Fluctuating asymmetry in Alpine chamois horns: an indicator of environmental stress

Abstract

Developmental stability of an individual is often evaluated by means of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in bilaterally paired morphological characters. Even though FA has been widely investigated in ungulates, its connection with the condition of individuals and their environment is still debated. In this study we investigated factors contributing to FA in horn length in the sexually monomorphic Alpine chamois. We measured right and left horn length of 1682 Alpine chamois (Nfemales = 734; Nmales = 948) shot during 2 consecutive hunting seasons (2015 and 2016) in 7 neighbouring districts in Central-Eastern Alps (Italy). We found no consistent left or right bias. Within our study population, FA values were normally distributed around a mean value that was not significantly different from zero (Skewness = − 0.107, SE = 0.06; Kurtosis = − 0.055, SE = 0.119). We also found that absolute FA in horn length was affected by environmental and climatic conditions experienced by the individuals during their first year and half of life. Statistically significant differences between right and left horn length were found with higher local population density and lower forage quality (i.e., siliceous substrate). Moreover, snow cover duration during the individuals’ first winter increased horn length asymmetry. No individual characteristics played a role in promoting horn length asymmetry. The associations between exposure to stressors and deviations from bilateral symmetry suggest that absolute FA can be used to identify populations whose individuals experienced stressful conditions early in life. We found in this relatively monomorphic species that both male and female horns were equally affected by climate, substrate, and local population density, thus showing that large male secondary sexual characters, such as the antlers of deer stags, are not the only traits which can be influenced by a negative environment and exhibit increasing FA.