Range overlap and individual movements during breeding season influence genetic relationships of caribou herds in south-central Alaska

摘要: Abstract North American caribou (Rangifer tarandus) herds commonly exhibit little nuclear genetic differentiation among adjacent herds, although available evidence supports strong demographic separation, even for with seasonal range overlap. During 1997–2003, we studied the Mentasta and Nelchina in south-central Alaska using radiotelemetry to determine individual movements overlap during breeding season, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers assess levels of differentiation. Although were considered discrete because females calved separate regions, breeding-range some years provided opportunity male-mediated gene flow, without interchange. Telemetry results revealed female philopatry, emigration despite overlapping distributions. Analyses 13 microsatellites indicated not significantly differentia...