Testing New Measures of Age Independent Body Size in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

• Main Author: Densmore, Julie A.
• Other Authors: Wolverton, Steven J.
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 2009
• Subjects: paleozoology; body size; biology; Archaeology; White-tailed deer > Size > Texas.
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc11051/

The four elements of the lower hind foot (calcaneus, metatarsal, naviculo-cuboid, and tibia) were tested for use as age-independent proxies of body size in white-tailed deer using known aged specimens from Ft. Hood Texas. Statistical analysis indicates that the calcaneum and the tibia are good proxies of age-independent body size in white-tailed deer. In addition to expanding the list of elements that can be used for studies of age-independent body size, these elements can also be used to age faunal remains to an ordinal scale of juveniles and adults. This is useful for research regarding prehistoric prey populations; as a single element can be used to determine prey body size and age simultaneously, which are the two variables used to assess changes in human subsistence practices via the archaeological remains of their prey.