SREL Reprint #1907

Association between production of offspring and genetic variability in cervids

Michael H. Smith1 and Kenneth L. Risenhoover2

1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802 USA
2Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843 USA

Abstract: Relationships between production of offspring, body, weight, and genetic variability were examined in 8 cervids. Number of offspring produced per 100 females, including fawns, ranged from 60 in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) to 127 in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Multilocus heterozygosity (H) ranged from 0.0 in fallow deer (Dama dama) to 9.9% in white-tailed deer. Production of offspring was positively associated with H but not with body weight. H is not related to body weight in these taxa. Level of genetic variability may be an important determinant of secondary productivity.

SREL Reprint #1907

Smith, M.H. and K.L. Risenhoover. 1993. Association between production of offspring and genetic variability in cervids. pp. 113-118 In: I. D. Thompson. (Ed.). XXI IUGB Congress: Forests and Wildlife...Towards the 21st Century. International Union of Game Biologists, Halifax, Canada. 

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).