Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
—The Southern Mule Deer is a mobile but non-migratory large mammal found throughout southern California and is a covered species in the San Diego Multi-Species Conservation Plan. We assessed deer movement and population connectivity across California State Route 67 and two smaller roads in eastern San Diego County using non-invasive genetic sampling. We collected deer scat pellets between April and November 2015, and genotyped pellets at 15 microsatellites and a sex determination marker. We successfully genotyped 71 unique individuals from throughout the study area and detected nine recapture events. Recaptures were generally found close to original capture locations (within 1.5 km). We did not detect recaptures across roads; however, pedigree analysis detected 21 first order relative pairs, of which approximately 20% were found across State Route 67. Exact tests comparing allele frequencies between groups of individuals in pre-defined geographic clusters detected significant genetic differentiation across State Route 67. In contrast, the assignment-based algorithm of STRUCTURE supported a single genetic cluster across the study area. Our data suggest that State Route 67 may reduce, but does not preclude, movement and gene flow of Southern Mule Deer.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Non-invasive genetic sampling of Southern Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus fuliginatus) reveals limited movement across California State Route 67 in San Diego County |
| Series title | Western Wildlife |
| Volume | 3 |
| Year Published | 2016 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Journal of the Western Section of The Wildlife Society |
| Publisher location | Albany, CA |
| Contributing office(s) | Western Ecological Research Center |
| Description | 11 p. |
| First page | 8 |
| Last page | 18 |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| City | San Diego |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |