since 2016 in the Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy research and hunting areas and were continued during this study. After skull preparation, the age of individuals was determined and antler as well as skull craniometric parameters were measured. The obtained data were analysed statistically. The results showed that age had a statistically significant effect on some morphometric, craniometric and antler parameters, whereas no statistically significant differences were found between hunting units I and II.