Data from: Implications of fidelity and philopatry for the population structure of female black-tailed deer

Site fidelity and philopatry are behavioral adaptations found in many species and their fitness benefits are well documented. The combined population level consequences of site fidelity and philopatry, however, have received little attention despite their importance for understanding spatial patterns in connectivity and population dynamics. We used an integrative approach to explore consequences of fidelity and philopatry on the fine-scale genetic structure of black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus). We assessed fidelity to seasonal home ranges based on location data from 65 female deer fitted with GPS collars between 2004-2013. We assessed philopatry from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes using DNA extracted from 48 deer. Results based on location data revealed very small movements and seasonal home ranges together with high site fidelity. Fidelity improved survival; every 1 km increase in mean interlocation distances between consecutive summers increased the risk of mortality by 58%. Results from mtDNA sequencing revealed high genetic differentiation (FST > 0.30) and low haplotype sharing among geographic areas separated by as little as 4-10 km. The high genetic differentiation indicated multigenerational periods of philopatric behavior in the matrilineage of black-tailed deer. Combined these results suggest that site fidelity together with strong sex biased philopatry can create marked short and long-term demographic isolation and trap matriarchal units as a subset of the larger population with locally determined vital rates. Where such fine scale population structuring as a consequence of fidelity and philopatry occurs, matrilineal groups might in some cases best serve as the basic units of conservation and management.

栖息地保真度（site fidelity）与恋乡习性（philopatry）是众多物种均具备的行为适应策略，二者对个体适合度的收益已有充分的文献记载。然而，尽管栖息地保真度与恋乡习性对于理解种群连通性的空间格局及种群动态至关重要，但二者对种群整体水平的综合影响却鲜有研究关注。本研究采用整合研究方法，探究了栖息地保真度与恋乡习性对黑尾鹿（Odocoileus hemionus columbianus）精细尺度遗传结构的影响。我们基于2004年至2013年间佩戴GPS项圈的65头雌性黑尾鹿的定位数据，评估了其对季节性活动家域的栖息地保真度；同时通过提取48头黑尾鹿的DNA，基于线粒体DNA（mtDNA）单倍型分析了其恋乡习性。定位数据的分析结果显示，黑尾鹿的活动距离极短，活动家域呈现季节性特征，且栖息地保真度极高。栖息地保真度可提升个体存活率：连续两个夏季间的平均定位间距每增加1km，个体的死亡风险便会上升58%。线粒体DNA测序结果显示，即便仅相隔4至10公里的地理区域间，遗传分化程度也极高（固定分化指数FST > 0.30），且单倍型共享率极低。这种高水平的遗传分化表明，黑尾鹿的母系谱系中存在多世代的恋乡行为。综合上述结果可知，栖息地保真度与强烈的性别偏向性恋乡习性，可造成显著的短期与长期种群人口统计学隔离，并将母系群体限制为大种群中的一个子集，使其生命参数受当地环境调控。在因栖息地保真度与恋乡习性而形成此类精细尺度种群结构的区域中，母系群体在部分场景下或可成为保护与管理的基本单元。