Analysis of Morphometrical Characteristics of Antlers and Carcase Weight of Red Deer Stags (Cervus elaphus, L. 1758) in the State Hunting Ground Podunavlje – Podravlje XIV/9 Through Period 2001. – 2006.

Rad predstavlja analizu morfometrijskih parametara rogovlja i tjelesne težine vrste jelen obični (Cervus elaphus, L.) na području lovišta “Podunavlje – Podravlje XIV/9”. Detaljno su analizirani parametri CIC formule za ocjenjivanje jelenskog rogovlja koji su temeljeni isključivo na izmjeri ili brojanju. Na taj način se nastojalo izbjeći subjektivnim dijelovima CIC formule (točke za ljepotu). Mjerena je tjelesna težina grla (neto), težina trofeja, duljina grane rogovlja, opseg vijenca, duljina nadočnjaka, duljina, srednjaka, opseg između nadočnjaka i srednjaka, opseg između srednjaka i krune, broj parožaka i vrijednost u CIC točkama. Podaci su grupirani u sljedeće dobne razrede: mužjaci do godinu dana starosti, mužjaci od godinu do dvije godine starosti, mužjaci tri do pet godina starosti, mužjaci pet do osam godina starosti, mužjaci devet i više godina starosti. Dobiveni rezultati definirali su minimalnu, maksimalnu i prosječnu vrijednost svakog pojedinog parametra. Dobiveni rezultati mogu biti pokazatelji daljnih uzgojno – selekcijskih mjera u populaciji ovog lovišta.This paper presents the analysis of morphometrical parameters of antlers and body weight for the species of red deer (Cervus elaphus, L.) in the game preserve “Podunavlje – Podravlje XIV/9”. The parameters of the CIC formula for evaluation of deer antlers which were analysed in detail are based exclusively on measurement or counting. That way we tried to avoid the more subjective parts of the CIC formula (points for beauty). The following parameters were measured: net weight, trophy weight, length of antler branch, crown perimeter, first tine length, third tine length, perimeter between first and middle tine, perimeter between third tine and crown, number of tines and value in CIC points. The data is grouped into the following age classes: males up to one year of age, males between one and two years of age, males between three and five years of age, males between five and eight years of age, males of nine years of age and older. The obtained results enabled the definition of a minimum, maximum and average value for each parameter. The obtained results can be used as indicatives for further breeding and selection measures in the population of this game preserve

Mogu li elementi ocjene trofeja poslužiti kao populacijski indeksi u cervida?:Primjer na jelenu običnom iz brdskog područja Panonske nizine

