Re-mating across years and intra-lineage polygyny are associated with greater than expected levels of inbreeding in wild red deer

The interaction between philopatry and non-random mating has important consequences for the genetic structure of populations, influencing co-ancestry within social groups but also inbreeding. Here, using genetic paternity data, we describe mating patterns in a wild population of red deer (Cervus elaphus) which are associated with marked consequences for co-ancestry and inbreeding in the population. Around a fifth of females mate with a male with whom they have mated previously, and further, females frequently mate with a male with whom a female relative has also mated (intra-lineage polygyny). Both of these phenomena occur more than expected under random mating. Using simulations, we demonstrate that temporal and spatial factors, as well as skew in male breeding success, are important in promoting both re-mating behaviours and intra-lineage polygyny. However, the information modelled was not sufficent to explain the extent to which these behaviours occured. We show that re-mating and in...