Antler Shape Research Articles

Indigofera jaisalmerica sp. nov. (Fabaceae): a new species from Indian desert

A new species, Indigofera jaisalmerica C.S. Purohit et R.N. Kulloli. sp nov. from Indian desert (Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, India) is described and illustrated. The new species is closely related with Indigofera cordifolia Roth, but differs in having a leaf more than 2 cm long with scattered hairs on both surfaces, trichomes antler shape on leaf surface, inflorescence axillary spicate with 14–17 flowers, calyx slightly longer than flower, fruit strictly one-seeded and enclosed by calyx lobes. Detailed taxonomic description along with colored photo plate, distribution map, SEM study of leaf and seeds, and associates are provided here for its easy identification.

A new deer species (Cervidae, Mammalia) from the upper Siwaliks (Pakistan)

The article presents a description of a new species of the genus Praesinomegaceros from the Early Pleistocene of Pabbi Hills (Upper Siwaliks) in Pakistan. This is a first record of Praesinomegaceros in the geological past of the Indian Subcontinent. Unlike Praesinomegaceros from the Late Miocene of Central Asia, the Siwalik form is characterized by the loss of basal tine palmation and diminished number of crown ramifications. However, the new Siwalik cervid maintains the characteristic of Praesinomegaceros general antler bauplan. The antler shape of the new species from Pakistan reveals important evolutionary changes in ecology and ethology. Antlers of Praesinomegaceros from Siwaliks have lost their function of social display and “returned” to the effective weapon antler type. The multivariate cluster analysis of antler characters supports the close evolutionary relationship of the new cervid species from the Siwaliks with Praesinomegaceros and Sinomegaceros from the Pleistocene of Asia.

Interpretation of Siberian shaman costume through Roland Barthes’s semiotics approach

This study attempts to analyze the social and cultural meanings of the ethnic groups to which different types of shamans belong in Siberia from the appearance characteristics in terms of clothing through Roland Barthes’s semiotic theory. The research method here is to analyze three types of shaman costume classified by Holmberg, which are bird-type, deer-type, and bear-type, through theoretical research and to investigate the analysis process of Roland Barthes’s semiotics theory. Roland Barthes’s approach to semiotics presents an analysis model that can explore the sociocultural meaning of the Siberian shaman costume. The research results are as follows. In the first type, to be closer to the god of the upperworld, shamans transform themselves into birds by decorating their costumes with the characteristic elements of birds such as feathers and wings. In the second type, the shamans’ costumes are made of deerskin, and the headdress is shown in the shape of antlers to make it easier to receive messages from the upperworld and run fast in the underworld. In the third type, the shaman’s costume is made of bearskin, the head is covered with bearskin, and the body is decorated with bear pendants. Through the power of the bear, the shaman is sent to the underworld to defeat evil gods and remove diseases. Shamans can show their particularity of being a demigod and non-binary gender through clothing. They use this to reflect their authority as a medium of communication between man and god.

Morphological characteristics of wild and cultivated Ganoderma subincrustatum from Sonora, Mexico

Background: Ganoderma is a complex genus with high morphological variability. Ganoderma subincrustatum is a common parasite and saprophytic species, and its circumscription is doubtful for some authors. The aim of this study was to analyze the morphological variability of wild and cultivated specimens of G. subincrustatum.Methods: Ganoderma subincrustatum strain was isolated from a peach orchard in La Costa de Hermosillo, Sonora. The strain was cultivated on vineyard pruning wastes under low and high illumination. Wild and cultivated basidiomata were macro- and microscopically characterized and compared.Results and conclusions: Ganoderma subincrustarum is recorded for the first time from Sonoran mycobiota. Basidiomata color, size and shape were different between wild and cultivated under low and high illumination. High lux condition caused antler shape fruiting bodies. Wild and cultivated specimens showed the same type of context, similar shape of pileipellis cells and basidiospores, but spores were larger in wild specimens.

Ornament Complexity Is Correlated with Sexual Selection: (A Comment on Raia et al., "Cope's Rule and the Universal Scaling Law of Ornament Complexity").

