Genetic variability in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and its relationship to environmental parameters and herd origin (Cervidae)

Abstract

Allozyme variation was examined in 1 571 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from 29 localities in Tennessee by starch gel electrophoresis. For 11 polymorphic loci, sex-related, age-related and temporal differences were minimal. However, significant spatial heterogeneity was evident in genotypes (contingency table results), allele frequencies (F~t = 0.057) and heterozygosity. Heterozygosity ranged from 16.9% to 26.8°-/0 with a mean of 22.9%. The spatial pattern of allele frequencies determined from Rogers' coefficients of genetic similarity indicated associations based on geographic proximity and stocking history. In hierarchial analyses, physiographic regions accounted for more of the total gene diversity than herd origin groups (populations of similar origin) but less than individual populations. For five loci, physiographic regions accounted for more of the gene diversity than populations, suggesting a selection role in the observed genetic variabilit}: Bivariate and canonical correlation analyses revealed significant associations between environmental and genetic variables. Temperature variables and allele frequencies for three loci (alcohol dehydrogenase, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, sorbitol dehydrogenase) had the prominent roles in the multivariate association between environmental and genetic variables. Herd origin, gene flow and selection appear to be involved in the gene diversity in deer from Tennesee.

Genetic consequences of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) restoration in Mississippi

“…The recovery programme was highly successful in restoring deer to their former range in Mississippi while avoiding loss of genetic diversity. Despite the presence of some historic patterns of genetic variation, most genetic diversity in contemporary populations is partitioned within populations with little or no higher-level structuring, consistent with the results of previous allozyme-based studies (Kennedy et al 1987;Karlin et al 1989) and a study of Mhc-DRB variation (Van Den Bussche et al 2002). In some ways, this is to be expected of populations that have experienced bottlenecks, unequal population sizes and probably genetic drift (Hedrick 1999).…”

“…Previous genetic studies of southeastern deer populations using allozymes and mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment haplotypes documented spatial heterogeneity among populations, associations between populations with common stocking histories and hinted at the presence of genetic bottlenecks (Sheffield et al . 1985; Kennedy et al . 1987; Karlin et al .…”

Genetic variability in the Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx)

“…This information will help to preserve or increase the level of heterozygosity [for computer simulation, see Lacy, 19871, and also the allelic diversity [Fuerst and Maruyama, 19861. For the next reintroductions in Mahazat As Said, Kennedy et al, 198735.8 Baccus et al, 198310.5-36.8 Smith et al, 198657.9 Smith et al, 198615.8 Smith et al, 1986 Pemberton et al, 1989Miller and Hartl, 1986Hartl and Reimoser, 1988Baccus et al, 1983 This study Ryman et al, 1980Baccus et al, 1983Baccus et al. 19836.6 Hartl et al, 1986 for instance, it should be possible to choose individuals that will restore variability at Ldh and Hb loci.…”

Genetic structure of the Marseilles cat population: is there really a strong founder effect ?

“…The second cause would be in accordance with Dreux's (1975) statements, ie frequent founder effects with the same probability over the range of the population. In other studies, this explanation has also been useful to explain the genetic structure of other organisms (Sokal and Oden, 1978b;Waser, 1987;Lopez-Alonso and Pascual-Requera, 1989 (Todd, 1969(Todd, , 1977(Todd, , 1978Clark, 1975Clark, , 1976 (Bulmer, 1973;Bush et al, 1987) (Grant, 1980;Kennedy et al, 1987) but they differ from what has been observed in other mammals (Patton, 1972;Penney and Zimmerman, 1976). As can be observed, the average levels of heterozygosity of these 3 genes are high, and as has been proved by other studies, high gene flow maintains high levels of heterozygosity (Wheeler and Guries, 1982;Waples, 1987;Ruiz-Garcia, 1991) (Patton and Feder, 1981).…”