Ecological factors affecting eruption timing of mandibular teeth in roe deer

摘要: Increasing evidence suggests that conditions in early life have important consequences for body size and fitness mammals. As regards herbivores, teeth play a central role the long-term performance of individuals. So far, however, patterns eruption been scarcely investigated relation to environmental climatic factors experienced by herbivores. We described timing mandibular population roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) located Apennines (Central Italy), through analysis 2161 jaws fawns (1176 females 985 males) shot their first winter over three hunting seasons (2013–2015). Results showed percentage juveniles exhibiting permanent depends on cohort. Among may affect both incisiviform molariform replacement timing, our findings include mass density. Additional determining relative speed are (1) food availability mother during last part gestation, birth period lactation, (2) temperature mother, (3) summer autumn. Besides, time literature, elevation was reported delay front replacement. A greater number were found shape third molar (M3) comparison teeth. Also, different pattern males females. The M3 is, indeed, costly long-lasting process requesting optimal nutritional meeting threshold jaw size. Our results indicate strong correlation between process, i.e., resource gestation rearing periods timing.