Genetic analysis of an isolated red deer (Cervus elaphus) population showing signs of inbreeding depression

Abstract

In the present study, we analysed 18 red deer specimens from a small (N=50) and isolated population in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany, with respect to variability at nine polymorphic microsatellite loci and 439 bp of the mitochondrial DNA control region. Several cases of brachygnathy (shortened lower jaw), commonly associated with inbreeding depression, have been recorded in the population. Genetic variability was very low compared with other European red deer populations including the neighbouring population from which the population under study was derived some 130 years ago. The effective population size was estimated to be seven individuals corresponding to an increase in inbreeding (or a loss of heterozygosity) of 7% each generation. This value is seven times higher than the theoretical threshold level up to which natural selection is believed to counteract the fixation of deleterious alleles in the gene pool. As a consequence, the population urgently needs genetic input from other populations to overcome the negative effects of random drift and inbreeding. To our knowledge, this study is one of the first to genetically analyse a red deer population showing strong signs of inbreeding depression.

Male red deer (Cervus elaphus) dispersal during the breeding season

“…Concern has been raised over the negative effects of isolation of sub-populations as well as over the possibilities of establishment of new sub-populations (Simon et al 1998;Kuehn et al 2003;Zachos et al 2007). Remnant populations of endangered subspecies may also risk immigration of introduced non-native conspecifics (Hartl et al 2003;Feulner et al 2004).…”

Genetic Variability, Differentiation, and Founder Effect in Golden Jackals (Canis aureus) from Serbia as Revealed by Mitochondrial DNA and Nuclear Microsatellite Loci

“…The markers chosen, sequences of the mitochondrial control region and nuclear microsatellite loci, are known for their high intraspecific variability and have been used successfully in population and conservation genetic studies before (e.g., Hajji et al 2007;Ben Slimen et al 2007;Zachos et al 2006Zachos et al , 2007a.…”

Challenges and science-based implications for modern management and conservation of European ungulate populations

“…Consequences of such changes may include a decline in genetic variability, an increase in inbreeding, a decrease in population viability and the loss of local adaptations (Zachos et al 2007;Zachos and Hartl 2011;Galarza et al 2015). There is an urgent need for research to quantify these risks and identify solutions, as well as to develop policies and regulations to manage these emerging threats.…”