Genetic diversity, genetic structure and diet of ancient and contemporary red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) from north-eastern France

Abstract

In north-eastern France, red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) populations were rebuilt from a few hundred individuals, which have subsisted in remote valleys of the Vosges mountains, and to a lesser extent from individuals escaped from private enclosures; at present times, this species occupies large areas, mainly in the Vosges Mountains. In this study, we examined the population dynamics of red deer in the Vosges Mountains using ancient and contemporary mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from 140 samples (23 ancient + 117 modern) spanning the last 7’000 years. In addition, we reconstructed the feeding habits and the habitat of red deer since the beginning of agriculture applying isotopic analyses in order to establish a basis for current environmental management strategies. We show that past and present red deer in the Vosges Mountains belong to mtDNA haplogroup A, suggesting that they originated from the Iberian refugium after the last glacial maximum (LGM). Palaeogenetic analysis of ancient bone material revealed the presence of two distinct haplotypes with different temporal distributions. Individuals belonging to the two haplotype groups apparently occupied two different habitats over at least 7’000 years. AM6 correlates with an ecological type that feeds in densely forested mountain landscapes, while AM235 correlates with feeding in lowland landscapes, composed of a mixture of meadows and riverine, herb-rich woodlands. Our results suggest that red deer of north-eastern France was able to adapt, over the long term, to these different habitat types, possibly due to efficient ethological barriers. Modern haplotype patterns support the historical record that red deer has been exposed to strong anthropogenic influences as a major game species.

The Evolution and Population Diversity of Bison in Pleistocene and Holocene Eurasia: Sex Matters

“…Similar behavioral differences between sexes in African elephants have also been proposed to underlie the cytonuclear discordance that can be observed between Savannah and Forest elephants [73]. A similar phenomenon could also account for the links between distinct mitotypes and habitat occupation observed for ancient Holocene red deer populations [74]. We propose that low degree of morphological differences in the fossil series of the Late Pleistocene could be the consequence of male-mediated gene flow between overlapping populations of B. bonasus and B. priscus, while the mitochondrial DNA pattern would reflect the response of female-structured herds to changing environments, ultimately resulting in herd or population migrations.…”

Molecular investigation of the pine‐tree lappet moth Dendrolimus pini (L.) population in Scotland: a new arrival or an old acquaintance?

“…Concatenation of sequences is an approach employed in several other studies and permissible due to the nonrecombining nature of mitochondrial DNA (e.g. Schnitzler et al, 2018). Identical sequences were collapsed into mitochondrial haplotypes.…”

Weathered Antlers: A Valuable Source of DNA Useful for Conservation Purposes for Cervids

“…Moreover, they are easily accessible even in high numbers in the private or public collections or museums where they are conserved as trophies or historical artefacts. Antlers stored under controlled conditions permit studying population genetics over time 7 , also comparing extant, historical and fossil specimens [8][9][10] . Deer males shed antlers once a year and tissues are desiccated before the antlers fall off protecting the DNA.…”