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Fluctuating Asymmetry In Elk Cervus Elaphus Antlers Is Unrelated To Environmental Conditions In The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Scott L. Eggeman, Mark Hebblewhite, Julie Cunningham, Ken Hamlin

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is a measure of the deviation from perfect bilateral symmetry, and has been used across mammals as a reliable indicator of environmental stress during growth and development. Antler size and symmetry can be an indicator of individual fitness and social rank among ungulates such as the North American elk Cervus elaphus. When environmental conditions are favourable, ungulates allocate additional resources to antler development to increase secondary sexual traits and enhance reproduction. We tested whether there was an appreciable change in antler length and the number of points as extreme climatic conditions (e.g. heavy snow and drought) …