The most frequently utilized population quality indices in cervids were a fluctuating asymmetry or a branch length in yearlings. Nevertheless, unlike bovids, there has not been a reliable quality index so far that could also be applied at a later age. Therefore, an application reliability testing pertaining to certain elements of trophy measurement for the sake of difference detection between the cohorts was performed on a sample numbering 225 trophies of red deer stags from 11 cohorts. Although each of the nine trophy variables tested has succeeded in finding certain differences, the most reliable are the overall trophy value and circumferences (circumference of coronets, lower beam circumference and upper beam circumference). Since various trophy evaluation systems have been applied in the world, the implementation of the overall trophy value is limited only to the trophies evaluated pursuant to the CIC system. Hence, the most reliable indices are those based upon circumferences.Kod cervida je izbor praktičnog populacijskog indeksa složeniji nego u bovida. Rogovlje nose uglavnom mužjaci (postoje i vrste kod kojih su oba spola šuta) i ono uglavnom predstavlja lovački trofej te je težište lovnog gospodarenja u većini zemalja usmjereno proizvodnji tog derivata. Stoga je i za očekivati da su se populacijski indeksi u cervida trebali razvijati upravo na bazi pojedinih elemenata izmjere trofeja (rogovlja). Za očekivati je kako u uvjetima prihrane cervida ne bi smjelo biti velikih razlika u kohortama neke populacije. No, postavlja se pitanje koji je od populacijskih indeksa dovoljno “osjetljiv” u prepoznavanju razlika. Budući da ocjenjivanje rogovlja ima relativno dugu tradiciju u srednjoj Europi, u posljednje vrijeme postavlja se pitanje da li je podloga ocjenjivanja isključivo predmet lovačkih nadmetanja ili izmjerene vrijednosti elemenata ocjene trofeja mogu poslužiti za procjenu kvalitete populacije. Stoga je svrha ovoga rada ispitati može li se trofejna snaga upotrijebiti kao populacijski indeks.Istraživanje je provedeno na trofejima jelena običnog iz državnog lovišta “Garjevica”, koje se nalazi u središnjem dijelu panonskog područja Hrvatske u istočnom dijelu Moslavačke gore (Fig. 1) Za analizu su uzimani podaci iz trofejnih listova rogovlja jelena običnog ocijenjeni prema pravilima CIC-a: duljina grana, duljina nadočnjaka, duljina srednjaka, opseg vijenca, opseg grane između nadočnjaka i srednjaka (donji opseg) opseg grane između srednjaka i krune (gornji opseg) masa rogovlja, broj parožaka i trofejna vrijednost. Dob jelena određivana je brojanjem naslaga zubnog cementa na prvom donjem kutnjaku (M1). Na temelju godine odstrela (ili uginuća) jelena i procijenjene dobi, određivana je godina u kojoj je grlo oteljeno (kohorta). Nakon toga je načinjena usporedba kohorti za svaku vrijednost spomenutih elemenata ocjene trofeja, kao i za ukupnu trofejnu vrijednost.Rezultati analize kovarijance pokazali su kako s obzirom na parametar (indikator), broj otkrivenih razlika među kohortama varira (Tablica 1 do 9). Najviše signifikantnih razlika u kohortama moguće je otkriti trofejnom vrijednošću (35 od 55, 64 %), gornjim opsegom (35 razlika, 64 %), opsegom vijenaca (34 razlika, 62 %), masom rogovlja (31 od 55, 56 %) i donjim opsegom (30 od 55, 55 %). Parametrima duljina moguće je otkriti nešto manje razlike. Najmanje razlika otkriveno je duljinom srednjaka (15 od 55, 27 %), a nešto više duljinom grane i duljinom nadočnjaka (29 od 55, 53 %), dok je s pomoću broja parožaka broj otkrivenih razlika bio najmanji – svega 16 (29 %). Broj kvalitativnih skupina koje je svaki pojedini parametar uspio prepoznati varira od 4 do 8. Kako se broj skupina bazira na broju ustanovljenih signifikantnih razlika, što je više pronađenih razlika uporabljivost nekog parametra trebala bi biti viša. Međutim, pomoću mase rogovlja dobiveno je 8 skupina koje se uglavnom međusobno signifikantno ne razlikuju. Mali broj skupina dobiven primjenom duljine srednjaka i broja parožaka nije uspio jasno izdvojiti najbolje kohorte, tako da je u kategoriju “najboljih” stavio i neke osrednje (1992 i 1993). Stoga bi se kao indikator procjene kvalitete populacije u budućnosti mogla koristiti ukupna trofejna vrijednost, ali i opsezi (opseg vijenaca, donji i gornji opseg) budući da su kao kvalitetnije kohorte uspjeli izdvojiti iste kohorte – 1994, 1995, 1996 i 1997.Rezimirajući rezultate naših istraživanja, može se reći kako su uglavnom potvrđene razlike u razini gospodarenja jelenom običnim u istraživanom lovištu. Kohorte s početka intenzivnog gospodarenja (druga polovica 1980-ih i početak 1990-ih godina) imaju niže vrijednosti parametara od kohorti koje su došle na svijet tijekom intenzivnog gospodarenja (sredina 1990-ih godina 20. stoljeća.)

