Polydactyly in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Supernumerary digits on roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) have been recorded over many decades in Germany. The case described in this communication is believed to be only the second documented example from the UK. A right hind foot of a buck had three equally developed digits arising from a metatarsal that trifurcated.     

Craniometric variability in two populations of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from Spain

Two populations of roe deer from Spain, approximately 300 km apart from each other and currently recognized as separate subspecies. were studied to analyse the nature of the morphological differences between these populations and to assess the validity of its taxonomic division. Sixty-one skulls of roc deer from the Occidental Cantabric Mountains (OCM) and 17 from the Northern lberic Mountains (NIM) were used. No significant sexual dimorphism allowed pooling of male and female samples, on which a large set of 53 measurements was taken. Skulls from the OCM population are, on average, 1·9% larger than those from the NIM population. Twenty-five out of the 53 characters showed some degree of significant differences between means of both populations, though only four showed highly significant differences. Mandible characters were the most variable traits, showing also significant differences between populations. Eight principal factors were extracted. explaining a total of 84·7% of the sample variance. An ANOVA of factor scores from each population revealed significant differences in PF 1 and PF 3. Interpretation of these two factors suggests that morphological differences between both populations can be summarized as specimens from OCM having larger mandibles and broader neurocranium than specimens from NIM. Mandible differences might reflect morphological adaptations to favour the consumption of ligneous plants, which are more frequently eaten by the OCM roe deer population, whereas a broader neurocranium might be related to antler size. It is concluded that biometric differences observed in skulls from these two populations only reflect minor morphological adaptations to different habitats, thus. there is a lack of morphological data to support the taxonomic distinction of the OCM population as a separate subspecies.     

Genetic variability and differentiation in Spanish roe deer (Capreolus capreolus): A phylogeographic reassessment within the European framework

Here we study 109 Iberian roe deer individuals corresponding to 9 Spanish populations. Individuals were sampled at locations that are expected to have acted as refugia for the species during the 20th century. Samples were analyzed for a 436 bp mtDNA fragment from the HVI region of mitochondrial DNA and 10 microsatellites. The 109 sequences gave 31 different haplotypes that enabled identification of a new haplogroup (mainly present in Northwestern Iberian populations and representing roughly a third of our samples) that is not present in other European roe deer populations. Using microsatellites, correspondence analysis and molecular coancestry information revealed high molecular differentiation among Northwestern and Central-Southern Spain roe deer populations. Both sequence and microsatellite analysis reveal that the Spanish roe deer populations are genetically heterogeneous and have high genetic structure clearly separating the Pyrenean-reintroduced populations and two main areas for the species in Spain (Northwestern and Central-Southern) coinciding with the two main areas acting as refugia for the majority of the mammal species during glaciations. The implications of the obtained information as regards the phylogeography of the species are discussed together with suggestions as to appropriate strategies for the conservation and management of populations.     

Ectoparasites on reintroduced roe deer Capreolus capreolus in Israel

The ectoparasite fauna of reintroduced roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) was surveyed in a Mediterranean forest in Israel. Ectoparasites were collected from four female hand-reared deer during 2004 and 2005. Seasonality, predilection sites of infestation, and the apparent effect of the parasites are presented. This is the first study of roe deer parasites in the East Mediterranean. The ectoparasite fauna included three hippoboscid fly (Lipoptena capreoli, Hippobosca equina, and Hippobosca longipennis), four tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus turanicus, Rhipicephalus kohlsi, and Hyalomma marginatum), and one unidentified trombiculid mite species. For most of these ectoparasites, this is the first record on roe deer. All ectoparasite species were documented in Israel prior to the reintroduction program; exotic ectoparasites were not detected.     