Raia et al. propose that the evolution of the shape and complexity of animal ornaments (e.g., deer antlers) can be explained by interspecific variation in body size and is not influenced by sexual selection. They claim to show that ornament complexity is related to body size by an 0.25-power law and argue that this finding precludes a role for sexual selection in the evolution of ornament complexity. However, their study does not test alternative hypotheses and mismeasures antler shape allometry by omitting much of the published data. We show that an index of sexual selection (sexual size dimorphism) is positively correlated with size-corrected antler complexity and that the allometric slope of complexity is substantially greater than 0.25, contra Raia et al. We conclude that sexual selection and physical constraints both affect the evolution of antler shape.

First occurrence of the extinct deer Haploidoceros in the Iberian Peninsula in the Upper Pleistocene of the Cova del Rinoceront (Castelldefels, Barcelona)

The Cova del Rinoceront is the first site in the Iberian Peninsula where the genus Haploidoceros has been documented. This discovery of abundant remains is also its first recorded occurrence in Europe during the Upper Pleistocene. The new fossil record strengthens claims that this genus was widely distributed during the Pleistocene, occupying a longer time span at least until MIS 5. Cranial and post-cranial skeletal remains ascribed to this species were recovered from the uppermost layers of the Cova del Rinoceront. The diagnostic features that allow these remains to be unequivocally assigned to H. mediterraneus, include their cranial morphology and antler shape, comprising two sickle-shaped beams, curving backwards and laterally, and a long frontal basal tine. This paper highlights the problems of deer systematics and identification given the high degree of fragmentation of the genus, their relatively homogeneous morphology, a virtual absence of reliable characters and the overlap of measurements between species.

Morphological and ecological characteristics of moose, Alces cf. alces (Artiodactyla), from the southeast of Western Siberia in the Late Neopleistocene and Holocene

Fossil, subfossil, and recent materials of moose from the southeast of Western Siberia, including the remains of the skull, antlers, mandibles, and postcranial skeleton, has been analyzed. Adaptive features revealed in the structure of the mandible (a high pars dentalis) suggest that forests were a less typical habitat for ancient moose, compared to recent A. a. alces. The high pars dentalis of the mandible and the shape of antlers, with a long basal part and bifurcated spatula, are indicative of their close relation to A. americanus from Eastern Siberia. Thus, moose from the Late Neopleistocene and Holocene appear to represent the same species as A. americanus. It cannot be excluded, however, that A. cf. alces is a special type of European A. a. alces moose in which the characters convergent to Eastern Siberian A. americanus developed independently, due to habitation in similar open (forest-steppe and steppe) landscapes.

Palaeoecology and palaeoethology of the Plio-Pleistocene genus Cervalces (Cervidae, Mammalia) in Eurasia

ABSTRACT The paleoecology and palaeoethology of the Eurasian species of the extinct genus Cervalces are inferred by morphofunctional comparison with its living relative Alces alces. Most of the characters that differentiate A. alces from all other deer are shared by Cervalces: the peculiar morphology of the cheek teeth; the shape of the premaxillary tips; the long legs; the peculiar morphology of the femur; the extreme fusion of the tarsal elements; the peculiar articular surface of the third phalanx. The most important morpho-skeletal differences between the two genera are: the long nasal bones contiguous with the short premaxillary bones in Cervalces (whereas Alces has very short nasal bones not contiguous with the extremely long premaxillary bones); the stronger and more backward inclined ascending ramus of the mandible in Cervalces; the much wider span of antlers in Cervalces because of its longer beams; the different shape of the antler palmation; the stronger proximal ulna/radius connection in Cervalces. The close similarity between the morphological features of the dentition and postcranial skeleton of Alces and Cervalces suggests that they could have chewed the same kind of food and moved in the same way. However, their quite different facial skeleton and antler shape, should have played some ecological role, even if interpretation of such a role is difficult. Such wide antlers may possibly have served as display organs in open ground. Nevertheless, the common idea that Cervalces should have lived in more open environments than living moose is probably an oversimplification.