The Influence of Keeping Pheasants in Captivity vs. Nature on the Biological Value of Meat and its Use in Human Nutrition

The life of game birds (pheasants) in nature is coupled with a number of difficulties in all seasons of the year. This refers to finding food, breeding, laying eggs, raising the young, fleeing from their natural enemies and lack of protection from unfavorable climatic conditions. The pheasants that live in captivity – aviaries for pheasants – do not have such difficulties – they are fed regularly by quality feed for pheasants, they are protected from bad weather and natural enemies. Our research was aimed at determining the biological value of meat of pheasants grown in the two different settings – in captivity and in nature. The highest weight achieved wild pheasant males (1232.4 ± 147.36 g). The differences between tested pheasant groups were statistically very high significant (P<0.001). The differences between groups related to breast weight and tights with drumsticks weight were statistically very high significant (P<0.001). Between breast parts (%) and legs parts (%) were notified very high (P<0.001) i.e. high (P = 0.002) differences. The highest weight breast muscles and tights with drumsticks had wild pheasants (282.6 ± 63.53 g i.e. 206.2 ± 37.88g). Wilde pheasants had lower part (%) and lighter (g) skin with subcutaneous fatty tissue on breasts. Female pheasants cultivated on both ways had higher skin part (%) and subcutaneous fatty tissue in tights with drumsticks. Related to chemical composition of breast muscles is established statistically significant differences (P<0.001 i.s. P= 0.040)) in part of Ca (%) and P (%). In wild pheasant tights with drumsticks muscles established statistically very significant (P<0.001) higher part of moisture, protein and Ca, i.e. statistically very high significant (P<0.001) lower part of fat and energetic value. Research results indicate that the quality of meat of pheasants grown in nature has higher biological value than the meat of pheasants kept in aviaries, which means it has advantages in human nutrition

Bee Community as a Source of Energy in the Production of Food, Honey-plants in the Ecosystem of Croatian Forests’ Hunting Grounds

In addition to the process of photosynthesis, the bee community is the main source of energy in food production, honey-plants used by game and people in the hunting grounds ecosystem. It is a well-known fact that thousands of plant species depend on the presence of bee communities (pollination, fertilization). In this paper we studied the presence of the bee community in the hunting grounds of Croatian Forests, and their influence on the number of game (wild pigs), as well as the quality of honey, honey plants in the hunting grounds used by people and game. We established the total number of game (wild boars). The honey quality parameters were determined using the Harmonised methods of the European Honey (Bogdanov et al., 1997) and the pollen analysis by were conducted according to Harmonised methods of melissopalynology (Von der Ohe et al., 2004). Research results indicate that the presence of the bee community influences the number of wild boars from 3–18%, and the quality of honey is in line with the European and world standards. The SAS/STAT package was used for the statistical analysis (SAS Institute Inc., 2000). The significance of the differences among the groups was determined by Duncan test

