Abstract
Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus), as well as other caprids, have true horns that are never shed and grow continuously throughout their lifespan. As with the horns of goral and mountain goat, serow horns are short, bent slightly backwards, sharply pointed, blackish, and conical. Horns have been used not only in taxonomic research, but also in ecological and demographic studies. Horn growth is a complex set of metabolic events which are known to be influenced by age, sex, nutritional status, environmental conditions, population quality, and genetic factors. Thus, the development of the horn may reflect these effects in its shape, size and growth rate. In addition, intermittent growth of the horn during winter causes the formation of distinct annual rings. Horn annulation makes it possible to trace past metabolic changes of individuals. Age, sex, habitat condition and reproductive history in females can be derived from horn measurements. Detailed results of the first and last items have been published elsewhere (Miura 1985 and in preparation).
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