ANTLER GROWTH AND MORPHOLOGY IN A FERAL SIKA-DEER (CERVUS-NIPPON) POPULATION
IN KILLARNEY, IRELAND
HAYDEN TJ, LYNCH JM , OCORRYCROWE G
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 232: 21-35 Part 1 JAN 1994
Abstract:
Antler growth and form was examined for a sample of 303 sika stags (Cervus nippon)
culled over an eight-year period from a feral population in Killarney National
Park, County Kerry, Ireland. Most antler measurements taken were highly correlated
with each other and growth was complete after the sixth year. Few abnormalities
were recorded and the degree of asymmetry in structure was less than previously
reported for other sika populations. Variability in structure decreased with age
and there was no effect of year of birth or cull on antler size for either adult
or yearling stags. The growth pattern was similar to that of other populations
except that the proportion of 'eight pointers' was low. An examination of antler
damage was used to estimate fighting frequency across age classes. The results
are discussed in relation to the genetic history of the herd and the use of antlers
as weapons for intra-specific combat.