Roe deer microsatellite genotype data

In the early 1800s, the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) was
probably extirpated from Switzerland, due to overhunting and
deforestation. After a federal law was enacted in 1875 to protect
lactating females and young, and limiting the hunting season, the roe deer
successfully recovered and recolonised Switzerland. In this study, we use
mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA markers to investigate the
recolonisation and assess contemporary genetic structure in relation to
broad topographic features, in order to understand underlying ecological
processes, inform future roe deer management strategies and explore the
opportunity for development of forensic traceability tools. The results
concerning the recolonisation origin support natural, multidirectional
immigration from neighbouring countries. We further demonstrate that there
is evidence of weak genetic differentiation within Switzerland among
topographic regions. Finally, we conclude that the genetic data support
the recognition of a single roe deer management unit within Switzerland,
within which there is a potential for broad scale geographic origin
assignment using nuclear markers to support law enforcement.