Genetic structuring of Coues white-tailed deer in the southwestern United States

Abstract

The manuscripts in this thesis examine different aspects of white-tailed deer. In the first manuscript I used microsatellite DNA markers in the form of multilocus genotype data and microsatellite allele frequencies to examine spatial patterns of genetic relatedness for Coues white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus couesi) in Arizona and New Mexico in naturally fragmented habitats (sky islands) and in relatively continuous habitats (Mogollon Rim). I determined genotype, based on 12 microsatellite markers for 358 Coues white-tailed deer from these two regions. Both population and individual statistics indicate genetic differentiation between the "mainland" (Mogollon Rim) subpopulation and a sky island subpopulation.

Citation

Lopez, Roy G. 2006. Genetic structuring of Coues white-tailed deer in the southwestern United States. Flagstaff, AZ: Northern Arizona University. 68 p. Thesis.