SREL Reprint #2377

Genetic variation in a recently isolated population of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus)

John D. Peles1, Floyd W. Weathersbee, Jr.2, Paul E. Johns1, Jane Griess3, Dan L. Baker4, and Michael H. Smith1

1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802
2Department of Biology and Geology, University of South Carolina at Aiken, Aiken, SC 29801
3United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Building 613, Commerce, CO 80022
4Colorado Division of Wildlife, 317 W. Prospect, Fort Collins, CO 80526

Introduction: Genetic variation is necessary for evolution of populations in response to environmental change (Allendorf and Leary, 1986). Consequently, maintenance of genetic variability in natural populations is an essential component of conservation efforts aimed at ensuring long-term persistence of wildlife populations (Frankham, 1995). Genetic variation also influences characteristics that determine the ability of populations to function over shorter time periods (Teska et al., 1990; Rhodes and Smith, 1992). For example, multilocus heterozygosity has been shown to influence numerous characteristics that are related to fitness in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; reviewed by Smith et al., In press). Consequently, maintaining genetic variation to increase the quality of individuals in a population especially is important to those concerned with management of large game species (Rhodes and Smith, 1992; Smith and Rhodes, 1993).
Isolation of wildlife populations in zoos, preserves, or enclosures may result in reduced genetic variation due to lack of gene flow, increased effects of drift, or breeding among closely related individuals (Chesser et al., 1980; Schonewald-Cox, 1983; Frankham, 1995). For example, Price et al. (1979) reported that genetic variability in two enclosed populations of white-tailed deer was 50% lower compared to a free-ranging population. At the Rocky Mountain Arsenal (RMA), located near Denver, Colorado, the potential currently exists for genetic variability in a population of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) to become reduced as a result of isolation. Mule deer at RMA have been isolated from free-ranging populations since March 1990 when a 3-m fence was erected around this 70.2-km2 Site to limit public access.

SREL Reprint #2377

Peles, J.D., F.W. Weathersbee, Jr., P.E. Johns, J. Griess, D.L. Baker, and M.H. Smith. 1999. Genetic variation in a recently isolated population of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). The Southwestern Naturalist 44:236-240.

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