Journal of Morphology and Anatomy

Anatomy of the Spine of an Elaphe Daguet (Cervus Elaphus)

Abstract

Dominique Pianel

The growth of the branch in male elaphe deer (cervus elaphus) is a seasonal phenomenon resulting in a significant variation in the weight of the deer head of up to 14 kg.
Comparative anatomy studies to identify which biomechanical structures are being implemented to adapt and cope with such predictable variations have been
undertaken. The study of the angle of the spruce serouts of the tourniquet allowing a pulley return and a force vector was not conclusive; the complete dissection of the
spine of a young male deer was undertaken. The results unequivocally demonstrated the obvious correlation between the weight of future antlers and the size of the
diameter of the nuchal ligament in the daguet. Such results open the door to new questions about the correlation that might exist between the weight of the adornment,
the presence of neuropeptide Y in the nuchal ligament and calcium production.