Evolution of population genetic structure of the British roe deer by natural and anthropogenic processes (Capreolus capreolus)

Abstract

Human influence typically impacts on natural populations of conservation interest. These interactions are varied and sometimes complex, and may be negative and unintended or associated with conservation and management strategy. Understanding the details of how these interactions influence and are influenced by natural evolutionary processes is essential to the development of effective conservation strategies. In this study, we investigate a species in Britain that has experienced both negative impact through overhunting in historical times and management efforts through culls and translocations. At the same time, there are regional populations that have been less affected by human influence. We use mtDNA and nuclear microsatellite DNA markers to investigate patterns of connectivity and diversity and find multiple insular populations in Britain that probably evolved within the Holocene (when the habitat was free of ice). We identify three concurrent processes. First, surviving indigenous populations show highly provincial patterns of philopatry, maintaining and generating population structure on a small geographic scale. Second, founder populations into habitat extirpated of native populations have expanded, but remained largely insular. Third, introductions into established populations generate some admixture. We discuss the implications for the evolution of diversity of the integration of natural processes with anthropogenic influences on population size and distribution.

Influence of Holocene environmental change and anthropogenic impact on the diversity and distribution of roe deer

“…We also test the hypothesis that there was free movement across the land bridge at Doggerland until the land bridge was flooded, isolating two established populations either side of the British Channel. Our results provide inference about the role of historical demographic events on the modern genetic diversity of a widespread species, and reinforce earlier inference about the role of life history characteristics (Baker and Hoelzel, 2013).…”

“…Our aDNA sequence data were compared against three published modern data sets (Randi et al, 2004;Royo et al, 2007;Baker and Hoelzel, 2013). Details of the exact data used and corresponding accession numbers are provided in Supplementary Table S4.…”

“…Although climatic change has been a major force shaping the evolutionary history of the roe deer, in modern times the evergrowing impact of humans has also been significant (Baker and Hoelzel, 2013). Cervids across Europe have long been under the influence of humans through hunting, habitat modifications and restocking.…”

“…With the turn of the nineteenth century, large-scale replanting of woodland provided suitable habitat for remnant populations over much of the north to recolonise uninhabited areas (Taylor, 1948). In the south, reforestation helped facilitate the successful reintroduction of roe deer (using both native and nonnative stocks) across much of southern United Kingdom (Whitehead, 1964;Prior, 1995;Baker and Hoelzel, 2013). Reforestation and reintroductions have been so successful that roe deer populations are showing continual expansion and repopulation over much of their historic range (Whitehead, 1964;Ward, 2005).…”

“…Reforestation and reintroductions have been so successful that roe deer populations are showing continual expansion and repopulation over much of their historic range (Whitehead, 1964;Ward, 2005). A recent study suggested that genetic structure and diversity of British roe deer populations has been strongly influenced by recent bottlenecks and restocking activity, as well as specific aspects of life history and behaviour (Baker and Hoelzel, 2013).…”