Effects of social and population characteristics on the reproductive success of male white-tailed deer

The distribution of male reproductive success has an important influence on patterns of genetic variation within populations and is of considerable importance for management. It is assumed widely that breeding is done by a relatively few dominant males in populations of white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus). However, inferences regarding white-tailed deer reproductive success are based on a small number of visual observations, recently shown to be an inaccurate estimator of breeding success for many species of large mammals. My research goal was to describe the influence of social dominance and population demographic factors (sex ratio, male age structure) on the distribution of reproductive success in male white-tailed deer. I first assisted in the development and validation of a suitable panel of molecular markers (microsatellite DNA loci) to enable accurate paternity assignment. I confirmed that the microsatellite loci would provide accurate parentage assignment in a wide range of deer populations regardless of their geographic location or past population history (e.g., demographic and genetic bottlenecks).; I investigated the effect of social dominance on male breeding success in captive deer. Although dominant males sired most offspring, subordinates also bred successfully and male dominance ranks were not necessarily predictable or stable. I also found the first evidence of multiple paternity in single ungulate litters. The relationship between dominance and male breeding success is more complex than previously believed. Conceptual models of deer breeding behaviors should account for considerable individual heterogeneity among males in their ability to sire offspring. The occurrence of multiple paternity has implications for ungulate mating systems and reproductive strategies.; I sampled 3 populations of white-tailed deer where long-term differences in harvest strategies resulted in a range of demographic conditions and determined paternity and relatedness among offspring cohorts. Mature males (≥3.5 years old) were more successful than young males, but breeding was distributed among a large number of males (∼30% of offspring sired by young males) regardless of the demographic state of the population. My findings are not consistent with accepted views on white-tailed deer reproductive success, which has implications for the management of this species.