Open AccessAge determination in fallow deer Dama dama neonates
Author(s) -
Galli Assuntina,
Focardi Stefano,
Iseppi Monica,
Piasentier Edi
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
wildlife biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.566
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1903-220X
pISSN - 0909-6396
DOI - 10.2981/0909-6396(2008)14[386:adifdd]2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - ungulate , biology , population , age structure , habitat , zoology , ecology , demography , sociology
In this article, we evaluate the reliability of a set of easy‐to‐collect qualitative traits, such as appearance of the umbilical cord, position and behavioural reactions before and after handling, for ageing fallow deer Dama dama neonates. Using correspondence analysis, we found that the studied set of traits can distinguish the age of fawns during the hiding period, which, in this species, lasts only a few days. Ageing criteria are necessary to improve our understanding of mother‐infant relationships, which may have important relevance when analysing the population dynamics of this ungulate, typical of Mediterranean habitats in Italy.