Seasonal variation in sex ratios and survival rates of white-tailed deer fawns

摘要: Since Trivers and Willard (1973) first proposed their hypothesis concerning the adaptive investment of a mother in sex her offspring, it has been at forefront scientific research ratios with most subsequent studies focusing on maternal condition as key contributor to variations ratios. Another factor that could greatly influence ratios, although only infrequently examined mammalian species, is birth date. We investigated how date influenced offspring white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). can an individual’s fitness reproductive success we suggest may be alternative strategy determining predicted females bias ratio order produce will likely increase lifetime fitness, hypothesized differentially male earlier season. Offspring born have head start development therefore greater potential for increased body size dominance later life, traits which success. In this study, found did not affect captive population Michigan; however, did.