Weight and body measurements of forest and field roe deer

Abstract

., 1982: Weight and body measurements of forest and field roe deer. Acta theriol., 27, Comparison was made of biométrie parameters (body weight, body length, height at shoulder and length of hind food) in 546 roe deer, Capreolus capreolus (Linnaeus, 1758) from a forest population, and 789 roe deer from a field population, using variance analysis for cross classification by means of Bock's method. Statistically significant differences occurred only in respect of body weight and length. Body weight was found to exhibit greatest dynamics of growth between the 1st and 3rd year of life of the individuals in the case of both forest and field roe deer. Particularly great increase in body weight during this period (4.2 kg in bucks and 4.5 kg in does) was found in forest roe deer. In individuals from the field population this increase is smaller (2.5 kg in bucks and only 1,2 kg in does). Differences in body weight between forest and field roe deer are greatest in the youngest age classes, but are minimal in old individuals. Differences in body length between females and males are minimal in both populations, but field roe deer are significantly longer in the body than those living in the forest. There is a significant correlation between body weight and body length (r=0.70; a=0.01). Body weight is also correlated, but to a lesser degree, with length of the hind foot (r=0.51) and height at the shoulder (r=0.33). All these correlations are far greater in forest than in field roe deer, and in does than in bucks.

Selectivity of harvesting differs between local and foreign roe deer hunters: trophy stalkers have the first shot at the right place

“…It is also likely that larger individuals live in open habitat. Higher body weight and size of field roe deer compared to forest dwelling roe deer were found in western Poland (Fruzinski et al 1982). Even for trophy stalkers, the stock gets depleted as the season progresses, since there is competition among hunters.…”

Comparative morphological investigations of forest and field ecotypes of roe deer in Poland

“…It differs also in body weight and length from forest ecotype roe deer (Fruziński et al, 1982) but not in other parameters. These differences may be related to better feeding conditions.…”

“…During the vegetation period, the field habitat offers simultaneously food and cover, which saves energy. A study by Kałuziński (1982) showed that in agrocenosis there is the typical food plant diversity, but selective feeding by roe deer centres mainly upon six species of cultivated plants. Seasonal changes of selected plants relate to changes in their digestibility, as in other habitats.…”

The Roe Deer Classification to Ecotypes in Mosaic Landscape of Lithuania

“…Body weight is changing together with the age of an animal. In roe deer, the highest growth rate observed between 1 -3 year of their life, when roebucks increase their body weight by 4,2 kg (forest roe deer), and 2,5 kg (field roe deer), and does 4,5 and 1,2 kg respectively (Fruziński et al, 1982). Fig.…”