PERIODICITY OF GROWTH IN UNGULATES AS SHOWN BY DEER OF THE GENUS ODOCOILEUS

Abstract

A study of growth in four racial stocks of the black-tailed deer, Odocoileus hemionus, has, under captive circumstances with ideal diet, revealed that the traditional expressions of the growth patterns of a species are inadequate. Graphic expression of growth in this species requires the use of four curves; one describes prepubertal growth, a second the actual course of weight change through an annual cycle of growth rate; the third describes the annual progression of maximum weights reached; and the fourth the progression of minimum weights reached. Each of these conveys information essential to an understanding of growth in the species. The formulas of lines 1, 3, and 4 are presented for representative males in each of the experimental stocks. Racial characteristics are demonstrated.