Are Western Iberian roe deer populations hotspots of genetic diversity?

• Main Author: Pereira, Jorge C.
• Publication Date: 2022
• Other Authors: Machado, Ana, Saianda, Mafalda, Gonçalves-Anjo, Nuno, Bastos, Estela, Orge, Leonor, Rocha, Sara, Figueira, Luís, Matos, Ana Cristina, Silva, João, Mendonça, Paula, Carvalho, Paulo, Tavares, Paula, Lima, Carla, Alves, Anabela, Esteves, Alexandra, Pinto, Maria de Lurdes, Pires, Isabel, Gama, Adelina, Sargo, Roberto, Silva, Filipe, Seixas, Fernanda, Pinto, Madalena Vieira, Pires, Maria dos Anjos
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.11/8766
• topic: Roe deer; Genetic diversity

Given its geographic isolation, and after the last glaciation, the Iberian Peninsula, become a sanctuary of plants and animal’s diversification, being considered a hotspot of genetic diversity specially for mammal species. The roe deer (Capreolus capreolus - CCR), an herbivore ungulate, has a widespread geographical distribution which extends from the Iberian Peninsula to the north of Scandinavia, being found as well in Turkey, Israel, and Jordan. C. capreolus populations have been subject to a significant number of fluctuations, especially due to anthropogenic activities, which led to a decrease in size and distribution. These alterations combined with translocations of animals of the same species, can lead to meaningful consequences on the genetic structure, diversity, and fitness of populations.