History Of Deer Research Articles

A new viewpoint on antlers reveals the evolutionary history of deer (Cervidae, Mammalia)

Recent molecular phylogeny of deer revealed that the characters of antlers previously focused on are homoplasious, and antlers tend to be considered problematic for classification. However, we think antlers are important tools and reconsidered and analysed the characters and structures to use them for classification. This study developed a method to describe the branching structure of antlers by using antler grooves, which are formed on the antlers by growth, and then projecting the position of the branching directions of tines on the burr circumference. By making diagrams, comparing the branching structure interspecifically, homologous elements (tines, beams, and processes) of the antlers of 25 species of 16 genera were determined. Subsequently, ancestral state reconstruction was performed on the fixed molecular phylogenetic tree. It was revealed that Capreolinae and Cervini gained respective three-pointed antlers independently, and their subclades gained synapomorphous tines. We found new homologous and synapomorphous characters, as the antler of Eld’s deer, which has been classified in Rucervus, is structurally close to that of Elaphurus rather than that of Rucervus, consistent with molecular phylogeny. The methods of this study will contribute to the understanding of the branching structure and phylogeny of fossil species and uncover the evolutionary history of Cervidae.

The natural history of deer

The natural history of deer

Relationship of Sex and Age to Strontium-90 Accumulation in White-Tailed Deer Mandibles

Mandibles (plus teeth) of 68 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) of various age-classes were collected in December, 1959, at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, to study strontium-90 distribution within a deer herd. No statistically significant difference was observed in the mean strontium90 accumulated by males and females, but there was a significant difference between age-classes. Further, there was no significant age-class-sex interaction, implying that the difference between age-classes was independent of sex. The amount of strontium-90 in the mandible was correlated with year of birth and the annual strontium-90 increment and total strontium-90 in the soil. There were no statistically significant differences between the variances of the age-classes of either sex. Considerable variation in the strontium-90 content of mandibles within age-classes was observed. Since the advent of the atomic age there has been concern about the accumulation of radionuclides by wildlife populations and the effect of such accumulation on wildlife and on persons consuming harvested game animals. Atmospheric nuclear testing and underground testing, where venting occurs, results in introduction of radionuclides into the biosphere. As a result of short physical half-lifes, many of these nuclides are transitory. Historically, major interest has been directed toward carbon-14, cesium-137, iodine-131, and strontium-90. With the exception of iodine-131, these radionuclides have relatively long physical half-lifes. Strontium-90 has a physical half-life of 27 years and a biological half-life in mammals of about 7.5 years (Hawthorn 1959: 1294). It emits only beta particles, has chemical properties similar to calcium, and is deposited in bone where it has a long residence time. This paper is a report on strontium-90 concentrations observed in deer mandibles (plus teeth) collected from a herd of whitetailed deer at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, December, 1959. The paper deals specifically with the concentration of strontium-90 in mandibles by sexes and ageclasses of this herd and with the variability in strontium-90 deposition observed. T Aberdeen Proving Ground herd is unique in Maryland. According to Flyger (1958), the herd is apparently at the limit the habitat can sustain. He has observed that it is not unusual to count 100-200 deer in one morning and that a distinct browse line is evident on the area. Instances of mass mortality have occurred in this herd and the average weight of the deer is 20 pounds less than for deer of the same age-class from western Maryland (Flyger 1958). The only published commentary on the past history of deer in this study area is that of Bullene (1949). He states that when the U. S. Government acquired the area in 1917 there were a few deer. We have received unconfirmed reports that deer were not present on the area at that time, that deer were released in 1932 and 1933, that the stock apparently came from Pennsylvania-probably Indian Town Gap Military Reservation -and consisted of one buck and three does. Regardless of the source of deer, it is quite evident that the initial population was very low and that, as a result of fencing, a mimimum influx into the area occurred, thus resulting in a highly inbred herd. The literature on strontium-90 accumulation in deer bone is rather limited. French (1960) analyzed a deer bone collected in the tropics of Ecuador in 1958 which contained

Management of Deer and Cattle on the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas

The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of 47,325 acres, is located near Austwell on the Black Jack Peninsula. The presence of many deer there has resulted from almost total protection from hunting and some reintroduction during a period of 16 years. Previously there was only a small remnant of the original population. Problems are arising from the presence of cattle, but they have not reached the critical stage of similar dual-use areas of concern on some western ranges. History of Deer Population.-A good many deer occupied this sparsely populated region until about the middle of the nineteenth century. Allen (1894) quotes a Captain Bailey who said that thousands of deer died here from blacktongue in 1857 or 1858. Deer were rare on the peninsula in the early nineties but were quite numerous on Saint Joseph Island, where they are protected by Messrs. Wood and Allyn, who own the island and use it as a cattle and sheep (Allen, 1894). The northern part of Saint Joseph Island lies less than two miles off the southeastern part of the Black Jack Peninsula, separated by the shallow waters of San Antonio Bay. Possibly, as deer were removed from the mainland, others emigrated to the peninsula from the nearby protected islands. Between 1913 and 1928, deer were not plentiful in the area, although by careful hunting one could secure venison at any time. The local residents did not utilize deer to any extent as the meat of domestic cattle and hogs was better. This fact may have been a contributing factor in the survival of deer in the relatively small but brushy areas in this region. In 1919 Leroy G. Denman of the San Antonio Loan and Trust Company took over the management of the ranch on Black Jack Peninsula. He reported few deer and many hunters between 1919 and 1924. In 1924, a seven foot wire fence with locked gates was installed, and every effort was made to keep out hunters. Denman then introduced deer into the area as follows: 1925-1926: Five or six Texas deer, caught by friends of Mr. Denman.