Quaternary history of the European roe deer Capreolus capreolus

• 1 The European roe deer Capreolus capreolus is a typical faunal element of the Holocene. It was already present in Europe at least 600 000 years ago and it has been known from both glacial and interglacial phases since then. With nearly 3000 fossil and subfossil records, it is one of the most frequent mammals in the Late Quaternary.
• 2 During the Middle and Late Weichselian Pleniglacial, the distribution of the roe deer was not restricted to the Mediterranean peninsulas but repeatedly reached regions of central Europe. In contrast to that, roe deer records from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, 21.0–14.5 ka ¹⁴C BP) are largely confined to the Mediterranean peninsulas – with the exception of south‐western France and the surroundings of the Carpathians where several records attest to its occurrence during the LGM.
• 3 During the Greenland Interstadial 1 (12.5–10.8 ka ¹⁴C BP), the species' distribution extended further north and the roe deer appeared north of the Alps and reached regions of central Germany. This seems to be correlated with the abrupt change to more favourable environmental conditions during this period. It is very likely that the roe deer disappeared north of the Alps during the Younger Dryas cooling (10.8–10.0 ka¹⁴C BP). The northern regions of the central European lowlands were recolonized by roe deer during the late Preboreal 9.7–9.5 ka ¹⁴C BP for the first time since the Weichselian Glacial.
• 4 The combined pattern of genetic data and fossil records of European roe deer suggests several regions in the Iberian peninsula, southern France, Italy and the Balkans as well as in the Carpathians and/or eastern Europe as glacial refugia. It further suggests that C. capreolus might have recolonized most parts of central‐northern Europe out of one or more eastern European (not Balkan) and/or Carpathian refugia. This recolonization wave might have blocked immigration from the traditional Mediterranean areas.

     

匈牙利平原环境中狍的集群行为

20 0 2年 4月至 2 0 0 3年 4月利用直接观察法对匈牙利平原农田环境中狍的集群行为进行了研究 ,结果显示平均群体数量在寒冷的秋冬季节较大 ,最大群体数量也具有类似的变动趋势 ,2 0 0 3年 2月最大群体有 92 - 94只 ,并保持集群长达 2 0d ,在冷季以大于 5只的群体所占百分比较高。 2 0 0 2年 4月和 2 0 0 3年 3月集群开始解散 ,雄性个体在 2 0 0 2年 6、 7月的交配期独居或保持家庭小群 ,雌性主要与幼体构成家庭群。生活在小片林地的群体数量小于农田群体 ,作者认为农田平原环境的开阔性结构和繁殖生理状态是导致狍群体较大和集群行为变化的近因     

Birth-sex ratios and local resource competition in roe deer, Capreolus capreolus

We investigated variation in the primary sex ratio within andbetween 14 populations of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) inrelation to maternal body condition. The sex ratio was increasinglymale biased as average maternal body weight decreased. Thisrelationship did not vary according to the population consideredand was not affected by the litter size produced. This relationshipwas also apparent within populations. These results indicatethat, where environmental conditions are limiting, roe doestend to produce male-biased litters. Dispersal is more commonand occurs at an earlier age among male juveniles in this species,particularly as density increases and resources become increasinglyscarce. Thus, we suggest that where females experience environmentalstress, they tend to produce male kids to avoid potential futurelocal resource competition posed by female offspring. [BehavEcol 7: 461–464 (1996)]     

Experimental induction of luteal cyclicity in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).

Concentrations of progesterone and luteinizing hormone in plasma were analysed for two consecutive years in samples from nonpregnant female roe deer. Three animals were treated with monthly prostaglandin injections (325 micrograms cloprostenol) from October 1989 to April 1990 and from October 1990 to March 1991, and three were kept as controls. In control animals, a small increase in progesterone concentrations in July 1990 occurred at the same time as the commencement of the rut in other husbanded roe deer. In prostaglandin-treated animals, progesterone concentration was high at the time of the rut and remained so until late February 1990. After the next rut (August 1990), progesterone concentration remained high until March 1991. Between October and February-March, injections of prostaglandins induced dramatic, but temporary (lasting 72 h), decreases in plasma progesterone concentrations, indicating luteal regression and subsequent ovulation. We infer that roe deer can ovulate repeatedly and should therefore not be regarded as an obligate monoestrous species.     

