Factors Affecting the Sex Ratio of White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Fetuses in Arkansas

Health of the mother is known to affect sex-ratio offspring in sexually dimorphic mammals. Both density-dependent and environmental factors (conditions at present, or seasonal conditions year before) could impact health mother. There are however two opposing hypotheses for whether a good should invest more strong son (that can father many offspring) daughter stay same area use resources). Fetuses from 1,208 female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were collected over 10-year period (2002-2012), across 75 counties Arkansas. For each adult deer, we estimated age, recorded live dressed mass, calculated kidney fat index (KFI), back-calculated date conception, number sex fetuses. Our objective was investigate Arkansas that tend produce male fetuses, addition investigating which conception those females. We developed generalized linear model, with binomial response (male versus fetuses), examine effects date, age mass mother, KFI on fetal ratios. found had greatest sex-ratios, heavier females producing fetuses (β = 0.217 ± 0.008, P < 0.001). Female body condition (KFI) did not sex-ratios. In addition, model doe, an interaction between variables, see how these physical properties influence date. significant relationship -0.699 0.190,