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Andalusian Roe Deer Had Smaller Antlers With Thicker Bases Than Other European Populations

Researchers measuring the antlers of an Andalusian roe deer trophy
Research · Anatomy & morphology

A morphometric study of European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antlers found a distinctive form in the isolated population of the Baetic System in Andalucía. Researchers measured 751 antler specimens from adult males in nine populations: six in Spain plus Tuscany in Italy, Hungary and Poland.

The Andalusian/Baetic antlers were significantly shorter overall and had shorter tines but thicker coronets — the burr-like bases where the antlers join the skull — than specimens grouped from central–northern Spain and central–eastern Europe. On average, the longest and widest antlers in the dataset came from Poland and Hungary.

The population showed a distinctive antler form

The researchers measured 15 morphological traits. Across all nine populations, antler morphology showed geographic differentiation: the Baetic System formed a distinct cluster, while Sierra Madrona showed intermediate morphology. When populations were combined into three broader groups — Andalucía, central–northern Spain and central–eastern Europe — the Andalusian group remained clearly separated.

Discriminant-analysis plot separating Andalusian roe deer antlers from other Spanish and Central/Eastern European populations
The comparison separated the Andalusian population (A) from other Spanish populations (B) and Central/Eastern European populations (C). Figure 5 from Cassinello et al. (2026), European Journal of Wildlife Research, CC BY 4.0.

The differences support a distinct ecotype, not a subspecies

The authors state that the antler differences, together with earlier genetic and cranial evidence, support treating the Andalusian population as a distinct ecotype and Evolutionarily Significant Unit, but not as a separate subspecies. They caution that uncontrolled translocations from other populations could erode its genetic and morphological identity.

Sources and image credit

  1. Cassinello, J., Caro, J., & Delibes-Mateos, M. (2026). Distinctive antler morphology in European roe deer: implications for evolution, conservation and game management. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 72, 41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-026-02069-9Primary peer-reviewed open-access study published 5 March 2026 under CC BY 4.0. The authors measured 15 traits on 751 adult-male antler specimens from nine populations in Spain, Italy, Hungary and Poland. The nine-population discriminant analysis classified 43% correctly, while a broader three-group analysis classified 71% and clearly separated the Andalusian population.

Image: Cassinello, Caro & Delibes-Mateos / European Journal of Wildlife Research — Figure 6, researchers measuring a typical Andalusian roe deer trophy from the study · CC BY 4.0 · Source

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