A female Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer) harvested in West Tennessee (29 January 2024) in an area with high prevalence of chronic wasting disease (CWD), had 5 fetuses (3 males and 2 females). All fetuses had similar development (58 days old) determined by crown–rump length. We estimated conception occurred ∼2 December 2023, typical for the area. This case suggests that high reproductive output might be possible even in the face of CWD. However, even with potentially high reproductive output, altered maternal behavior due to CWD infection could affect successful neonate recruitment.
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10 December 2024
White-Tailed Deer Quintuplets in an Area with High Prevalence of Chronic Wasting Disease
Justin R. Kosiewska,
Daniel M. Grove,
Mark Q. Wilber,
Dailee L. Metts,
Jacob D. Wyrick,
Allan Houston,
Lisa I. Muller
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Southeastern Naturalist
Vol. 23 • No. 4
December 2024
Vol. 23 • No. 4
December 2024