Genetic differentiation in four European subspecies of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.)

Abstract

SUMMARYRed deer representing the four different European subspecies Cervus elaphus ailanticus, C. e. elcaphus, C. e. germanicus, and C. e. scoticus were examined for allozyme variability at 35 enzyme loci. The proportion of polymorphic loci within populations (F) ranged from 0 to 138 per cent and the average heterozygosity (H) from 0 to 3•6 per cent. These estimates are within the range previously observed among mammalian species. Significant allele frequency differences were found both within and between subspecies. The mean genetic distance between subspecies (D = 00164) was smaller than the differentiation at similar taxonomic levels among other ungulates, probably because of a shorter time since divergence. Within subspecies the genetic differences between populations were similar to those reported between populations within closely related species in the same geographic region. Cluster analysis based on genetic distances indicated a major genetic dichotomy between the British C. e. scoticus and the Norwegian C. a. atlanticus on one hand and the Swedish C. e. elaphus and the continental C. e. germanicus on the other.Populations of pure C. e. elaphus were not found to differ genetically in any substantial way from Swedish populations of possible heterogeneous subspecific origin. An allele unique to C. e. scoticus was found in a Swedish enclosed population where imports of British deer are known to have taken place. A population established to preserve the genetic characteristics of the C. e. elaphus subspecies appeared to have lost 36 per cent of the electrophoretically measurable heterozygosity.

Biochemical variation in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.): are r-strategists among deer genetically less variable than K-strategists?

“…Since this is the case also in other species of the Telemetacarpi such as white-tailed deer and red-brocket (table 2), the postulation that r-selected Telemetacarpi exhibit lower genetic variation within populations than K-selected Plesiometacarpi is not supported by biochemical genetic data. However, as far as genetic diversity between populations is concerned, the relative amount of differentiation (GST) is somewhat higher in roe deer (GST =8'5 per cent) and in moose (GsT=94 per cent; Ryman et a!., 1980) than in red deer (GST= 5 per cent; Gyllensten et al, 1983). Thus, this aspect of Harrington's hypothesis may be supported by electrophoretic results, but more comprehensive data, especially on more species of the Plesiometacarpi are needed.…”

“…Various multilocus investigations have been carried out within the past decade to evaluate the amount of genetic diversity within and among populations of white-tailed deer (Manlove et a!., 1976;Ramsey et a!., 1979;Baccus et a!., 1983;Smith et al, 1984Smith et al, , 1986Sheffield et a!., 1985), fallow deer (Pemberton and Smith, 1985;Harti et a!., 1986), wild and semi-domestic reindeer (RØed, 1985a, b;, moose (Ryman et a!., 1977(Ryman et a!., , 1980 and different subspecies of red deer (Cameron and Vyse, 1978;Gyllensten et a!., 1983;Baccus et a!., 1983;Dratch and Gyllensten, 1985;Hart!, 1986). In contrast the level of genetic variability in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.), one of the most abundant species in Central Europe, is largely unknown.…”

Genetic variability in white-tailed deer

“…White-tailed deer have the highest level of genetic variability among large-grazing mammals (H = 00 per cent in caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and a population of red deer (Cervus elaphus) to H = 70 per cent in red brocket (Mazama americana); Ryman eta!., 1980;Baccus etaL, 1983;Dratch, 1983;Gyllensten et a!., 1983;Smith eta!., 1986). There are 10 species of mammals with H> 90 per cent (Felis domesticus, Homo sapiens, Micro tus agrestis, Myotis californicus, Myotis velfer, Perogna thus californicus, Peromyscus maniculatus, Proechimys guarirae, Thomomys hottae, and Odocoileus virginianus), and all have geographical ranges classed as regional or widespread on a continental basis by Nevo et a!.…”

Extensive protein and microsatellite variability in an isolated, cyclic ungulate population

“…The protein loci screened are listed in Table 1. Initially, all proteins were screened by starch gel electrophoresis, following methods given in Ritter et al (1974), Manlove et al (1975), Harris & Hopkinson (1976) and Gyllensten et a!. (1983).…”