Seasonal migration of male red deer (Cervus elaphus) in southern Sweden and consequences for management

Red deer Cervus elaphus is a highly appreciated and intensively managed game species throughout Europe. A common management objective is a sustainable harvest of large trophies. In southern Sweden, management has mainly aimed at preserving the nominate subspecies C. elaphus elaphus. Seasonal migration of red deer males may, however, complicate both harvest management as well as conservation efforts. I used individually identified male red deer in southern Sweden to observe distance travelled from rutting areas to areas used by males in summer and winter. Adult males were identified by antler shape and photo-documented during rut. Photos from the rut were compared to trophies of deer harvested or found dead, to found cast antlers and to stags photographed during summer. From 1969 to 2007, a distance between rutting ground and summer/winter quarters was established for 96 identified stags. An average distance of 14 km and a maximum distance of 47 km were recorded between rut and summer/winter observations. The seasonal migration of males increases the risk of overexploitation of males with harvest in both rutting areas and wintering areas. Harvest management and conservation efforts may fail if males seasonally migrate outside the management unit. The results suggest that seasonal migration must be considered in harvest management and conservation and that there is a need for a regulation of male harvest. Furthermore, the study stresses that the success in deer management of single hunting units, may be largely dependent on the harvest policies in the near surroundings as well as in areas tenths of kilometres away, suggesting that a successful management must rely on co-operation and co-ordination on a landscape scale.

Correlates of horn and antler shape in bovids and cervids

Using analyses that control for phylogeny, we examine whether the shapes of horns and antlers in ungulates are related to style of fighting, environmental factors, mating and social systems, or are simply arbitrary. Many of the predictions that relate horn shape to species' fighting tactics and to their mating and social systems are supported. Bovids with tips facing inwards are likely to wrestle with their horns, be monogamous and solitary, whereas those with tips facing out tend to be polygynous and live in large groups. Smooth horns are used for stabbing, and are found in females of polygynous species living in large groups. In female bovids, twisted horns are found in large species and are used in wrestling whereas, in male bovids, straight horns are found in solitary species. Finally, deer with more than five antler tines tend to be large and to fight by fencing. There was little support for shape of horns and antlers being related to environmental factors, nor were shapes arbitrary as might be expected if they had arisen through female choice. Body size had little effect on these results. In general, monogamous solitary bovids have straight inwardly facing horns whereas polygynous group-living species demonstrate a wide variety of horn shapes.

Testicular histology of cryptorchid black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) of Kodiak island, Alaska

Histological structure of intraabdominally located testes and epididymis of cryptorchid black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) of Kodiak island, Alaska was compared with the gonads of intact deer sampled in the same region. The deer were harvested during the rut and their age, antler and gonadal status were recorded. The seminiferous tubules of cryptorchid bucks were malformed, lined only with Sertoli cells and were devoid of any spermatogenetic activity. A great number of blood vessels including arteries were detected within the remnants of tubules. In addition, inclusions comprised of concentric lamellae, containing most probably calcium salts, were observed in the lumen of degenerated tubules. Conversely, we encountered large areas of cells resembling Leydig cells, exhibiting an abundant cytoplasm. The production of testosterone in these cells would explain why an almost normal antler shape and a quasi-normal antler cycle were often observed in many bilateral cryptorchids. Epididymides accompanying the ectopic testes were devoid of any spermatozoa but otherwise were of almost normal size; only in the bilateral cryptorchid the epithelium was partly malformed. It was concluded, that hypoplastic or cryptorchid testes cause male infertility but the production of testosterone in the less affected Leydig cells is sufficient to initiate and control the antler cycle.

