Body and Organ Weights of Free-Ranging Japanese Serow

Abstract

Baseline data on the growth of free-ranging Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus), including body and organ weights, were determined during December-January 1981-88. Whole body weight and length at birth were estimated to be 3.5 kg and 48.5 cm, respectively. Body and organ weights rapidly increased with age until sexual maturity at 2.5 years. Adult dressed body weights averaged 87.2 kg in males and 38.3 kg in females. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 51(3):678-680 Although data on the morphology, reproduction, pathology, and population dynamics of the Japanese serow are available (Ito 1971; Komori 1975; Sugimura et al. 1981, 1983, 1984; Sugano et al. 1982; Tsuchimoto et al. 1982; Kita et al. 1983; Maruyama and Nakama 1983; Ohtaishi 1984; Miura and Yasui 1985; Sugimura 1985), the baseline relationships between body and organ weights and age are unknown. This lack of data is due mainly to the complete protection of this animal in recent years as a special natural monument. Because of habitat destruction, due to growth of protected serow populations, the Agency of Cultural Affairs, Japan, permitted us to collect a small number of these animals in Gifu and Nagano prefectures to establish these relationships. We thank M. Sugimura, N. Maruyama, N. Sakurai, and H. Saitoh for their help in the collection of the materials. This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Sci. Res. from the Minist. Educ., Sci., and Culture of Japan (Projs. 58030020, 59030053, and 60030060).