The variation of morphometric characters of tarsal bones in species cervus elaphus l., 1758 (mammalia: Artiodactyla) taken from neolitic sediments at balkan peninsula

Abstract

The researches on the skeletal elements astragalus and calcaneus have been made in order to determine differences among deer (Cervus elaphus L) populations. Specimens were taken from several Neolithic localities on the territory of Balkan Peninsula. Possible differences among the populations are possible due to different geographic and ecologic factors at the research localities, and due to influence of artificial selection. The artificial selection is evidenced by the choice of game, taking into consideration usability of deer as a hunting game for Neolithic people. Statistic analysis has shown that there is variability among individuals of the species Cervus elaphus L. at the localities. However, there are no statistically significant differences among the populations. The individual variations among wild populations have been confirmed, while the most significant anthropogenic influence is evidenced by prominent selection of hunting game. Scatter analysis has shown that there is significantly larger number of male individuals, in comparison to female ones, in the specimen. This data is in correlation with the already mention fact that usability of male individuals is greater. © 2010 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.