A new methodology, based on a CAD system, for evaluating partial and global asymmetries in deer antlers from hunting quality assessment data

Abstract

In the field of biology, the "biomarkers" of the different animal species are of great relevance, as well as the relationships between them and with the quality of the habitat. A study has been proposed, analysing the antlers of the Iberian deer, to measure the bilateral asymmetry of its branches. The antlers are characterised in a CAD 3D-model of their axial structure obtained by photogrammetric restitution from two photographs. This method quantifies the global and par-tial asymmetries of the antler's structural features. The research evaluated 48 deer antlers from hunting days and taxidermy workshops. To quantify asymmetries, the measurements required are the same as those considered to assess the hunting quality of antlers. Bilateral deviations are estimated for each structural trait and for the whole antler. Preliminary results showed a con-vergence between the values of global asymmetry and hunting quality. The methodology proved to be fast, inexpensive and easy to implement, which facilitates its use in future asym-metry studies of other biological elements of animal or plant origin. It is only necessary that the starting data, the bilateral axial structure of the analysed element, is characterised in a 3D-model.