Mate Choice, Reproductive Success, and How Population Demography Influences Fawning Season of White-tailed Deer
Metadata Field | Value | Language |
---|---|---|
dc.contributor.advisor | Ditchkoff, Stephen S. | |
dc.contributor.advisor | Steury, Todd | |
dc.contributor.advisor | Smith, Mark | |
dc.contributor.author | Neuman, Timothy Joseph | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2014-05-13T14:19:33Z | |
dc.date.available | 2014-05-13T14:19:33Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2014-05-13 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10415/4159 | |
dc.description.abstract | Mate choice of white-tailed deer based on age and body size is poorly understood. I studied a captive population to evaluate mate choice and reproductive success. Age differences between mated pairs did not differ from random pairings and I found no apparent relationship of skeletal size between mated pairs. My results highlight the plasticity of mating success and reveal the mating system of white-tailed deer has evolved to maximize fertility. Sex ratio and age class may influence timing and duration of the fawning season. I recorded birth date of fawns born within a 174-ha captive facility. The herd was intensively monitored which allowed me to document an earlier shift in fawning following a maturation of age structure. Earlier fawning may be important for neonatal development and survival, especially in areas of the Southeast where coyotes are reducing recruitment. I hypothesize managers can increase neonate development and survival by increasing male age structure. | en_US |
dc.rights | EMBARGO_NOT_AUBURN | en_US |
dc.subject | Forestry and Wildlife Sciences | en_US |
dc.title | Mate Choice, Reproductive Success, and How Population Demography Influences Fawning Season of White-tailed Deer | en_US |
dc.type | thesis | en_US |
dc.embargo.length | NO_RESTRICTION | en_US |
dc.embargo.status | NOT_EMBARGOED | en_US |