In ungulates, different affections/injuries of jaws/teeth can lead to the dysfunction of the chewing system and might have a negative influence on the health status of individuals. Therefore, anomalies/lesions were studied on >20,000 mandibles of roe deer from the East Slovenia. Prevalence and the distribution of these affections have generally random (dispersed) pattern, and are usually not affected by any parameter of habitat quality. However, grouping of some of anomalies (e.g. hypoplasia) indicates that both genetic and environmental cofactors should be studied in the future.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 1017558In collaboration with the most important Slovene research groups on the field of environmental protection we prepared scientific backgrounds for comprehensive biomonitoring programme, which should started by Slovene Chemical Bureau in 2010. Therein, roe deer (and particularly its mandibles) is decided to be the key species in terrestrial ecosystems. Moreover, we developed a new environmental indicator for the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, which is based on the results, obtained in very this project by employment roe deer mandibles as a sensitive biomonitoring tool.
D.04 Initiative to set up a new research area in Slovenia
COBISS.SI-ID: 6124409