Hybridisation rates, population structure, and dispersal of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) and rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) in south-eastern Australia
- Hill, Erin, Murphy, Nicholas, Li-Williams, Scarlett, Davies, Christopher, Forsyth, David, Comte, Sebastien, Rollins, Lee, Hogan, Fiona, Wedrowicz, Faye, Crittle, Troy, Thomas, Elaine, Woodford, Luke, Pacioni, Carlo
- Authors: Hill, Erin , Murphy, Nicholas , Li-Williams, Scarlett , Davies, Christopher , Forsyth, David , Comte, Sebastien , Rollins, Lee , Hogan, Fiona , Wedrowicz, Faye , Crittle, Troy , Thomas, Elaine , Woodford, Luke , Pacioni, Carlo
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Wildlife Research Vol. 50, no. 9 (2023), p. 669-687
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Context. Introduced populations of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) and rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) are present across south-eastern Australia and are subject to local population control to alleviate their negative impacts. For management to be effective, identification of dispersal capability and management units is necessary. These species also readily hybridise, so additional investigation of hybridisation rates across their distributions is necessary to understand the interactions between the two species. Aims. Measure the hybridisation rate of sambar and rusa deer, assess broad-scale population structure present within both species and identify distinct management units for future population control, and measure the likely dispersal capability of both species. Methods. In total, 198 sambar deer, 189 rusa deer, and three suspected hybrid samples were collected across Victoria and New South Wales (NSW). After sequencing and filtering, 14 099 polymorphic single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were retained for analysis. Hybridisation rates were assessed before the data were split by species to identify population structure, diversity indices, and dispersal distances. Key results. Across the entire dataset, 17 hybrids were detected. Broad-scale population structure was evident in sambar deer, but not among the sites where rusa deer were sampled. Analysis of dispersal ability showed that a majority of deer movement occurred within 20 km in both species, suggesting limited dispersal. Conclusions. Distinct management units of sambar deer can be identified from the dataset, allowing independent population control. Although broad-scale population structure was not evident in the rusa deer populations, dispersal limits identified suggest that rusa deer sites sampled in this study could be managed separately. Sambar × rusa deer hybrids are present in both Victoria and NSW and can be difficult to detect on the basis of morphology alone. Implications. Genetic analysis can identify broad-scale management units necessary for population control, and estimates of dispersal capability can assist in delineating management units where broad-scale population structure may not be apparent. The negative impacts associated with hybridisation require further investigation to determine whether removal of hybrids should be considered a priority management aim. © 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing.
- Authors: Hill, Erin , Murphy, Nicholas , Li-Williams, Scarlett , Davies, Christopher , Forsyth, David , Comte, Sebastien , Rollins, Lee , Hogan, Fiona , Wedrowicz, Faye , Crittle, Troy , Thomas, Elaine , Woodford, Luke , Pacioni, Carlo
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Wildlife Research Vol. 50, no. 9 (2023), p. 669-687
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Context. Introduced populations of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) and rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) are present across south-eastern Australia and are subject to local population control to alleviate their negative impacts. For management to be effective, identification of dispersal capability and management units is necessary. These species also readily hybridise, so additional investigation of hybridisation rates across their distributions is necessary to understand the interactions between the two species. Aims. Measure the hybridisation rate of sambar and rusa deer, assess broad-scale population structure present within both species and identify distinct management units for future population control, and measure the likely dispersal capability of both species. Methods. In total, 198 sambar deer, 189 rusa deer, and three suspected hybrid samples were collected across Victoria and New South Wales (NSW). After sequencing and filtering, 14 099 polymorphic single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were retained for analysis. Hybridisation rates were assessed before the data were split by species to identify population structure, diversity indices, and dispersal distances. Key results. Across the entire dataset, 17 hybrids were detected. Broad-scale population structure was evident in sambar deer, but not among the sites where rusa deer were sampled. Analysis of dispersal ability showed that a majority of deer movement occurred within 20 km in both species, suggesting limited dispersal. Conclusions. Distinct management units of sambar deer can be identified from the dataset, allowing independent population control. Although broad-scale population structure was not evident in the rusa deer populations, dispersal limits identified suggest that rusa deer sites sampled in this study could be managed separately. Sambar × rusa deer hybrids are present in both Victoria and NSW and can be difficult to detect on the basis of morphology alone. Implications. Genetic analysis can identify broad-scale management units necessary for population control, and estimates of dispersal capability can assist in delineating management units where broad-scale population structure may not be apparent. The negative impacts associated with hybridisation require further investigation to determine whether removal of hybrids should be considered a priority management aim. © 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing.
A DNA toolbox for non-invasive genetic studies of sambar deer (Rusa unicolor)
- Davies, Chris, Wright, Wendy, Wedrowicz, Faye, Hogan, Fiona
- Authors: Davies, Chris , Wright, Wendy , Wedrowicz, Faye , Hogan, Fiona
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Mammalogy Vol. 42, no. 1 (2020), p. 58-66
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Invasive sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) are having significant detrimental impacts on natural environments in south-eastern Australia. Little, however, is known about their ecology, limiting evidence-based management strategies directed at reducing deer impacts. Genetic data, generated from DNA isolated from deer scats, can be used to fill ecological knowledge gaps. This study outlines a non-invasive genetic sampling strategy by which good-quality DNA from a single deer scat can be used to determine (1) species of origin, (2) sex and (3) a unique DNA profile. DNA from deer tissue and sambar deer scat samples were used to develop and optimise molecular methods to collect reliable genetic information. A DNA toolbox is presented that describes how to find, collect and store scat samples, isolate DNA and use molecular markers to generate informative genetic data. Generating genetic data using this approach will support studies aimed at acquiring ecological knowledge about sambar deer. Such knowledge will be critical for developing evidence-based recommendations to improve on-ground management decisions for sambar deer.
- Authors: Davies, Chris , Wright, Wendy , Wedrowicz, Faye , Hogan, Fiona
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Mammalogy Vol. 42, no. 1 (2020), p. 58-66
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Invasive sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) are having significant detrimental impacts on natural environments in south-eastern Australia. Little, however, is known about their ecology, limiting evidence-based management strategies directed at reducing deer impacts. Genetic data, generated from DNA isolated from deer scats, can be used to fill ecological knowledge gaps. This study outlines a non-invasive genetic sampling strategy by which good-quality DNA from a single deer scat can be used to determine (1) species of origin, (2) sex and (3) a unique DNA profile. DNA from deer tissue and sambar deer scat samples were used to develop and optimise molecular methods to collect reliable genetic information. A DNA toolbox is presented that describes how to find, collect and store scat samples, isolate DNA and use molecular markers to generate informative genetic data. Generating genetic data using this approach will support studies aimed at acquiring ecological knowledge about sambar deer. Such knowledge will be critical for developing evidence-based recommendations to improve on-ground management decisions for sambar deer.
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