STATURAL GROWTH IN KNOWN-AGE AFRICAN ELEPHANTS (LOXODONTA-AFRICANA)

The shoulder heights of 224 females and 170 males, and hindfoot length of 236 female and 217 male known-age African elephants (Loxodonta afr icana) were measured, and growth curves constructed for each measure o f size. A linear relationship between foot length and shoulder height was confirmed in simultaneous measures of 97 males and 110 females. Gr owth curves demonstrated the typical sexual dimorphism in both foot le ngth and shoulder height, with males growing more rapidly than females from birth onwards. The size dimorphism in foot length and shoulder h eight becomes marked by the age of 10 years, with males on average bei ng 60-70 cm taller than females at 65 years. This size dimorphism is p roduced through faster growth which continues for longer than does tha t of females. The variance in growth rates is slightly greater for fem ales than for males, It is proposed that female growth after puberty i s affected by a trade-off between growth and reproduction, while males who deviate markedly from typical patterns of growth may be subject e ither to mortality or energetic constraints limiting their potential v ariance.