Roe Deer Population Research Articles

Schematizing a historical demographic collapse on a large time span using local, secondary and grey data: The case of Italian roe deer Capreolus capreolus italicus in Central Italy

In this work we attempt to reconstruct the dynamic collapse over time of a regional population of Italian roe deer in central Italy (Latium and Abruzzi) from 15th Century to the present day. To meet this aim, both historical and grey literature (both primary and secondary) has been investigated, and the DPSIR model and a standardized threat taxonomy have been applied. Historically, different driving forces and threat pressures changed the status of roe deer and different conservation responses were promoted. Biological resource use (5.1—“Hunting and collecting terrestrial animals” and 5.3—“Logging and wood harvesting”), Natural system modification (7.1—“Fire” and 7.3—“Other ecosystem modifications, as land reclamation) and Invasive and other problematic species (8.3 “Introduced genetic material and genes”) were the main threats (IUCN standardized taxonomy). We recognized three historical phases and one sub-phase of demographic reduction and collapse: “Aristocratic hunting” phase (15th Century), “Fire weapons and people hunting” phase (from 16th to 18th Century), “Habitat collapse” phase (19th and 20th Century), with a sub-phase of “genetic introgression” beginning in the 1940s. Our analysis highlighted: (i) the role in conservation biology of primary and secondary grey sources of data; and (ii) the use of the DPSIR approach to schematically reconstruct the local factors and processes acting on the demographic collapse of a below-species taxon.

Do relatives like to stay closer? Spatial organization and genetic relatedness in a mountain roe deer population

AbstractThe fine‐scale genetic structure of mammal populations arises from the social and spatial behaviour of individuals. In wild ungulates gene flow is usually mediated by males, being the dispersing sex. The roe deer Capreolus capreolus represents an exception: males and females disperse in similar proportions as juveniles, but are subsequently mostly sedentary as adults, while mechanisms for inbreeding avoidance are more complex and not fully known. We investigated the seasonal variation in the relationship between genetic relatedness and spatial behaviour in a sample of 69 roe deer, monitored from 2002 to 2010 in a high‐density population in Italy. Genetic and spatial analyses, based on individual positions, did not reveal any population structure, neither in the whole sample, nor in the two sexes separately. Our results are coherent with the absence of a sex bias in roe deer dispersal and suggest the existence of a high gene flow across a continuous forest habitat, thus preventing the onset of population structuring at a local scale. We found that genetic relatedness tended to increase with home range proximity, but mostly in winter. Nevertheless, when the extent of overlap between seasonal home ranges with respect to genetic relatedness was considered, males and females seemed to preferably share their home range with relatives of the same sex, reducing the overlap with relatives of the opposite sex during the rutting period. We conclude that home range rearrangements during the breeding season may afford a certain level of spatial segregation between closely related potential mates, thus reducing inbreeding risk.

Indici per il monitoraggio delle popolazioni di cervo e capriolo finalizzati alla valutazione dell'impatto sui soprassuoli forestali in provincia di Pistoia

We analyzed the demographic trends of red deer and roe deer populations between 2009 and2011, using various indexes in a study area in Tuscany where hunting management is carried out.The indexes were derived from direct field surveys (counts) and from hunting data (harvestindexes). The following indexes from counts (IDs) were chosen: density of roe deer/100 ha derivedfrom the application of drive counts and, for red deer, the density of roaring males/100 ha derivedfrom roaring adult male census. Selected IDs were compared with harvest indexes (ICs) chosenamong those most commonly used in the literature, and for which a relationship has been demonstratedwith the effective density of the population: IC1 = n. animals killed/100 ha, IC2 tot = n.hunting sessions / tot. n. animals killed, IC3 tot = n. hunting sessions /tot. animals killed in thefirst 10 days of hunting, IC4 = average n. hunting sessions to kill adult male in the first 10 days ofhunting, IC5 = average n. hunting sessions to kill first head. The study showed that for each indexconsidered there are no significant differences in the three years in question.The study underlines the importance of using density indexes and particularly harvest indexes,for the assessment of population trends of roe deer and red deer, and points out thecriticalities of their possible use on a large scale for management purposes

