Hunting for a Solution

We determined the occurrence and extent of hybridization between desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki) and white-tailed deer (0. virginianus texanus) in the Trans-Pecos Region of Texas. Muscle samples were obtained from deer killed by hunters at 27 different locations in a 5-county area of southwestern Texas during the 1984 hunting season. Samples were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to identify fixed albumin protein banding patterns for each species and for hybrids. Of 319 deer examined, the occurrence of hybrids varied among collection locations from 0 to 24%, with an average of 5.6% for the entire study area. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 50(4):688-690 Landowners in the Texas Trans-Pecos Region rely on desert mule deer hunting leases for income, and thus are concerned about the expansion of white-tailed deer into areas previously occupied by desert mule deer. Wiggers and Beasom (1986) linked this range expansion to encroachment of brushy vegetation that now favors white-tailed deer. Biologists in the TransPecos Region have noted a decline in mule deer and an increase in white-tailed deer numbers (Harwell and Gore 1981). About 30-40% of the Trans-Pecos Region is populated by both deer species (West 1985). Kraimer (1973) reported that mule deer bucks occasionally were attracted to white-tailed deer does during the rut, but sexual interactions between the 2 species were rarely documented. He suggested that differing morphology and scents prohibited interspecific courtships. However, free-ranging white-tailed deer x mule deer hybrids have been documented in Arizona (Day 1980) and Canada (Wishart 1980, McClymont et al. 1982). Wishart (1980) also found that some hybrids were fertile and produced viable offspring. Several landowners and deer biologists believe mule and white-tailed deer in the TransPecos Region are interbreeding (R. L. Marburger, pers. commun.; E. P. Wiggers, pers. commun.). Documentation of this phenomenon and its frequency is important in formulating ecologically sound deer management programs. Our objective was to determine the occurrence and extent of hybridization between free-ranging mule and white-tailed deer in the Texas Trans-Pecos Region. Collections of samples from deer over such an extensive area could not have been accomplished without the cooperation and assistance of numerous hunters, landowners, and wildlife professionals. Funding for this research was provided by the Caesar Kleberg Found. Wildl. Conserv. This paper represents Manuscript T-9428 of the College Agric. Sci., Texas Tech Univ. We thank R. K. Chesser, M. H. Smith, K. T. Sc ibner, and R. L. Marchinton for reviewing an earlier version of this manuscript. STUDY AREA AND METHODS The study area included Jeff Davis, Presidio, Brewster, Pecos, and Terrell counties in the Texas Trans-Pecos Region (Fig. 1). Geographically, the region varies from lowland flats to mountains with elevations from 760 to 2,600 m. Average annual precipitation for the area is 25-30 cm, most of which occurs in July and August. Vegetation is typical of the Chihuahuan Desert (Gould 1975). Species ratios vary from 1:19 (mule deer: white-tailed deer) in the eastern part to 8:1 in the western part of the study area (West 1985). In summer 1984, 30 cooperating landowners were provided prepared sampling packages, which consisted of freezer bags for muscle samples, and a card with instructions and information to be collected. Landowners distributed sampling packages to hunters during the 1984 'Present address: School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602. 2 Present address: Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843.

Wild boars (Sus scrofa) are notorious for accumulating high contamination levels of 137Cs in their meat. Publicly available data of 137Cs contamination levels in wild boars from 2011 to 2019 were used to determine some radioecological characteristics in Germany (affected by Chernobyl-fallout, 1986) and Japan (affected Fukushima, 2011). The effective half-life of 137Cs in wild boar meat was much longer in Germany (7.3 y) than in Japan (2.6 y), respectively. Wild boars in Germany thus show much more persistent contamination levels than other game or forest animals. This unusual behavior has been termed “wild boar paradox.” In German wild boars, the data sets reveal a distinct geographical and seasonal dependence with higher activity concentrations in winter than in summer. In Japan, contamination levels only exhibit a distinct decline behavior.

