MOOSE (ALCES ALCES L.) ANTLER BEAM AND PEDICLE MORPHOMETRIC PARAMETERS IN RELATION TO AGE
Keywords:
moose (Alces alces L.), antlers, antler beam, pedicle, morphometry, age determination, morphological maturity, regression analysisAbstract
This study examines the relationship between age and the morphometric parameters of moose (Alces alces L.) antlers, specifically the circumference of the antler beam and pedicle, and evaluates their applicability for age determination. Data from male moose aged 1.5–12.5 years were analyzed.
Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied. The results showed that differences in antler beam circumference between older age groups were often not statistically significant. In contrast, pedicle circumference exhibited statistically significant differences between most age groups (p < 0.05), particularly between younger and middle-aged individuals.
These findings indicate that pedicle circumference is a more reliable morphometric parameter for moose age determination than antler beam circumference.