L'impatto dei cervidi sulla produttività di cedui di cerro e castagno in Toscana. Indagini sperimentali e una proposta metodologica

The aim of this paper is to define a quick method for estimating the loss of wood production at rotation age caused by red deer and roe deer in chestnut coppices and in Turkey oak coppices. Three study areas were chosen for the study, with presence of different or overlapping red deer and roe deer populations. A total of 224 plots were selected in coppiced areas 2 and 5 years after felling. General yield tables were used for estimating coppice growth with and without browsing. Results showed a sensible difference between areas with red deer and areas with only roe deer. Chestnut coppices showed a better reaction to deer browsing compared to Turkey oak coppices. In Turkey oak coppices impacted by red deer browsing after felling, we estimated a sensible loss of production at traditional rotation age (18 years), and an average of 8 years was needed to attain the same level of production as in non-impacted coppices. With only roe deer, an average of 2 years were needed after rotation age to reach expected production. In chestnut coppices, at traditional rotation age (8 years) a loss of wood production was estimated in less than half of all the examined coppices. In these cases 2 more years were estimated to reach the expected production at rotation age. With red deer bark stripping was frequently recorded on both young and older shoots in chestnut coppices. We concluded that in areas with an overabundance of deer such as the one we examined here, there is the need for a change not only in deer management but also in forest management. A shared management strategy of both coppices and deer populations at the different space and time scales is necessary otherwise coppicing will continue to be a factor of strong attraction for deer impact, with serious risks for the conservation of coppice regeneration and productivity. The quick assessment method here presented can be a useful tool for supporting discussion and shared decisions among the different stakeholders involved in natural resource planning and management.

Diversité génétique d’Anaplasma Phagocytophilum, agent de l’anaplasmose granulocytaire, conséquences épidemiologiques et implications pour le contrôle en France

Genetic diversity of anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis, implications for epidemiology and control in France. Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-borne bacterium and the etiologic agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis, an emerging disease that affects a wide range of mammals. In this paper, we present the recent knowledge gained from studies on the genetic diversity of this pathogen in France. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) was used to characterize the genetic diversity of A. phagocytophilum in populations of French cattle, horses, dogs, and roe deer. MLSA was based on nine loci (ankA, msp4, groESL, typA, pled, gyrA, recG, polA, and an intergenic region). Phylogenic analysis revealed three genetic clusters of bacterial variants in domesticated animals. The two principal clusters included 98% of the bacterial genotypes found in cattle, which were only distantly related to those in roe deer. One cluster comprised only cattle genotypes, while the second contained genotypes from cattle, horses, and dogs. The third contained all roe deer genotypes and three cattle genotypes. These results suggest that roe deer do not contribute to the spread of A. phagocytophilum in cattle in France. A Multiple-Locus Variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) Analysis typing technique was developed for A. phagocytophilum. Five VNTRs were selected based on the HZ human-derived strain genome, and were tested on the Webster human-derived strain and on 123 DNA samples. This study confirmed that A. phagocytophilum from roe deer or domestic ruminants belong to two different clusters, while A. phagocytophilum from red deer and domestic ruminants locate within the same cluster, questioning the respective roles of roe vs red deer as reservoir hosts for domestic ruminant strains in Europe. The molecular techniques recently developed have great potential to provide detailed information on A. phagocytophilum isolates, improving both epidemiological and phylogenic investigations, thereby helping in the development of relevant prevention and control measures.

