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The Antler Cycle and Fecal Testosterone of Male Sambar Deer Rusa unicolor unicolor at the Horton Plains National Park in Sri Lanka
Joint Authors
Perera, Sandun J.
Weerasekera, D. S.
Nanayakkara, D. K. K.
Herath, H. M. S. S.
Rathnasekara, A. N. L.
Ranawana, K. B.
Source
Issue
Vol. 2020, Issue 2020 (31 Dec. 2020), pp.1-7, 7 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2020-06-13
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
7
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
This study is aimed at evaluating the relationship between endogenous testosterone levels and antler development in male sambar deer (Rusa unicolor unicolor) inhabiting the Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka.
Seven antler growth stages of sambar were documented based on phenotypic observations for the first time in Sri Lanka as (a) cast, (b) growing 1—single spike, (c) growing 2—antler fork into a Y as the second tine appears, (d) growing 3—velvet begins to harden as the third tine appears, (e) growth completed—velvet shedding begins, (f) hard antler, and (g) casting.
Fecal samples were collected every month for a period of eighteen months from male sambar deer in different stages of the antler growth cycle, feeding in the wet patana grasslands of the park, and the fecal testosterone level was estimated by radioimmunoassay.
Ten animals were randomly selected from each antler stage for the experiment.
The results disclose that the highest concentrations of testosterone were recorded in the hard antler stage.
Velvet shedding was preceded by an increase in the testosterone level, and it is the sudden drop in the testosterone concentration which triggers the antler casting.
The casting stage corresponded with the lowest mean testosterone concentration.
Although the study was able to conclude a clear relationship between the fecal testosterone levels of the male sambar deer in the Horton Plains National Park and their antler stages, there is no clear seasonality for the antler cycle.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Weerasekera, D. S.& Perera, Sandun J.& Nanayakkara, D. K. K.& Herath, H. M. S. S.& Rathnasekara, A. N. L.& Ranawana, K. B.. 2020. The Antler Cycle and Fecal Testosterone of Male Sambar Deer Rusa unicolor unicolor at the Horton Plains National Park in Sri Lanka. BioMed Research International،Vol. 2020, no. 2020, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1136306
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Weerasekera, D. S.…[et al.]. The Antler Cycle and Fecal Testosterone of Male Sambar Deer Rusa unicolor unicolor at the Horton Plains National Park in Sri Lanka. BioMed Research International No. 2020 (2020), pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1136306
American Medical Association (AMA)
Weerasekera, D. S.& Perera, Sandun J.& Nanayakkara, D. K. K.& Herath, H. M. S. S.& Rathnasekara, A. N. L.& Ranawana, K. B.. The Antler Cycle and Fecal Testosterone of Male Sambar Deer Rusa unicolor unicolor at the Horton Plains National Park in Sri Lanka. BioMed Research International. 2020. Vol. 2020, no. 2020, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1136306
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1136306