Impact of interspecific relations between native red deer (Cervus elaphus) and introduced sika deer (Cervus nippon) on their rutting season in the Doupovské hory Mts.

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The behaviour of sika and red deer during the rutting season is highly variable in relation to vocalization, habitat preference during the rut, and onset and termination of rutting. The red deer is a native species in Central Europe, but the areas where it lives in sympatry with the introduced sika deer have been increasing in the last three decades. Such situation can be found in the Doupovské hory Mts., where sika deer has been intensively spreading. Hybridization between the two species and changes in behaviour are the most important problems. In this study we prove the shift in the rutting period shown by both species. To evaluate the shift in the rutting season, we used a very extensive long-term data set on deer shot within the Military Training Area. These changes occur very slowly, however, and are very difficult to monitor and evaluate in the wild. Based on our results, the timing of the rutting season has converged at the mean rate of 0.62 day per year (rutting season starts later in the red deer and earlier in the sika deer).Keywords: shooting date; population density; military area; game management JOURNAL OF FOREST SCIENCE, 60, 2014 (7): 272-280The timing and synchronization of the rut and subsequent period of producing offspring are fundamental determinants of reproduction in seasonal environments (Loe et al. 2005). This phenomenon is most frequently related to the timing of vegetation growth after winter. Synchronization of the rut and birth of the young are usually studied in connection with climate changes (Walther et al. 2002;Coulson 2003;Loe et al. 2005) or female body condition (Stevenson, Bryant 2000). The influence of climate changes on biodiversity and the related influences on phenology and life history traits are generally known (Plard et al. 2014). Animals living at higher elevations or latitudes and species with high plasticity also frequently exhibit adaptations of life history in relation to breeding phenology. Animals living in northern areas or at higher elevations usually have a more synchronized breeding season than do individuals of the same species living at lower elevations or closer to the equator (Loe et al. 2005). In this study we focussed on the timing of rutting season in the red deer (Cervus elaphus). Its breeding phenology is dependent on climate conditions. For example, the rut in Europe begins in the west and subsequently shifts towards the east, which is usually explained in relation to the continental climate of the eastern areas. The dependence of the onset of the rut on climate conditions has been demonstrated by Coulson et al. (2003) when in a red deer population on the Isle of Rum, Scotland, a 10-day shift in the onset of the rut occurred in connection with global warming over the period of 30 years. Nowadays the rut in this population begins earlier than in the past. When comparing breeding phenology of deer in France and Norway, Loe et al. (2005) concluded that temperature and the related spring onset of vegetation growth were essential for the timing...

Genomic variation across cervid species in respect to the estimation of red deer diversity

“…The genetic structure and conservation status of native European Red deer populations are threatened with extinction in some parts of Central Europe. Due to the hybridisation with the Japanese Sika deer and North American Wapiti [9][10][11]. For long-term conservation and development purpose, it therefore appears compulsory to manage their wildlife to maintain both species survival and within species genetic diversity [12,13].…”

Setaria cervi(Filarioidea, Onchocercidae) undressing in ungulates: altered morphology of developmental stages, their molecular detection and complete sequencecox1 gene

“…The difference is likely related to specifics in the aetiology and ecological preferences of the non-native, originally East Asian sika deer, and European red deer. Sika deer favours open land habitats that are more likely to have lower mosquito populations (Honda et al ., 2014; Macháček et al ., 2014). Setaria cervi has rarely been reported in sika deer from Europe (Rehbein and Visser, 2007).…”

“…Forest game management has a long history in Europe. However, ongoing overabundance of some game animals as wild boars and wild ruminants is evident, and the negative relationship between the abundance of wildlife populations and their health status has often been shown (Gortázar et al ., 2007; Macháček et al ., 2014; Zbořil, 2017). Moreover, wild animals often enter cattle pastures and thus spread parasite germs to livestock.…”

The Degree of Genetic Admixture Within Species From Genus Cervus

“…Currently, the conservation status of native Red deer populations are threatened with extinction in some parts of Central Europe. The major cause is the hybridisation with an Asian species of the Japanese Sika deer (Cervus nippon) and North America Wapiti (Cervus canadensis) (Macháček et al, 2014). The Sika deer have been introduced to many countries and the hybridisation with native Red deer population has been demonstrated in British Isles (Malcolm, 2015), Czech Republic (Bartoš et al, 1982;Macháček et al, 2014), Poland (Biedrzycka et al, 2012) or Germany (Herzog et al, 2016).…”

“…The major cause is the hybridisation with an Asian species of the Japanese Sika deer (Cervus nippon) and North America Wapiti (Cervus canadensis) (Macháček et al, 2014). The Sika deer have been introduced to many countries and the hybridisation with native Red deer population has been demonstrated in British Isles (Malcolm, 2015), Czech Republic (Bartoš et al, 1982;Macháček et al, 2014), Poland (Biedrzycka et al, 2012) or Germany (Herzog et al, 2016). However, in addition to local hybridization with sika three major conservation issues exist: threatened genetic lineages, and blurring of natural genetic structuring through translocations and reintroductions; selective hunting; and reduced effective population sizes due to habitat fragmentation (Zachos and Hartl, 2011).…”