Snow sinking depth and forest canopy drive winter resource selection more than supplemental feeding in an alpine population of roe deer

In alpine environments, snow typically reduces the accessibility of herbivores to food during winter and may hamper survival in those species with poor adaptation to move in deep snow. Supplemental feeding systems compensate for food limitation, but modify resource distribution and potentially affect individual space use. We investigated the importance of snow cover and supplemental feeding in shaping winter habitat use and selection of the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), a small deer species not specifically adapted to snow. We applied a used/available experimental design to assess the effects of snow cover on roe deer distribution at a fine scale and compared this approach with remotely sensed satellite data, available at moderate spatial resolution (snow MODIS). Based on this, we developed a resource selection function. We found a strong selection for habitat spots covered by forest where snow sinking depth was less pronounced, likely providing thermal and hiding protection on the one side and minimising the effect of snow on locomotion on the other. Roe deer showed only a minor preference for sites in proximity to feeding stations, possibly compensating the costs of access to these sites by means of a ‘trail-making’ behaviour. Snow cover assessed by moderate resolution satellite was not proportional to roe deer probability of use, highlighting the importance of local information on snow quality and distribution to complement remotely sensed data.

Reduced microsatellite heterozygosity does not affect natal dispersal in three contrasting roe deer populations

Although theoretical studies have predicted a link between individual multilocus heterozygosity and dispersal, few empirical studies have investigated the effect of individual heterozygosity on dispersal propensity or distance. We investigated this link using measures of heterozygosity at 12 putatively neutral microsatellite markers and natal dispersal behaviour in three contrasting populations of European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), a species displaying pre-saturation condition-dependent natal dispersal. We found no effect of individual heterozygosity on either dispersal propensity or dispersal distance. Average heterozygosity was similar across the three studied populations, but dispersal propensity and distance differed markedly among them. In Aurignac, dispersal propensity and distance were positively related to individual body mass, whereas there was no detectable effect of body mass on dispersal behaviour in Chizé and Trois Fontaines. We suggest that we should expect both dispersal propensity and distance to be greater when heterozygosity is lower only in those species where dispersal behaviour is driven by density-dependent competition for resources.

The Role of Game (Wild Boar and Roe Deer) in the Spread of Tick-Borne Encephalitis in the Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, the incidence of human tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) has been increasing over the last two decades. At the same time, populations of game have also shown an upward trend. In this country, the ungulate game is the main host group of hosts for Ixodes ricinus female ticks. This study examined the potential contribution of two most widespread game species (roe deer [Capreolus capreolus] and wild boar [Sus scrofa]) to the high incidence of TBE in the Czech Republic, using the annual numbers of culls as a proxy for the game population. This was an ecological study, with annual figures for geographical areas-municipalities with extended competence (MEC)-used as units of analysis. Between 2003 and 2011, a total of 6213 TBE cases were reported, and 1062,308 roe deer and 989,222 wild boars were culled; the culls of roe deer did not demonstrate a clear temporal trend, but wild boar culls almost doubled (from 77,269 to 143,378 per year). Statistical analyses revealed a positive association between TBE incidence rate and the relative number of culled wild boars. In multivariate analyses, a change in the numbers of culled wild boars between the 25th and 75th percentile was associated with TBE incidence rate ratio of 1.23 (95% confidence interval 1.07-1.41, p=0.003). By contrast, the association of TBE with culled roe deer was not statistically significant (p=0.481). The results suggest that the size of the wild boar population may have contributed to the current high levels and the rising trend in incidence of TBE, whereas the regulated population of roe deer does not seem to be implicated in recent geographical or temporal variations in TBE in the Czech Republic.

Roe deer population structure in a highly fragmented landscape

Northern Belgium (Flanders) is one of the most densely populated and urbanized regions in Europe. Many species are therefore likely to suffer from anthropogenic pressure and habitat destruction and fragmentation. Although many large mammals are recolonizing in parts of Europe, including Belgium, due to adaptation, a relaxation of persecution and habitat restoration, we have little actual data concerning the effects of landscape features on their population structure. We analysed the genetic structure of discrete roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) populations in the Eastern part of Flanders, with special emphasis on the impact of habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic barriers. The sampled populations were clearly genetically differentiated. Genetic structure could be explained by purely distance-based landscape modelling, but a simpler model focusing solely on barrier effects of large transportation infrastructure explained nearly as much genetic variance. In contrast, analyses based on least-cost landscape modelling failed to yield a significant effect. Overall, the results suggest considerable landscape-level effects of transportation infrastructure.

Interindividual variability in habitat use: evidence for a risk management syndrome in roe deer?

