Between-population differences in the genetic and maternal components of body mass in roe deer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Understanding the genetic and environmental mechanisms governing variation in morphology or phenology in wild populations is currently an important challenge. While there is a general consensus that selection is stronger under stressful conditions, it remains unclear whether the evolutionary potential of traits should increase or decrease with increasingly stressful conditions. Here, we investigate how contrasting environmental conditions during growth may affect the maternal and genetic components of body mass in roe deer, the most abundant and widespread wild ungulate in Western Europe. Body mass is a key life history trait that strongly influences both survival and reproductive performance in large herbivores. We used pedigrees and animal models to determine the varia

SUBMITTER: Quemere E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5872551 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature