U. Kierdorf et H. Kierdorf, ANTLER ASYMMETRY IN A YEARLING RED DEER S TAG (CERVUS-ELAPHUS) WITH UNILATERAL DOUBLE-HEAD FORMATION, Zeitschrift fur Jagdwissenschaft, 40(1), 1994, pp. 62-66
Presented are the asymmetric antlers of a 15 to 16 months old red deer
stag. The right beam is a primary spike typical for yearling stags, w
hereas a double-head structure has developed on the left side. It cons
ists of a prematurely formed button antler and a subsequent antler gro
wn simultaneously with the contralateral spike. Premature onset of ant
ler formation on the left side in attributed to accidential mechanical
traumatization of either antlerogenic periosteum or pedicle bone.