The way an individual reacts to the risk of predation or disturbance may have important consequences for its immediate and future survival. Risk is likely perceived differently by individuals in relation to among-individual differences in correlated behavioral traits, that is, syndromes or personalities. Given that animals can avoid the risk of predation/disturbance through modification of their habitat use, we might expect individuals of differing behavioral types to adopt contrasting tactics of habitat use when faced with risky or stressful situations. We studied the relationship between habitat use and among-individual variation in behavioral profile in a population of roe deer. We hypothesized that an individual's habitat use tactics should be related to their capacity to cope with risky situations. In particular, we predicted that more reactive (risk-averse) roe deer, with relatively high behavioral response and high body temperature at capture, long flight distances and which were more vigilant during feeding, should use riskier open habitat less, particularly when risk is high. We found that although the use of open habitat during the day was negatively correlated with the indices of reactivity at capture, it was also positively correlated with indices of reactivity while foraging in open habitat. Furthermore, most of the behavioral parameters we measured were intercorrelated and moderately repeatable, potentially indexing personality traits. We conclude that there is substantial interindividual variability in how individuals manage risky situations which imposes constraints on how they are able to exploit high-risk habitats, suggesting the existence of a risk management syndrome in this large herbivore.

A comparison of the physiological status in parasitized roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from two different populations

Studies of the impact of parasites on host performance have mainly focused on body mass, a phenotypic trait that responds relatively slowly to the presence of parasites, and the expectedly faster response of physiological parameters has been mostly overlooked. We filled the gap by measuring the impact of endoparasites on four hematological/biochemical parameters (hematocrit, albumin, creatinine and fructosamine) in two contrasting free-living populations of roe deer. We generally found negative relationships between parasites and physiological parameters. Our findings also indicate little role of host sex on parasite impact and strongest parasite effects on young and senescent hosts.

Does land use within the home range drive the exposure of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) to two abortive pathogens in a rural agro-ecosystem?

The recent increase in interactions between wildlife and domestic animals has heightened the risks of transmission of pathogens between wildlife, livestock, and humans. Our objective was to better understand how the spatial behavior of wildlife impacts their exposure to pathogens. We carried out a 5-year serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii and Chlamydia abortus in a roe deer population (Capreolus capreolus) living in a rural landscape and monitored using GPS technology. We tested whether the apparent seroprevalence of these pathogens was related to the characteristics of roe deer’s home range, indirectly reflecting the probability of contact between deer and domestic hosts (cats for T. gondii and ruminants for C. abortus). We controlled for the effects of temperature and rainfall, as local weather can affect pathogen survival in the environment. Overall, apparent seroprevalences were 43.7 and 15.8 % for T. gondii (N = 135) and C. abortus (N = 133), respectively. The apparent seroprevalence to T. gondii increased with the proportion of human dwellings (a proxy of cat presence) within the roe deer’s core home range and was higher during mild and wet years. This result illustrates how the spatial behavior of wild animals can modulate their exposure to pathogens through the degree of spatial overlap with a domestic host. By contrast, apparent seroprevalence to C. abortus increased with the annual number of frosty days but not with the proportion of meadows occupied by domestic ruminants within the core home range. This suggests that the cycle of C. abortus in wild animals could be somewhat independent from that in livestock.

Unexpected population genetic structure of European roe deer in Poland: an invasion of the mtDNA genome from Siberian roe deer

Introgressive hybridization is a widespread evolutionary phenomenon which may lead to increased allelic variation at selective neutral loci and to transfer of fitness-related traits to introgressed lineages. We inferred the population genetic structure of the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Poland from mitochondrial (CR and cyt b) and sex-linked markers (ZFX, SRY, DBY4 and DBY8). Analyses of CR mtDNA sequences from 452 individuals indicated widespread introgression of Siberian roe deer (C. pygargus) mtDNA in the European roe deer genome, 2000 km from the current distribution range of C. pygargus. Introgressed individuals constituted 16.6% of the deer studied. Nearly 75% of them possessed haplotypes belonging to the group which arose 23 kyr ago and have not been detected within the natural range of Siberian roe deer, indicating that majority of present introgression has ancient origin. Unlike the mtDNA results, sex-specific markers did not show signs of introgression. Species distribution modelling analyses suggested that C. pygargus could have extended its range as far west as Central Europe after last glacial maximum. The main hybridization event was probably associated with range expansion of the most abundant European roe deer lineage from western refugia and took place in Central Europe after the Younger Dryas (10.8-10.0 ka BP). Initially, introgressed mtDNA variants could have spread out on the wave of expansion through the mechanism of gene surfing, reaching high frequencies in European roe deer populations and leading to observed asymmetrical gene flow. Human-mediated introductions of C. pygargus had minimal effect on the extent of mtDNA introgression.

Will Roe Deer Persist in a Warmer World?

Will Roe Deer Persist in a Warmer World?

Parasite abundance contributes to condition‐dependent dispersal in a wild population of large herbivore

Parasite abundance has been shown to have major consequences for host fitness components such as survival and reproduction. However, although natal dispersal is a key life history trait, whether an individual's decision to disperse or not is influenced by the abundance of parasites it carries remains mostly unknown. Current and opposing hypotheses suggest that infected individuals should either be philopatric to avoid the energetic costs of dispersal (condition dependence) or disperse to escape from heavily parasitised habitats. From intensive monitoring of a roe deer population inhabiting a multi‐use and spatially heterogeneous agricultural landscape, we evaluated the link between an individual's parasite abundance and its propensity to disperse, while accounting for confounding effects of body mass. Dispersal propensity generally decreased with both increasing nematode abundance and with decreasing body mass. Within the dispersing segment of the population, individuals with high nematode abundance left their natal home range later in the season than less parasitised deer. These results clearly show that parasite abundance is an important component of condition‐dependent dispersal in large herbivores. However, unexpectedly, three individuals that were both heavily parasitised and of low body mass dispersed. We suggest that this ‘leave it’ response to high parasite levels in the natal habitat could represent a last ditch attempt to improve reproductive prospects, constituting a form of emergency life history strategy.

Living on the Edge: Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) Density in the Margins of Its Geographical Range

Over the last decades roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) populations have increased in number and distribution throughout Europe. Such increases have profound impacts on ecosystems, both positive and negative. Therefore monitoring roe deer populations is essential for the appropriate management of this species, in order to achieve a balance between conservation and mitigation of the negative impacts. Despite being required for an effective management plan, the study of roe deer ecology in Portugal is at an early stage, and hence there is still a complete lack of knowledge of roe deer density within its known range. Distance sampling of pellet groups coupled with production and decay rates for pellet groups provided density estimates for roe deer in northeastern Portugal (Lombada National Hunting Area - LNHA, Serra de Montesinho – SM and Serra da Nogueira – SN; LNHA and SM located in Montesinho Natural Park). The estimated roe deer density using a stratified detection function was 1.23/100 ha for LNHA, 4.87/100 ha for SM and 4.25/100 ha in SN, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 0.68 to 2.21, 3.08 to 7.71 and 2.25 to 8.03, respectively. For the entire area, the estimated density was about 3.51/100 ha (95% CI - 2.26–5.45). This method can provide estimates of roe deer density, which will ultimately support management decisions. However, effective monitoring should be based on long-term studies that are able to detect population fluctuations. This study represents the initial phase of roe deer monitoring at the edge of its European range and intends to fill the gap in this species ecology, as the gathering of similar data over a number of years will provide the basis for stronger inferences. Monitoring should be continued, although the study area should be increased to evaluate the accuracy of estimates and assess the impact of management actions.

