A skin shield in Siberian roe males (Capreolus capreolus pygargus Pall.)

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Abstract
The skins of 21 Siberian roe deer were studied. Data on sex and seasonal variability are provided. An adaptive significance of the skin shield in Siberian roe males was revealed. By summer (the fighting season) a peculiar skin shield is developed in Siberian roe males due to a considerable (2 to 5-fold) thickening of the papillary and reticular layers of the dermis. The shield reduces the possibility of serious wounds being inflicted during fights. The development of a skin shield in males is timed to the growth of the testicles. In females no significant skin thickening is noted in different seasons.

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