Fine-scale Phenotypic Variation of a Large Herbivore in a Pulsed Environment
Author(s): Foley, A.M., K. Gann, D.G. Hewitt, R.W. DeYoung, T.E. Fulbright, J.A. Ortega-S., and T.A. Campbell
Published: August 2024
A study on white-tailed deer in South Texas tested the resource rule hypothesis, which links body size to food resources. Soil characteristics, especially sand content, primarily influenced deer size, with rainfall having a secondary effect. The results supported the hypothesis, showing that forage quality, determined by soil composition, was more crucial than quantity in shaping deer phenotypes.
Suggested Citation
Foley, A.M., K. Gann, D.G. Hewitt, R.W. DeYoung, T.E. Fulbright, J.A. Ortega-S., and T.A. Campbell. 2024. Fine-scale phenotypic variation of a large herbivore in a pulsed environment. Ecosphere 15:e4921 https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4921 (East Foundation Manuscript 102)