How does environmental variation influence body mass, body size, and body condition? Roe deer as a case study. - INRAE - Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement
Article Dans Une Revue Ecography Année : 2006

How does environmental variation influence body mass, body size, and body condition? Roe deer as a case study.

Résumé

We tested the influence of population density and of drought intensity (measured as the Gaussen Index in spring and summer of the year of birth) on winter body mass, hind foot length, and body condition of roe deer fawns. Body mass decreased with increasing density and increased with increasing Gaussen Index in summer, in a similar way for both males and females. Hind foot length of males showed the same response. On the other hand, hind foot length of females decreased with increasing density only after dry summers, hence when environmental conditions were very harsh. Body condition was affected neither by density nor by drought intensity. Our results indicate that body mass and size are much better indicators of phenotypic quality than body condition in roe deer. The sex-specific responses of body size to environmental conditions could correspond to a differential allocation in favour of daughters by heavier than average roe deer mothers.

Dates et versions

hal-02663788 , version 1 (31-05-2020)

Identifiants

Citer

Carole Toïgo, Jean-Michel Gaillard, Guy van Laere, Mark Hewison, Nicolas Morellet. How does environmental variation influence body mass, body size, and body condition? Roe deer as a case study.. Ecography, 2006, 29 (3), pp.301-308. ⟨10.1111/j.2006.0906-7590.04394.x⟩. ⟨hal-02663788⟩
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