Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) is one of the most important game species inthe majority of European countries; moreover, it is also one of the most suitable species for bioindication of environmental pollution in terrestrial ecosystems. For recording of annual hunting bag and for categorization of eliminated animals their mandibles are in Slovenia collected annually by game managers; these mandibles have a huge potential for either scientists, ecologists or wildlife managers. Indeed, they provide basic information on: (a) environmental pollution; (b) exposure and responses of populations to different toxic substances; (c) animal fitness and changes in nutrient qualityof their habitats; (d) health status of the populations. Comparison of fluoride levels in 441 left hemi-mandibles of roe deer (all age classes), shotin four regions of Slovenia in the year 2007, showed that the highest levels of fluorides were in mandibles from the Kidričevo region (2 - 4 year old animals: n = 42, ? = 840 64 mg/kg, Max = 2,020 mg/kg); in the Šalek Valley, they were much lower (n = 22, ? = 175 9.5 mg/kg, Max = 285 mg/kg); the lowest levels were in the control region of the Upper Savinja valley (n = 8, ? = 138 13 mg/kg, Max = 201 mg/kg). For sensitive bioindication, assessment of dental fluorosis (DLI) in the total annual cull of roe deer fromSlovenia (year 2007) was done by ocular examination of all six check teethof all available adult roe deer mandibles (n = 14,672; presence of dentalfluorosis: 14.9%; average DLI = 0.6 0.0; Max DLI = 25). These results showed that dental fluorosis (its appearance and its severity) in Slovenia is significantly lower in comparison with some other areas in Europe. Only one region, i.e. the vicinity of Kidričevo, where aluminium smelter is located, showed higher average DLI (Hunting ground Boris Kidrič: average DLI = 7.8 1.3; Max DLI = 20). All large naturally important areas of Slovenia are not polluted with fluorides; in this respect their habitats have good ecological status. The quality and abundance of food, climate conditions (precipitations)and the density of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) have (besides of the age of a specific animal) the main influence on the mandible lengths and therefore on the fitness of an animal. The health status of the Slovenian population of roe deer was assessed with determination of some anomalies and/or diseases of mandibles/teeth; the presence and distribution of actinomycosis (113 cases; 7.4%) and hypoplasia (216 cases; 14.1%) is random inSlovenia, but still there can be found some groupations, therefore the influence of environment factors, pollution or parasites cannot be eliminated;presence of the fist premolar (27 cases; 0.6%) is random, while absence of the second premolar (137 cases; 3.3%) is appearing in groups which is the consequence of genetic factors.
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