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）与恋家性（Philopatry）是诸多物种共有的行为适应策略，其对个体适合度的增益效应已有充分研究记录。然而，尽管二者对于解析种群连通性与种群动态的空间格局具有重要意义，学界对栖息地保真度与恋家性的种群层面综合效应却关注甚少。本研究采用整合研究方法，探究了二者对黑尾鹿（*Odocoileus hemionus columbianus*）精细尺度遗传结构的影响：基于2004至2013年间65只佩戴GPS项圈的雌性鹿的定位数据，评估其对季节性活动家域的栖息地保真度；同时通过提取48只鹿的DNA，基于线粒体DNA（mtDNA）单倍型分析其恋家性。定位数据的分析结果显示，该种群活动范围极小且具有清晰的季节性家域，同时表现出极高的栖息地保真度；栖息地保真度可提升个体存活率，连续夏季间平均定位点间距每增加1km，个体死亡风险便会上升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母系谱系中存在多世代的恋家性行为。综合上述结果可知，栖息地保真度与显著的性别偏向性恋家性共同作用，可造成显著的短期与长期种群统计隔离，并将母系群体限制为大种群中受局域生命率调控的亚群；在因栖息地保真度与恋家性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可作为保护与管理的基本单元。