Physical condition in 2 herds of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus texanus) was assessed through postmortem analysis of weight, fat, antler, whole blood, and blood serum. One herd was existing at a normal population density and the other was artificially maintained at a high density within a 391-ha predator exclosure. Adult deer within the predator exclosure had lower values for bled carcass weight, eviscerated carcass weight, kidney fat index, femur marrow fat, paired adrenal gland weight, number of antler points, hemoglobin, serum creatinine, iron, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase than those outside the exclosure. Fawns within the exclosure had lower eviscerated carcass weights and higher relative adrenal weights and blood urea nitrogen levels. Body weights, kidney fat, and femur marrow fat were the best indicators of physical condition when postmortem sampling was done. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 47(3):583-594 Previous studies of white-tailed deer on the 3,157-ha Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation Refuge in south Texas documented high mortality rates among newborn fawns, primarily because of coyote (Canis latrans) predation (Knowlton 1964, White 1966, Cook et al. 1971). An intensive predator control program, initiated in 1973 within a fenced 391-ha study area, was successful in increasing fawn survival. As a result, deer population density increased. Counts by helicopter in January 1975 yielded density estimates of 81 deer/km2 inside the predator exclosure, but only 40 deer/km2 on surrounding areas outside the exclosure. In 1976, estimated densities were 64 deer/km2 inside the predator exclosure and 49 deer/ km2 outside (Kie 1977, Kie et al. 1979). Deer inside the predator exclosure exhibited lower reproductive rates, delays in conception and parturition, longer antler velvet retention, earlier shedding of hardened antlers (Kie et al. 1979), greater grass and less forb consumption, lower levels of rumen-content crude protein, and increases in rumen calcium-to-phosphorus ratios (Kie et al. 1980). These differences suggested that deer within the exclosure were on suboptimal nutrition and were in poorer condition. Measures of body weight were among the 1st-used indicators of physical condition in deer. Body weight was related to range conditions by Johnson (1937), Park and Day (1942), Severinghaus (1955), and others. These authors also suggested that antler measurements were useful indicators of the relationship between range quality and deer numbers. Qualitative and quantitative measurements of fat stores have also been used to assess physical condition in deer and other mammals. However, fat may be deposited in several forms and locations throughout the body (Pond 1978). In the past, analyses have included examination of rump and other subcutaneous fat, total abdominal fat, fat surrounding the kidneys (Riney 1955), combined indices of subcutaneous and visceral fat (Kistner et al. 1980), lipid content of bone marrow (usually from the femur in ungulates) (Cheatum 1949), and blood serum lipid concentraIA contribution of the Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station and the Welder Wildlife Foundation (WWF #271). J. Wildl. Manage. 47(3):1983 583 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.102 on Mon, 03 Oct 2016 06:25:35 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 584 WHITE-TAILED DEER CONDITION PARAMETERS * Kie et al. Table 1. Monthly and weighted yearly mean age, weight, fat, and blood values of adult white-tailed deer outside and inside a predator exclosure, Welder Wildlife Refuge, July 1975-May 1976.

Fourteen vegetative parameters and a Land Surface Ruggedness Index (LSRI) were quantified on 306,000 ha of rangeland in western Texas and eastern New Mexico that differentially supported high and low densities of desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki) and white-tailed deer (0. virginianus texanus). Percent woody cover was the only parameter measured that was significantly different (P 75%. Increases in white-tailed deer densities were positively correlated (r = 0.69, P < 0.001) with increases in percent woody cover. Using the measurement of percent woody cover, we correctly classified 83 and 65% of the 17 study areas into high and low density classes, respectively, for white-tailed deer and desert mule deer. It is apparent that desert mule deer populations on rangelands in this region could be enhanced by limiting woody plant canopy cover in their habitats to about 40%. Conversely, white-tailed deer populations would be favored by encouraging brush encroachment above this level. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 50(1):129-134 The Trans-Pecos and Panhandle regions of west Texas accommodate ranges of both desert mule deer and white-tailed deer. Landowners, spo smen, and biologists are concerned about an apparent population decline in desert mule deer and an increase in white-tailed deer in areas traditionally considered desert mule deer range (Harwell and Gore 1981). Although no substantive data are available, it is thought that this situation resulted from brush infestation 'Present address: School of Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife, 112 Stephens Hall, University of MissouriColumbia, Columbia, MO 65211. 2 Present address: Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, P.O. Box 218, Texas A&I University, Kingsville, TX 78363. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.236 on Tue, 11 Jul 2017 17:51:06 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 130 DEER IN WEST TEXAS * Wiggers and Beasom J. Wildl. Manage. 50(1):1986 (Humphrey 1958, Johnston 1963, U.S. Dep. Agric. 1964) that has altered habitat conditions to favor white-tailed deer (Harwell and Gore 1981). Krfimer (1972) reported similar patterns of white-tailed deer encroachment in the westcentral United States and southern Canada. He suggested that the increasing densities of woody vegetation along water channels may have influenced a shift in species ratio favoring whitetailed deer. Habitat requirements for either deer species in west Texas are not well defined, especially on sympatric and adjacent ranges. This knowledge is essential before concerns regarding the future status of the desert mule deer can be addressed. Further, the lack of habitat information restricts the formulation of management guidelines for possible habitat improvement for either species. Our objective was to determine if selected habitat attributes differentially influenced population levels of desert mule deer and white-tailed deer. Support for this work was provided by the U.S. For. Serv., Rocky Mt. For. and Range Exp. Stn., and the Dep. Range and Wildl. Manage., Texas Tech Univ. We thank the many private ranchers in west Texas and personnel of the Tex. Parks and Wildl. Dep., the U.S. Soil Conserv. Serv., the U.S. Natl. Park Serv., and the U.S. Bur. Land Manage. (BLM) for their support in this project. STUDY AREAS AND METHODS Study areas were selected that were known to support or previously have supported populations of both deer species. They included all or parts of 30 private ranches, 1 state and 1 federally administered park in west Texas, and the Mescalero Sands area in southeastern New Mexico (Fig. 1). These areas totaled 306,000 ha of habitat where desert mule deer and whitetailed deer populations are sympatric or contiguously allopatric. Overlapping populations of desert mule deer and white-tailed deer in Texas occur in the Panhandle and Trans-Pecos geographic regions (Harwell and Gore 1981, Russ 1981). In the Panhandle Region, including the Mescalero Sands in southeastern New Mexico, deer are associated primarily with the Rolling Plains Physiographic Area. The Rolling Plains occupies a zone between the arid, desert regions to the southwest and the more humid regions to the east. Precipitation averages about 52 cm NEW MEXICO

Phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis E virus in domestic swine and wild boar in Germany

Extinction in the Anthropocene.