The Costs of Reproduction to Red Deer Hinds

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1983
Authors:Clutton-Brock, TH, Guinness, FE, Albon, SD
Journal:Journal of Animal Ecology
Volume:52
Pagination:367-383
Date Published:1983
ISBN Number:00218790
Keywords:Cervus elaphus
Abstract:

(1) Successful reproduction by red deer (Cervus elaphus) hinds reduced the mother's body condition, survival and fecundity during the next breeding season. The effects of successful reproduction on fecundity were modified by population density as well as by the mother's age, and the birth date and sex of her calf. (2) In contrast, successful reproduction in one year had little effect on the birth weight, survival or growth of any calf produced the following season--apparently because non-breeding (yeld) hinds lost a higher proportion of their body reserves during the winter months than successful breeders (milk hinds). (3) Although mothers that conceived again in the year following the birth of a calf weaned their calves earlier than those that failed to breed again, this difference had no obvious effect on the survival of the previous calf. (4) Increases in the size of matrilineal groups of hinds reduced the reproductive performance of their members. This effect should be included among the costs of successful reproduction.

URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/4560
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