Does the fluctuating asymmetry in horn length in Chamois (rupicapra rupicapra l.) reflect the quality and age of the animal

Milan Hafner (2004) Does the fluctuating asymmetry in horn length in Chamois (rupicapra rupicapra l.) reflect the quality and age of the animal. Zbornik gozdarstva in lesarstva (73). pp. 5-29. ISSN 0351-3114

Preview

PDF - Published Version Download (726Kb) | Preview

Abstract

We have researched the fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in the horn length of chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra L.) on a sample of 718 animals of both sexes (425males, 293 females) that were shot in chamois population in the eastern Karavanke mountain ridge in northwestern part of Slovenia in the period 1985 -2003. Horn length reflects FA in male as well as in female population. Absolute FA in horn length increases with age in both sexes. Among young animals, twoyear olds stand out as the ones with higher FA. Within single age classes we have not detected any differences in absolute FA in-between sexes. We have, however, detected dependence between FA and the size of horns among females. Fluctuating asymmetry increases with an increase in horn length. No dependence has been found between absolute FA and carcass mass. We have not detected any differences in relative FA in females within single age classes. If we presume, that only individuals of good quality and individuals which arenot under stress conditions are able to develop more symmetrical horns, we can ascertain that our results do not confirm the presumption that FA in secondary sexual characteristics reflects the quality of the individual. Hornsof bigger individuals are not more symmetrical. We therefore assume that the asymmetry in horn length could be a characteristic feature of the age of an individual but could not be a characteristic feature of the quality of the individual. The symmetry in horn length in chamois probably does not have highsignificance in contacts between animals.

Actions (login required)