Pathogens of zoonotic and biological importance in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus): Seroprevalence in an agro-system population in France

Antibody prevalence for several infectious and parasitic diseases in a population of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) inhabiting a mixed agricultural landscape (south of France) has been analyzed. Serological analyses with ELISA in 245 animals captured from 2008 to 2012 has been performed. We found a high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (46.4%), Chlamydophila abortus (17.27%) and Coxiella burnetii (11.26%) compared to other studies in Europe. Seroprevalence varied strongly among years for T. gondii (27–91%), C. abortus (0–42%) and C. burnetii (0–27%). T. gondii prevalence was lower in juvenile females, compared to juvenile males and adults of both sexes. Other pathogens had low prevalences: Neospora caninum (1.56%), Bovine herpesvirus 1 (1.17%, 2008/09; 1.1%, 2010/11), Mycoplasma agalactiae (1.45%, 2009/10), Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (0.9%) and Slow viruses (CAEV–MVV) (0.15%, 2008/10; 0%, 2011/12). Antibodies to bluetongue virus and pestiviruses were not found in any individual.

First report of Cephenemyia stimulator (Diptera, Oestridae) parasitizing Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Extremadura (Spain)

We describe the first two cases of parasitization by the dipterous parasite Cephenemyia stimulator in roe deer Capreolus capreolus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Extremadura. The first case was detected in an adult male from a private hunting estate (39o24’ N, 5o32’ W) in Berzocana (Cáceres, Spain). A total of 77 C. stimulator larvae were counted, of which 34 corresponded to instar II (L-II) and 43 to instar III (L-III), all of which were located in the upper airways. The second case was detected in another male roe deer from a local hunting estate (39o19’ N, 5o22’ W) in Logrosán (Cáceres, Spain), from which a total of 37 larvae (2 L-II and 35 L-III) were collected, all of which were located in the oronasal cavities. This paper not only provides the first report of this parasite in Extremadura, but also describes the southernmost occurrence of a potentially autochthonous infestation by C. stimulator in European roe deer. We recommend implementing surveillance measures in roe deer populations in Spain and creating strict biosecurity guidelines on translocations, especially regarding animals from affected areas. The presence of C. stimulator in Extremadura suggests it has adapted well to the ecological conditions of the southern Iberian Peninsula.

Estima de una población de corzo mediante modelos de captura-recaptura clásicos y espacialmente explícitos

Modern wildlife conservation and management requires accurate methods for population census and monitoring. In this work, we estimated the roe deer population (Capreolus capreolus) of Quintos de Mora (Toledo, Spain) in two close areas: one open and other fenced. For roe deer population estimates we used capture-recapture models and photo-identification of males by camera traps on feeding points by summer 2012. We used both a classic non-spatially explicit and a spatially explicit (SECR) capturerecapture models. Maximum-likelihood estimations MLE and Bayesian approaches were used in both cases. In the open area, deer estimates varied between 0.50 ± 0.14 (SECR approach) and 1.04 ± 0.14 (classic Bayesian approach) individuals per square kilometer, whereas in the fenced area between 7.58 ± 0.34 (classical Bayesian approach) and 11.25 ± 3.05 (SECR MLE approach) individuals per square kilometer. Finally we compared our estimations with direct counts. Although our estimates resulted consistent we recommend the use of SECR approaches for avoiding sampling area misspecifications.

First report of Cephenemyia stimulator (Diptera, Oestridae) parasitizing Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Extremadura (Spain)

We describe the first two cases of parasitization by the dipterous parasite Cephenemyia stimulator in roe deer Capreolus capreolus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Extremadura. The first case was detected in an adult male from a private hunting estate (39º24` N, 5º32` W) in Berzocana (Cáceres, Spain). A total of 77 C. stimulator larvae were counted, of which 34 corresponded to instar II (L-II) and 43 to instar III (L-III), all of which were located in the upper airways. The second case was detected in another male roe deer from a local hunting estate (39º19` N, 5º22` W) in Logrosán (Cáceres, Spain), from which a total of 37 larvae (2 L-II and 35 L-III) were collected, all of which were located in the oronasal cavities. This paper not only provides the first report of this parasite in Extremadura, but also describes the southernmost occurrence of a potentially autochthonous infestation by C. stimulator in European roe deer. We recommend implementing surveillance measures in roe deer populations in Spain and creating strict biosecurity guidelines on translocations, especially regarding animals from affected areas. The presence of C. stimulator in Extremadura suggests it has adapted well to the ecological conditions of the southern Iberian Peninsula.