Abstract
Red deer (Cervus elaphus) did not recolonise
Ireland after the last glaciation, but the population in Co.
Kerry is descended from an ancient (c. 5000 BP) introduction
and merits conservation. During the mid-19th
century exotic species including North American wapiti (C.
canadensis) and Japanese sika deer (C. nippon nippon)
were introduced to Ireland, mainly via Powerscourt Park,
Co. Wicklow. While wapiti failed to establish, sika thrived,
dispersed within Co. Wicklow and were translocated to
other sites throughout Ireland. Red deer and sika are known
to have hybridised in Ireland, particularly in Co. Wicklow,
but an extensive survey with a large, highly diagnostic
marker panel is required to assess the threat hybridisation
potentially poses to the Co. Kerry red deer population.
Here, 374 individuals were genotyped at a panel of 22
microsatellites and at a single mtDNA marker that are
highly diagnostic for red deer and Japanese sika. The
microsatellites are also moderately diagnostic for red deer
and wapiti. Wapiti introgression was very low [trace evidence
in 2 (0.53 %) individuals]. Despite long-standing
sympatry of red deer and sika in the area, no red deer-sika
hybrids were detected in Co. Kerry suggesting strong
assortative mating by both species in this area. However,
80/197 (41 %) of deer sampled in Co. Wicklow and 7/15
(47 %) of deer sampled in Co. Cork were red-sika hybrids.
Given their proximity and that hybrids are less likely to
mate assortatively than pure individuals, the Co. Cork
hybrids pose a threat to the Co. Kerry red deer.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 823 - 835 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Conservation Genetics |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | First published - 2014 |
Bibliographical note
1025124Keywords
- Introgression
- Microsatellite
- Red deer
- Sika
- mtDNA