Density dependence of developmental instability in a dimorphic ungulate
Serrano Ferron, Emmanuel (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge)
Angibault, Jean-Marc (CEFS-INRA)
Cargnelutti, Bruno (CEFS-INRA)
Hewison, J. Mark (CEFS-INRA)

Date:	2008
Abstract:	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.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Veterinària ; Diferències entre sexes ; Body condition ; Fluctuating asymmetry ; Sexual dimorphism
Published in:	Biology letters, Núm. 4 (2008) , p. 512, ISSN 1744-957X

DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2008.0221
PMID: 18559310

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Health sciences and biosciences > Research group Wildlife Ecology & Health
Articles > Research articles
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