Development of red deer antlers (Cervus elaphus L.) in controlled breeding

S obzirom na morfološko-fiziološka obilježja rasta i razvoja rogovlja jelen obični u zoologijskoj je sistematici svrstan u punorošce (porodica Cervidae). Rogovlje je sekundarna oznaka spola koje nose samo mužjaci. U smislu lovstva jelen obični svrstan je u lovnu divljač, a njegovo rogovlje predstavlja trofej na temelju kojega se procjenjuje njegova vrijednost. U uzgojno-selekcijskom radu značajna pozornost usmjerava se na njihovu kvalitetu, a posljedično tomu na veću financijsku vrijednost i bolju konkurentnost na tržištu. Jelen obični najčešće se uzgaja u slobodnoj prirodi, ali se sve češće uzgaja i u kontroliranim uvjetima, pri čemu živi u relativno idealnim životnim uvjetima hranidbe uz smanjeni prirodni mortalitet. Istraživanje je obavljeno u znanstveno istraživačkom centru „Šeprešhat“ poduzeća "Hrvatske šume d.o.o.“ i lovištu „Podunavlje-Podravlje“ u Baranji, a bazirano je na biometrijskim podacima 167 parova odbačenih grana rogovlja od 10 jelena iz kontroliranog uzgoja i 4 jelena iz slobodne prirode, što ukupno iznosi 4.016 pokazatelja. Odbačeno rogovlje skupljano je od 2004. do 2017., a mjereno je 11 standardnih mjera koje propisuje Međunarodni savjet za lovstvo (tzv. CIC), te još 11 inoviranih pokazatelja koji egzaktnije pokazuju vrijednost odnosno perspektivnost jelena običnog (volumen rogovlja, kut otklona nadočnjaka, duljina tetive nadočnjaka, visina nadočnjaka, kut otklona ledenjaka (stupanj), duljina tetive ledenjaka, visina ledenjaka, kut otklona srednjaka, duljina tetive srednjaka, visina srednjaka i visina krune). Rezultati pokazuju da jeleni iz kontroliranog uzgoja imaju značajno (P<0,005) dulje grane od onih iz slobodne prirode. Kod jelena iz kontroliranog uzgoja kulminacija broja parožaka, broja parožaka krune te duljina parožaka krune nastupa s navršenih 8 godina života (u 9. godini), duljine grana, nadočnjaka i srednjaka te trofejne vrijednosti jelena iz kontroliranog uzgoja nastupa s navršenih 9 godina (u 10. godini), dok se gospodarska starost u slobodnom uzgoju procjenjuje na 12 godina. Ledenjak je uvijek kraći (P<0,00001) od nadočnjaka i srednjaka , dok između nadočnjaka i srednjaka nema razlike u duljini (P=0,772). Od pokazatelja „masivnosti“ rogovlja gustoća grana ne pokazuje ovisnost o dobi grla. Nije utvrđena razlika u gustoći rogovlja između jelena iz slobodne prirode i jelena iz kontroliranog uzgoja, a ona u prosjeku iznosi 1,25 kg/dm3 (od 0,76 do 2,47 kg/dm3). Kutovi otklona nadočnjaka, ledenjaka i srednjaka ne ovise o dobi grla, bez obzira radi li se o kontroliranom ili prirodnom uzgoju, dok je odnos tetiva i relativnih visina parožaka o dobi dosta varijabilna, bez obzira o kojem tipu uzgoja se radi. Kod jelena iz kontroliranog uzgoja odnosi tetiva svih triju istraživanih parožaka ne pokazuju povezanost s dobi jelena. Razlika između kutova otklona nadočnjaka i srednjaka može poslužiti za donošenje odluke o odstrjelu jelena. Znak da je jelen prošao asimptotsku starost je razlika između kutova otklona nadočnjaka i srednjaka od barem 70º. Od tri testirane funkcije razvoja rogovlja najbolje se pokazala Weibullova funkcija, a nakon nje kvadratna. Gompertzova funkcija, u gotovo svim slučajevima, objašnjava vrlo malo varijabilnosti u svim ispitivanim pokazateljima. Zaključno, većina istraživanih pokazatelja kod jelena iz kontroliranog uzgoja imala je više vrijednosti od jelena iz slobodne prirode, a razdoblje postizanja asimptotskih vrijednosti u kontroliranom uzgoju je znatno skraćeno.Based on the morphophysiological antler growth and development features, the red deer is classified in zoological systematics as true deer (the family Cervidae), with the antlers representing a secondary sexual characteristic since they can be found only on male animals. In terms of hunting, the red deer is classified as big game, and the antlers of the red deer are deemed as a trophy which determines its value on the market. Deer farmers and breeders pay particular attention to their quality and subsequently higher financial value and market competitiveness. The red deer is most often bred in the open, but breeding in fenced controlled conditions is becoming more popular. In the latter case, the deer live in relatively ideal feeding conditions with s reduced natural mortality rate. The research was conducted in the “Šeprešhat” research centre managed by the company “Hrvatske šume d.o.o.” and the “Podunavlje-Podravlje” hunting grounds in Baranja, and was based on biometric data from 167 pairs of shed antlers from ten feedlot cervids and four wild cervids, which makes a total of 4016 parameters. The shed antlers were collected from 2004 to 2017 and measured according to 11 standard parameters prescribed by the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC), and additionally according to 11 new parameters that more precisely determine the value and potential of the red deer (antler volume, brow tine deflection angle, brow tine length, brow tine height, bay tine deflection angle (degrees), bay tine length, bay tine height, tray tine deflection angle, tray tine length, tray tine height, crown height). The results show that stags from controlled breeding have significantly (P<0,005) longer tines than their wild counterparts. When breeding in controlled conditions, the number of tines, crown tines and crown tine lengths culminate after 8 years of age (in the 9th year); the highest lengths of beams, brow tines, and bay tines are reached after 9 years of age (in the 10th year), whereas the economic life in the open is estimated at 12 years of age. The bay tine is always shorter (P<0,00001) than the brow tine and the tray tine; there are no length differences between the brow tine and the tray tine (P=0,772). Among the indicators of “largeness” of antlers, the density of antlers does not correlate with deer age. No differences were observed in the density of stags bred in the open and those bred in controlled conditions. The average density is 1.25 kg/dm3 (from 0.76 to 2.47 kg/dm3). The deflection angles of brow, bay and tray tines do not depend on deer age nor the open or controlled breeding conditions; however, the relationship between lengths and relative heights of tines is rather variable, regardless of the breeding environment. Stags bred in controlled breeding conditions do not show a correlation between the lengths of all three tines covered in this research. The difference between the deflection angles of brow and bay tines can serve as a decision point for shooting the deer. The difference between deflection angles of brow and bay tines of at least 70° is an indicator of passed asymptotical senescence. From the three tested functions describing antler development, the Weibull function performed the best, followed by the quadratic function. The Gompertz function, in almost all cases, explains very little variability across all parameters covered in the research. To conclude, the majority of parameters had higher values in stags bred in fenced controlled conditions than in stags bred in the open, and the time required to reach the asymptotic values in controlled breeding conditions is significantly shortened

