Influence of Density on Growth of White-Tailed Deer

摘要: Age and mass data from 9,956 white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) South Carolina were used to examine the relationship between growth patterns of each sex population density. Growth parameters for 16 annual cohorts born 1965 1981 derived with a Richards function; sizes estimated competing risks model. There significant relationships males, but not females, Males grew more slowly reached smaller adult masses at highest densities. The growth-density association was weakest in young strongest males 1.5–2.5 years age. Sex-specific differences may be due energetic costs associated competition among mates or higher use marginal habitats by than females. One consequence sex-specific density rates size is decrease sexual dimorphism greater