Microsatellite investigation of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Scandinavia reveals genetic differentiation of a Baltic Sea Island population

After a decline in the early 19th century, a remnant population of the Scandinavian roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) was protected in southern Sweden around 1840. The roe deer quickly recovered and recolonized most of the Scandinavian Peninsula. In this study, I analyze microsatellite variation in 14 roe deer populations in Scandinavia to (1) investigate if all Swedish roe deer trace their ancestry to southern Sweden, (2) define other areas where roe deer may have remained during the population decline, and (3) examine if the large geographic distances during the expansion phase have influenced the degree and sorting of genetic variation. The results show that the mainland roe deer most likely trace their ancestry to southern Sweden, but interestingly, the two neighboring populations Övedskloster and Wittskövle in the south are significantly different from each other (p<0.01). Furthermore, the population in Wittskövle and roe deer from Köpingsvik at the Baltic Sea Island Öland are significantly different from all other populations (p<0.1). Thus, potentially, there are more than one founder population that contributed to the current Swedish population. The particular differentiation of roe deer from Öland might be an effect of random population genetic processes during the population expansion phase, potentially in combination with introductions of roe deer from other areas than the Swedish mainland. The results are discussed in relation to management of roe deer in Sweden.