A New Methodology, Based on a CAD System, for Evaluating Partial and Global Asymmetries in Deer Antlers from Hunting Quality Assessment Data

Abstract

In the field of biology, the ’biomarkers’ of the different animal species are of great relevance, as well as the relationships between them and the quality of the habitat. A study was proposed, analysing the antlers of the Iberian deer, to measure the bilateral asymmetry of its branches. The antlers are characterised in a 3D CAD model of their axial structure obtained via photogrammetric restitution from two photographs. This method quantifies the global and partial asymmetries of the antler’s structural features. The research evaluated 48 deer antlers from hunting days and taxidermy workshops. To quantify asymmetries, the measurements required are the same as those considered to assess the hunting quality of antlers. Bilateral deviations are estimated for each structural trait and the whole antler. Preliminary results showed a convergence between the values of global asymmetry and hunting quality. The methodology proved to be fast, inexpensive, and easy to implement, which facilitates its use in future asymmetry studies of other biological elements of animal or plant origin. It is only necessary that the starting data, which is the bilateral axial structure of the analysed element, is characterised in a 3D model.