Novel object test in farmed fallow deer (Dama dama) – The impact on appearance, diurnal rhythm and behaviour in the foraging area

Fallow deer (Dama dama) are the most common breeding species among farmed cervids in Poland. Monitoring the animals’ health, nutritional status, and welfare are highly important aspects in their breeding. Haematological variables are important indicators for comparing the physiological status of the animals and for monitoring the changes in the organism related to the adaptation to the breeding conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the day’s length and the total protein content in the diet for the farmed fallow deer on the selected haematological variables. The study demonstrated a significant decline in the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and an increase of the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (P < 0.05) in all the animals after the winter period. However, the animal group exposed to prolonged daylight exhibited a significant increase in the platelet distribution width (PDW) and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR) (P < 0.05). In turn, the group receiving a lower amount of protein in the diet was characterised by a significant reduction in the platelet count (PLT) (P < 0.05). Thus, the length of daylight and the protein content of the diet for fallow deer exert a significant impact on several haematological characteristics, which may serve as indicators of an animal’s nutritional status and welfare.

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Density dependence of developmental instability in a dimorphic ungulate

Biology Letters ◽

10.1098/rsbl.2008.0221 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 4 (5) ◽

pp. 512-514 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Emmanuel Serrano ◽

Jean-Marc Angibault ◽

Bruno Cargnelutti ◽

A. J. Mark Hewison

Keyword(s):

Population Density ◽

Environmental Stress ◽

Density Dependence ◽

Fallow Deer ◽

Individual Quality ◽

High Population Density ◽

Dama Dama ◽

The Impact ◽

Number Of Individuals ◽

First Time

The use of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) for biomonitoring environmental stress is limited by the lack of work on how FA in particular traits responds to specific stresses. Here, by manipulating the number of individuals in an enclosed fallow deer ( Dama dama ) population, we describe, for the first time, clear density dependence in the FA of juvenile jaw morphology. The impact of high population density on FA was strong for both sexes, supporting the use of FA for indexing environmental stress. In addition, there was some indication that the change in FA was greater in males (43.6%) than females (28.5%). Finally, the ability to buffer density-dependent stress was independent of body condition. We suggest that, under highly limiting conditions, whole cohorts may be unable to buffer against developmental error, irrespective of individual quality.

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