Patterns of dispersal and seasonal migration in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) spacing behaviour, during the period between mother-fawn separation and home range establishment, was studied in southern Sweden during 1987–1992. Data were collected, using telemetry, in two non-hunted populations. Females dispersed either as yearlings, or as 2- or 3-year-olds after having migrated between non-overlapping summer and winter ranges for one and two seasons, respectively. Seasonal migration usually ended with permanent settlement in the new summer area. Males dispersed as one- or two-year-olds, or remained philopatric. Median distance moved was c. 2 km with no significant sex-bias. Both populations underwent one increase, and one stable phase. During the increase phase, the frequency of yearling dispersal was 70% in one of the populations, but dropped to 20% at high density. This drop paralleled a 14% decrease in yearling winter weights. In the other population, yearling dispersal frequency was 56% during the increase phase. This population stopped increasing at an intermediate density and dispersal frequency was kept at 75%. Weights remained high in this population. In neither of the populations, at intermediate and high densities, was a sex-bias in dispersal among yearlings evident. Dispersers were on average heavier than philopatrics. High juvenile winter weight did not predestinate yearlings to dispersal, whereas low weight seemed to prevent dispersal. On the basis of these relationships, we propose a hypothesis relating dispersal to body condition, in order to explain dispersal tendency at different population densities. Further, we suggest the reason for female migration is the advantage of residing in a group during winters when predation risk is high. Since it is difficult for females (but not for males) to join non-relatives, dispersers must go back to the natal area as long as they have too few offspring to form their own matriarchal group.     

Detection of Bartonella DNA in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and in ticks removed from deer

The potential role of roe deer as a sylvatic reservoir of Bartonella in north-west Poland has been assessed. In addition, ticks infesting roe deer were screened to assess their role as a vector and reservoir of Bartonella. Blood and tissue samples of 72 animals from north-western Poland were PCR-screened. Bartonella DNA was detected by using primers complementary to the intergenic spacer between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes, which is used for identification of over a dozen species of this genus. Products of three different sizes were detected: 230 and 290 bp, representative of two strains of Bartonella capreoli, and 190 bp, identified as Bartonella bovis. All the three amplicons were detected in the blood, spleen and liver from the roe deer. All samples from the heart, lungs and kidneys were PCR negative. In ticks (Ixodes ricinus), only the 290 bp fragment from B. capreoli was present. Generally, Bartonella infection rate in Capreolus capreolus amounted to 27.6% of the roe deer, but it was much higher during winter (62%) than in spring (6.9%). The results show that the roe deer may be a reservoir for B. capreoli and B. bovis. The infection detected in I. ricinus ticks (7.7%) suggests that ticks may act as a Bartonella reservoir and vector.     

Prevalence of mandibular osteomyelitis in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Slovenia

Mandibular osteomyelitis in free-ranging cervids is a rare, but eventually fatal, disease. We examined 41,895 defleshed mandibles of roe deer collected throughout Slovenia in 2007. Mandibles from 14,679 fawns had no signs of osteomyelitis, and were excluded from further analysis. Of the remaining 27,216 specimens, chronic osteomyelitis ("lumpy jaw") was found in 113 mandibles (4.2%; 7.0% of adults). The majority of cases were observed from the Mediterranean and subalpine regions, near larger cities and thermal power plants. There was no statistically significant correlation between severity of the mandibular osteomyelitis and body weight. Females were more frequently affected than males. Coarse and abrasive food, and to some extent dental fluorosis, are the most probable triggers for development of lesions.     

