Fine-Scale Genetic Structure in Female Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)

• Published in: Western North American naturalist Vol. 76; no. 4; pp. 417 - 426
• Main Authors: Noble, Cortney W., Bono, Jeremy M., Pigage, Helen K., Hale, David W., Pigage, Jon C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Provo Brigham Young University 01.12.2016; Western North American Naturalist
• Subjects: Alleles; Animal behavior; Animal genetics; Animal populations; Autocorrelation; Cervidae; Deer; Deoxyribonucleic acid; Disease transmission; Dispersal; DNA; Ecological genetics; Feces; Females; Gene expression; Genetic aspects; Genetic loci; Genetic structures; Males; Medical genetics; Mule deer; Observations; Odocoileus hemionus; Population genetics; Sexes; Studies; USA, Colorado
• ISSN: 1527-0904; 1944-8341
• DOI: 10.3398/064.076.0404

Fine-scale genetic structure in animal populations can have important consequences for evolutionary processes and can influence conservation and management decisions. Cervids often live in matrilineal social groups, and this spatial grouping can create fine-scale genetic structure among females. We used DNA and radio-location data at Fort Carson Military Reservation in south central Colorado, USA, to determine whether female mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) living in close proximity were more likely to be related. Spatial data were obtained over an 18-month period using data transmitted from GPS collars. Average positions for each animal were correlated with relatedness estimates calculated using 7 microsatellite loci. We found significant spatial autocorrelation for females at distances ≤1000 m, which suggests that females were frequently philopatric. In addition, females appeared to occasionally disperse over relatively longer distances, as we found evidence of related females separated by distances up to 28,000 m. Fine-scale genetic structure may have important implications for managing chronic wasting disease, which is relatively common at this site.