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Updated: Mar 6, 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
Antlers and parasites
Iva Folstad1, Per Arneberg2, Andrew J Karter2
1Department of Ecology/Zoology, IBG, University of Tromsø, 9037, Tromsø, Norway. ivarf@ibg.uit.no.
Abstract:
Development of ornamental characters exposed to directional selection may be particularly sensitive to the effect of parasitic infections. Antlers are ornamental characters of importance in intraspecific interactions, and are in reindeer (Rangifer) developed by both males and females. By antihelmintic treatment of naturally infected female reindeer we show that parasite intensities affect development of antler asymmetry, but not antler length. These results suggest that asymmetry in antlers may reflect parasite intensities and thus be of importance in intraspecific assessment of genetic resistance towards infectious organisms.
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