Open AccessAntler manipulation procedures for use in social and behavioral studies of deer
Author(s) -
Morina Daniel L.,
Demarais Steve,
Chesser G. Daniel,
Lowe J. Wesley,
Strickland Bronson K.
Publication year - 2018
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/wlb.00452
Subject(s) - antler , odocoileus , biology , ecology , zoology
Theories describing the role of antlers in reproductive biology have lacked substantive evaluation due to the inability to differentiate the effects of antler size from other allometrically related morphological traits. We developed an antler manipulation technique to facilitate comparisons of antler size while controlling for body size and age using white‐tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus. We describe the process by which antlers can be manipulated to further investigate the functions of antlers. We believe this process is a viable option for manipulating antler size across Cervidae with appropriate modification to scale.