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GIS data 2015
DNA fingerprint
Mule deer scat sample locations from 2015

journal article 2016
Non-Invasive Genetic Sampling of Southern Mule Deer Reveals Limited Movement Across California State Route 67 in San Diego County
Lead author: Anna Mitelberg
The Southern Mule Deer is a mobile but non-migratory large mammal found throughout southern California and is a covered species in the San Diego Multi-Species Conservation Plan. We assessed deer movement and population connectivity across California State Route 67 and two smaller roads in eastern San Diego County using non-invasive genetic sampling. We collected deer scat pellets between April and November 2015, and genotyped pellets at 15 microsatellites and a sex determination marker. We successfully genotyped 71 unique individuals from throughout the study area and detected nine recapture events. Recaptures were generally found close to original capture locations (within 1.5 km). We did not detect recaptures across roads; however, pedigree analysis detected 21 first order relative pairs, of which approximately 20% were found across State Route 67. Exact tests comparing allele frequencies between groups of individuals in pre-defined geographic clusters detected significant genetic differentiation across State Route 67. In contrast, the assignment-based algorithm of STRUCTURE supported a single genetic cluster across the study area. Our data suggest that State Route 67 may reduce, but does not preclude, movement and gene flow of Southern Mule Deer.

powerpoint presentation 2014
Connectivity Project Summary: Southern Mule Deer
Lead author: Andrew Bohonak
Presentation from the Connectivity Strategic Plan for Western San Diego County Science Session – July 1, 2014

report 2014
Social Structure and Genetic Connectivity in the Southern Mule Deer: Implications for Management
Lead author: Andrew Bohonak
This is a final report for the project "Social Structure and Genetic Connectivity in the Southern Mule Deer: Implications for Management" to Andrew J. Bohonak from California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW); April 1, 2012 to March 1, 2014; SDSURF Fund 57103A; CDFW grant agreement P1182117).

report 2019
DNA Fingerprinting of Southern Mule Deer in North San Diego County, California (2018-19)
Lead author: Anna Mitelberg
Throughout the western United States, efforts are underway to better understand and preserve migration and movement corridors for mule deer and other big game and to minimize the impacts of development and other landuse change on populations. San Diego County is home to a unique non-migratory subspecies of mule deer, the Southern mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus fuliginatus; herein refered to as “mule deer”). Because it is the only large herbivorous mammal in San Diego, connectivity among mule deer groups is an important indicator of functional connectivity throughout San Diego County urban preserves and has therefore been monitored within central and eastern San Diego County using DNA fingerprinting since 2005. To continue this effort and to assess genetic connectivity in north San Diego County (herein “North County”), we genotyped scat samples from preserves in the area and tissue samples from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. We used non-invasive capture/recapture analyses and pedigree analyses for assessing short-term movement and population clustering analyses to assess gene flow in North County. Additionally, we performed similar analyses on the combined San Diego County dataset, which was composed of the North County dataset collected for this study and a previously collected dataset from central and eastern San Diego County. Using recapture data, we found multiple instances of mule deer crossing roads in urban North County preserves, with several of these events occurring in areas where there are underpasses and culverts known to be used by mule deer. Corroborating previous studies in the region and statewide, pedigree and population structure analyses support the presence of two genetic clusters for mule deer in San Diego County—the “Coastal” and “Inland/Mountain” clusters. Low estimates of effective population size, especially in the Coastal cluster, suggest that to further understand potential vulnerabilities of mule deer in this region, it is important to continue to monitor connectivity, in particular, at the boundary between these two clusters.