Biometrical study to evaluate the relationship between body parameters and winter feeding resources in central Italy Apennine roe deer population

The study analyses the biometrical data obtained from animals pertaining to class 0 (0-11 months) and 2 (over 2 years), in roe deer population of central Italy Apennine. The biometrical analysis was performed on body and cranial parameters of 234 roe deer obtained by selective shooting. For the mandible morphometric analysis, 58 samples were treated with the GeoGebra’s program. To evaluate the relationship between size/shape of body structure/parameters and the feeding resources available during the autumn-winter period, an environmental category (derived from the carrying capacity of forest ecosystems relative to the hunting zone/district) was attributed to each specimen. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA. Shape variables were generated using Generalized Procustes TPS Analysis program. In class 0 the analysis showed no significant differences neither between sex nor among environmental categories. In class 2 the analysis showed significant differences for four body parameters (but not for the cranial ones) between sex; among environmental categories the mandible length showed significant differences, in addition there is an increasing trend for tooth line and body weight from lower to higher environmental category. Males pertaining to class 2 showed an increasing trend in the tooth line related to environmental category; in females, this parameter had similar values in the different environmental categories, while the mandible length showed significant differences inversely linked to environmental category. Shape analysis showed a more open mandibular angle in class 0 subjects living in the hunting zone characterized by highest feeding resources; however, additional data occur to confirm this statement.