Seasonal Patterns of Hog Deer (Axis porcinus) Antler Development in Sri Lanka

• Authors: Shash Madhushanka , Danushka S. Weerasekara , Mihiran Medawala , Kithsiri B. Ranawana
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Cervids exhibit an antler cycle closely tied to environmental cues, notably photoperiod, which regulates growth, mineralization, velvet shedding, and casting stages, aligning with seasonal shifts in temperate regions. However, in a tropical country like Sri Lanka, where photoperiod variation is minimal, it remains unclear how introduced cervid species such as the hog deer (Axis porcinus) regulate their antler cycles. This study investigates the antler cycle of hog deer aging between one and five years in a tropical environment, focusing on the timing of antler development. Data collected from a captive population in Sri Lanka over five years allowed for detailed classification of antler stages by age, morphology, and season. Three primary stages — Single Spike, Short Forked Antler, and Long Three-Spiked Antler — were observed, with further categorization into Velvet and Hard Antler stages, each displaying distinct timing and progression aligned with resource availability. Notably, antler development in hog deer retained a seasonal structure, with the Velvet Antler phase occurring from February to March and the Hard Antler phase extending from April through January, consistent with the species’ reproductive timing in its native range. These results suggest that despite a stable tropical environment, hog deer maintain seasonally adaptive antler patterns, underscoring the persistence of evolutionary traits in non-native settings. This research contributes to understanding cervid biology in tropical ecosystems and informs management strategies for hog deer in Sri Lanka, highlighting the importance of considering seasonal behaviors in conservation efforts as environmental conditions evolve.

Keywords

EN

Antler; Development; Hog deer; Seasonal; Stage

Discipline

• ZOOLOGY: ZOOLOGY

• Publisher: Scientific Publishing House „DARWIN”
• Journal: World News of Natural Sciences
• Year: 2025
• Volume: 58
• Pages: 142-149

Contributors

author

Shash Madhushanka

• Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Kandy, Sri Lanka

author

Danushka S. Weerasekara

• Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Kandy, Sri Lanka

author

Mihiran Medawala

• Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Kandy, Sri Lanka

author

Kithsiri B. Ranawana

• Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

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• Document Type: article