Masculinization? Rare variation in canine length among female water deer (Hydropotes inermis) can lead to errors in sex identification
Most cervids feature antlers for mate competition, but water deer possess uniquely elongated maxillary canines instead. This study examined the presence of elongated canines, a trait usually seen in males, in female water deer from 185 individuals culled in South Korea. Measurements of body length,...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
KeAi Communications Co. Ltd.
2025-03-01
|
| Series: | Reproduction and Breeding |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667071224000528 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850229516390105088 |
|---|---|
| author | Seong-Min Lee |
| author_facet | Seong-Min Lee |
| author_sort | Seong-Min Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Most cervids feature antlers for mate competition, but water deer possess uniquely elongated maxillary canines instead. This study examined the presence of elongated canines, a trait usually seen in males, in female water deer from 185 individuals culled in South Korea. Measurements of body length, height, and mass were recorded, along with assessments of reproductive capability. The results showed that 1.6 % of the females exhibited elongated canines, retaining their fertility. Their body sizes remained within the typical range for their same age group, with their canines continuing to grow for at least three years. Thus, this rare variation, which is similar to males, may lead to infrequent errors in sex identification based on physical appearance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e78297f8cf814f0abae73f0220bf56fc |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2667-0712 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Reproduction and Breeding |
| spelling | doaj-art-e78297f8cf814f0abae73f0220bf56fc2025-08-20T02:04:11ZengKeAi Communications Co. Ltd.Reproduction and Breeding2667-07122025-03-01511410.1016/j.repbre.2024.10.001Masculinization? Rare variation in canine length among female water deer (Hydropotes inermis) can lead to errors in sex identificationSeong-Min Lee0Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of KoreaMost cervids feature antlers for mate competition, but water deer possess uniquely elongated maxillary canines instead. This study examined the presence of elongated canines, a trait usually seen in males, in female water deer from 185 individuals culled in South Korea. Measurements of body length, height, and mass were recorded, along with assessments of reproductive capability. The results showed that 1.6 % of the females exhibited elongated canines, retaining their fertility. Their body sizes remained within the typical range for their same age group, with their canines continuing to grow for at least three years. Thus, this rare variation, which is similar to males, may lead to infrequent errors in sex identification based on physical appearance.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667071224000528Antlered doesCanine growthCervidaeMale-like appearanceSex identification |
| spellingShingle | Seong-Min Lee Masculinization? Rare variation in canine length among female water deer (Hydropotes inermis) can lead to errors in sex identification Reproduction and Breeding Antlered does Canine growth Cervidae Male-like appearance Sex identification |
| title | Masculinization? Rare variation in canine length among female water deer (Hydropotes inermis) can lead to errors in sex identification |
| title_full | Masculinization? Rare variation in canine length among female water deer (Hydropotes inermis) can lead to errors in sex identification |
| title_fullStr | Masculinization? Rare variation in canine length among female water deer (Hydropotes inermis) can lead to errors in sex identification |
| title_full_unstemmed | Masculinization? Rare variation in canine length among female water deer (Hydropotes inermis) can lead to errors in sex identification |
| title_short | Masculinization? Rare variation in canine length among female water deer (Hydropotes inermis) can lead to errors in sex identification |
| title_sort | masculinization rare variation in canine length among female water deer hydropotes inermis can lead to errors in sex identification |
| topic | Antlered does Canine growth Cervidae Male-like appearance Sex identification |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667071224000528 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT seongminlee masculinizationrarevariationincaninelengthamongfemalewaterdeerhydropotesinermiscanleadtoerrorsinsexidentification |