The Reliability of Fluctuating Asymmetry in Population Estimation: The Case of Feedlot Red Deer

Three FA indices showed correlations with age and magnitude of traits, but not in general. Significant correlations between magnitude of traits and their FA were more pronounced in AFA (12 traits) than in RFA (10 traits) in all age classes except yearlings. For the tray tine form (curvature), FA significantly correlated with its magnitude in young, middle-aged and ripe stags, which indicates that the trait is a reliable indicator of asymmetry. Significant differences in AFA among age classes were found in four traits (weight of dry antlers, volume of antlers, distal circumference of beams and total length of crown tines). By RFA, a significant difference among age classes was only found for the distal circumference of beams. Thus, AFA is a more vulnerable condition index. Contrary to other research findings, developmental instability was more pronounced in older age classes. In yearlings, no significant FA dependence on the trait of antler size was detected, but in certain traits, an asymmetry detected at an early age remains visible later as well, although in stags grown under relatively optimal (especially trophic) environment conditions, developmental instability was present anyway. This proposes two hypotheses for further research: Competition may be manifested even under controlled conditions, which might jeopardize the developmental stability of certain individuals, or some traits will show developmental instability regardless of relatively good environmental conditions

The Reliability of Fluctuating Asymmetry in Population Estimation: The Case of Feedlot Red Deer

Three FA indices showed correlations with age and magnitude of traits, but not in general. Significant correlations between magnitude of traits and their FA were more pronounced in AFA (12 traits) than in RFA (10 traits) in all age classes except yearlings. For the tray tine form (curvature), FA significantly correlated with its magnitude in young, middle-aged and ripe stags, which indicates that the trait is a reliable indicator of asymmetry. Significant differences in AFA among age classes were found in four traits (weight of dry antlers, volume of antlers, distal circumference of beams and total length of crown tines). By RFA, a significant difference among age classes was only found for the distal circumference of beams. Thus, AFA is a more vulnerable condition index. Contrary to other research findings, developmental instability was more pronounced in older age classes. In yearlings, no significant FA dependence on the trait of antler size was detected, but in certain traits, an asymmetry detected at an early age remains visible later as well, although in stags grown under relatively optimal (especially trophic) environment conditions, developmental instability was present anyway. This proposes two hypotheses for further research: Competition may be manifested even under controlled conditions, which might jeopardize the developmental stability of certain individuals, or some traits will show developmental instability regardless of relatively good environmental conditions