A satellite DNA element specific for roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

An abundant tandem repetitive DNA segment (CCsatIII) with a repeat unit of 2.2 kb has been found in the genome of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). It accounts for approximately 5%–10% of the genome and is only present in the two species of the genus Capreolus. The sequence has no similarity or common motifes with other deer satellite DNAs and there is no internal repeat structure. A 93 bp fragment is homologous to a bovine repeat. Fluorescent in situ hybridisation showed a predominant centromeric staining of most chromosomes accompanied by a weak interstitial staining of the same chromosomes. On Southern blots, CCsatIII probes do not discriminate between the closely related Capreolus species. Received: 16 June 1997; in revised form: 5 December 1997 / Accepted: 8 December 1997     

Effects of acepromazine on capture stress in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of a short-acting neuroleptic (acepromazine) on capture stress response in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Sixteen roe deer were captured by drive-nets in the winters of 1998, 1999, and 2001. Roe deer were divided into two groups: animals in the treatment group received an intramuscular injection of acepromazine (0.093 mg/kg +/- 0.003 SEM; n = 8) while animals in the control group (n = 8) did not receive tranquilizer. Heart rate and body temperature, as well as hematologic and biochemical indicators of stress, were used to evaluate effect of the neuroleptic over 3 hr. Heart rate decreased over time after capture in both groups (P < 0.05), but stabilized sooner in the treated roe deer (75 min after capture) than in the controls (105 min after capture). Body temperature decreased over 45 min and then stabilized in both groups (P < 0.05). Comparisons of blood parameters revealed significantly lower red blood cell count (RBC), lymphocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in tranquilized animals compared with controls (at least P < 0.05). A reduction in PCV, lymphocyte count, and serum cortisol concentrations (at least P < 0.05) and an increase in serum creatinine levels (P < 0.05) were recorded over time in control animals, while a reduction in RBC and hemoglobin concentration (at least P < 0.05) and an increase in serum urea concentrations (P < 0.05) over time were observed in the treated group. Finally, a decrease in serum lactate and potassium levels and an increase in CK, AST, ALT, and LDH activities were recorded over time in both groups. Results obtained showed the suitability of using acepromazine in capture operations in order to reduce stress response and prevent its adverse effects in roe deer. The beneficial effect was not only due to the sedative effect of acepromazine, but also to peripheral vasodilatation.     

Hypoderma actaeon: an emerging myiasis in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Subcutaneous larvae of Hypoderma spp. (Diptera: Oestridae) were detected in the dorsal region in 10 roe deer, Capreolus capreolus (Artiodactyla: Cervidae), hunted in central Spain between January and March 2016. All larvae were found in the inner side of the hide during the skinning of the animals. The study of the morphological features of eight larvae of different stages collected from two animals allowed the identification of Hypoderma actaeon Brauer. The small size (4–5 mm) of some of the first instars suggests that the internal lifecycle of H. actaeon may be exclusively subcutaneous. This is the first confirmation of H. actaeon in roe deer; however, further studies to assess the spread of the parasite and to follow the evolution of this myiasis in roe deer are needed.     

Immune gene variability influences roe deer natal dispersal

Dispersal is a key life‐history trait governing the response of individuals, populations and species to changing environmental conditions. In the context of global change, it is therefore essential to better understand the respective role of condition‐, phenotype‐ and genetic‐dependent drivers of dispersal behaviour. Although the importance of immune function and pathogen infestation in determining patterns of dispersal is increasingly recognised, no study to our knowledge has yet investigated the influence of immune gene variability on dispersal behaviour. Here, we filled this knowledge gap by assessing whether individual heterozygosity at five immune gene loci (one from the Major histocompatibility complex and four from encoding Toll‐like receptors) influences roe deer natal dispersal. We found that dispersal propensity was affected by immune gene diversity, suggesting potential pathogen‐mediated selection through over‐dominance. However, the direction of this effect differed between high and low quality individuals, suggesting that dispersal propensity is driven by two different mechanisms. In support of the condition‐dependent dispersal hypothesis, dispersal propensity increased with increasing body mass and, among high quality individuals only (standardized body mass > 18 kg), with increasing immune gene diversity. However, among poor quality individuals, we observed the opposite pattern such that dispersal propensity was higher for individuals with lower immune gene diversity. We suggest that these poor quality individuals expressed an emergency dispersal tactic in an attempt to escape a heavily infested environment associated with poor fitness prospects. Our results have potentially important consequences in terms of population genetics and demography, as well as host–pathogen evolution.