Fine-scale genetic and social structuring in a central Appalachian white-tailed deer herd

Abstract

Spatial genetic structure in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has been examined at regional scales, but genetic markers with the resolution to detect fine-scale patterns have appeared only recently. We used a panel of microsatellite DNA markers, radiotelemetry data, and visual observations of marked deer to study fine-scale social and genetic structure in a high-density population of white-tailed deer (1220 deer/km2). We collected genetic data on 229 adult females, 102 of which were assigned to 28 social groups. Our results were consistent with the conceptual model of white-tailed deer social structure, where philopatric females form social groups composed of related individuals. Within-group relatedness values approached the expected value for 1st cousins (R = 0•103, SE = 0•033), but individuals among groups (R = -0•014, SE = 0•003) and overall (R = -0•009, SE = 0•003) were unrelated. Fixation indices revealed a significant departure from equilibrium values among social groups (Fst = 0•076, SE = 0•007) and an excess of heterozygotes within groups (FIS = -0•050, SE = 0•018), consistent with theoretical expectations for mammal populations characterized by female philopatry and a polygynous mating system. Analyses of spatial autocorrelation indicated genetic structuring occurred at a very fine spatial scale, where pairs of adult females within 1 km were genetically nonindependent. The occurrence of fine-scale genetic and social structure has implications for the ecology and management of white-tailed deer, including habitat use and resource competition, offspring sex allocation theories, disease transmission, and the consideration of social behaviors in management. © 2010 American Society of Mammalogists.