Genetic structure and assignment tests demonstrate illegal translocation of red deer (Cervus elaphus) into a continuous population.

Molecular forensic methods are being increasingly used to help enforce wildlife conservation laws. Using multilocus genotyping, illegal translocation of an animal can be demonstrated by excluding all potential source populations as an individual's population of origin. Here, we illustrate how this approach can be applied to a large continuous population by defining the population genetic structure and excluding suspect animals from each identified cluster. We aimed to test the hypothesis that recreational hunters had illegally introduced a group of red deer into a hunting area in Luxembourg. Reference samples were collected over a large area in order to test the possibility that the suspect individuals might be recent immigrants. Due to isolation-by-distance relationships in the data set, inferring the number of genetic clusters using Bayesian methods was not straightforward. Biologically meaningful clusters were only obtained by simultaneously analysing spatial and genetic information using the program baps 4.1. We inferred the presence of three genetic clusters in the study region. Using partial Mantel tests, we detected barriers to gene flow other than distance, probably created by a combination of urban areas, motorways and a river valley used for viticulture. The four focal animals could be excluded with a high certainty from the three genetic subpopulations and it was therefore likely that they had been released illegally.

Frantz AC ，Pourtois JT ，Heuertz M ，Schley L ，Flamand MC ，Krier A ，Bertouille S ，Chaumont F ，Burke T ... -  《MOLECULAR ECOLOGY》

A preliminary study of the genetic diversity of Xinjiang Tarim red deer (Cervus elaphus yarkandensis) using the microsatellite DNA method.

To evaluate the genetic diversity of the Xinjiang Tarim red deer (Cervus elaphus yarkandensis) population, we analyzed the frequencies of microsatellite alleles. Samples were collected from 3 isolated populations in Xaya, Lopnur and Qarqan of Xinjiang. Although 10 microsatellite loci were examined, alleles of 133 to 190 base-pairs were detected for only 3 loci: BM5004, BM4208 and BM888. The average observed multilocus heterozygosity was 0.08 +/- 0.04 for the Xaya, 0 for the Lopnur, and 0.17 +/- 0.08 for the Qarqan population. The average heterozygosity of all populations was 0.08 +/- 0.02. The observed heterozygosities were significantly lower than the expected values. The present results suggest that the bottleneck effect has occurred in the populations of the Xinjiang Tarim red deer.

Mahmut H ，Ganzorig S ，Onuma M ，Masuda R ，Suzuki M ，Ohtaishi N ... -  《JAPANESE JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH》

Genetic consequences of human management in an introduced island population of red deer (Cervus elaphus).

Nussey DH ，Pemberton J ，Donald A ，Kruuk LE ... -  《HEREDITY》

Landscape features affect gene flow of Scottish Highland red deer (Cervus elaphus).

Pérez-Espona S ，Pérez-Barbería FJ ，McLeod JE ，Jiggins CD ，Gordon IJ ，Pemberton JM ... -  《-》

Genetic effect of transportation infrastructure on roe deer populations (Capreolus capreolus).

Kuehn R ，Hindenlang KE ，Holzgang O ，Senn J ，Stoeckle B ，Sperisen C ... -  《JOURNAL OF HEREDITY》