Pedicle and first antler formation in deer: Anatomical, histological, and developmental aspects

Formation of primary cranial appendages (pedicles and first antlers) in deer is initiated by a specialized periosteum, for whichGoss (1983) introduced the term antlerogenic periosteum. The antlerogenic periosteum (AP) is located on the external frontal crests, this area of the deer skull most likely being of neural crest origin. As was discovered byHartwig (1968b) andHartwig andSchrudde (1974), AP is capable of autonomous differentiation even when grafted to other regions of the body, thereby causing the growth of ectopic pedicles and antlers. This means that the cells of the AP are determined for pedicle and antler formation. There is further evidence that the cells forming the bony component of regenerating antlers are derivatives of the AP and that the AP contains crucial morphogenetic information for antler shape. The cells of the AP and its derivative, the antler perichondrium, exhibit features (high glycogen content, long life spanin vitro) that are normally only found in embryonic cells. These findings support our hypothesis, originally based on studies of double-head antlers, that the growth of both primary cranial appendages (pedicles and first antlers) and of regenerated antlers depends on a population of antlerogenic periosteal stem cells.

Effects of retinoic acid on pedicle and first antler growth in a fallow buck ( Dama dama L.)

Unilateral injection of 10 mg all-trans retinoic acid (in 1 ml of castor oil) into the early pedicle anlage of a male fallow deer resulted in accelerated growth of the cranial appendage, and altered pedicle and first antler shape on the treatment side, whereas pedicle and antler growth on the control side, injected with 1 ml of vehicle solution only, was normal. It is concluded that retinoic acid is able to alter pedicle and first antler morphogenesis, presumably by affecting the positional information of the periosteal cells covering the incipient pedicle.

Allozymes and the genetics of antler development in red deer (Cervus elsphus)

In order to examine a previously hypothesized influence of selective hunting on allele frequency changes at some regularly polymorphic allozyme loci in red deer (Cervus eluphus), antler characters, serving as criteria for culling, were examined in relation to electrophoretic variation in two free‐ranging populations of the Vosges, Eastern France, and an enclosure in Central France. When homozygous for the allele Idh‐2125, stags ≥ 2 years old had a significantly higher number of antler points (NAP). When homozygous for the allele Acp‐2100, stags older than 5 years had antlers that were significantly larger for a number of traits (NAP, main beam length and circumference, coronet circumference, brow tine length). Among younger stags, all antler traits in Acp‐2100 homozygotes were significantly smaller than in carriers of the alternative allele, Acp‐285. Our data suggest the presence of at least two independent genetic components (one associated with early development of a high NAP, the other with generally large antler size in adults), affecting antler expression in red deer. Those genetic components, possibly major genes which are chromosomally linked with the allozyme loci studied, compensate or reinforce each other in their phenotypic effects. By playing a role in balancing benefits and costs of male reproductive success, they may be part of a genetic mechanism enabling the rapid adaptation of a population to various environmental and demographic conditions. The three populations studied originate from one another, and, based on an assessment of effective population sizes, it could be demonstrated that selective hunting for antler shape has changed allelic frequencies at the associated marker loci within a few generations.

Expression and relevance of dominance in farmed Rusa deer ( Cervus rusa timorensis)

A group of 50 hinds and four Rusa stags ( Cervus rusa timorensis) were observed over a 2-year period under farming conditions. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression and relevance of dominance. A dominance order was calculated for the hinds. No significant influence of dominance value in relation to calving time, presence or absence of calf, mating time for the following season or the age of the hinds was found. The number of victories in comparison to the total number of interactions between stags was influenced by possession of a full set of antlers for young as well as old stags. However, the antler size or shape did not affect successful participation in the rutting activities of the stags. Hinds did not show a preference for stags based on antler appearance. It is recommended that stags should be velveted so as to minimize differences in antler shape and consequently to reduce dominance interactions between them.

The effect of neurogenic stimulation on the development and growth of bony tissues.

In order to elucidate the mechanisms of neurogenic control of bone development and growth, the effects of traumatic and electric stimulation on the development, size, and shape of antler bone tissue were investigated. Unilateral growth of antler in a female deer was initiated after traumatic stimulation of the frontal bone. Electrical stimulation of antler nerves or antler periosteum resulted in an increase in more than 70% in antler length and over 40% in weight. Stimulation of antler nerves also resulted in abnormal shape of antlers. The role of periosteal nerves and the participation of the central nervous system in the responses to stimulation is discussed.