Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Protocol for Assessing the Relative Effects of Environment and Genetics on Antler and Body Growth for a Long-lived Cervid
Published on: August 8, 2017
Horn growth patterns in Alpine chamois
Luca Corlatti1, Alessandro Gugiatti2, Simona Imperio3
1Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria; Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
Alpine chamois horn growth is influenced by sex and age, showing recovery growth patterns. Male chamois exhibit greater recovery rates, potentially linked to hunting selectivity and resource allocation plasticity.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Horn growth in ungulates reflects metabolic resource allocation to sexual traits.
- Horn size can be influenced by sex, age, resource availability, and selective pressures.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate horn growth patterns in Alpine chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra).
- Analyze factors affecting horn growth, including sex, age, hunting location, and cohort.
- Examine compensatory and recovery growth mechanisms in relation to sex and population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of horn growth annuli in two hunted Alpine chamois populations.
- Statistical modeling to assess the influence of sex, age, hunting location, and cohort on annulus length.
- Evaluation of compensatory and recovery growth trajectories.
Main Results:
- Annulus length varied significantly with sex and age, and marginally with hunting location.
- No significant effect of cohort or individual heterogeneity on horn growth was detected.
- Both sexes exhibited recovery growth, with greater rates in males; populations differed in early-life compensatory growth.
Conclusions:
- Horn development in Alpine chamois is sex- and age-dependent, with recovery growth supporting the idea of weakly selected sexual traits.
- Greater male compensation rates may indicate hunting's selective effect on reproduction age.
- Population-specific differences in compensation suggest plasticity in resource allocation to sexual traits.
Related Concept Videos
Meristems and Plant Growth
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types
Primary and Secondary Growth in Roots and Shoots
Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue
Multipotency and Niche of Bulge Stem Cell
Other Algae

