Genetic variation in an isolated Italian population of fallow deer Dama dama as revealed by RAPD-PCR

Thirty-three random decanucleotide primers were tested for polymorphisms in a fenced Italian population of fallow deer Dama dama (Linnaeus, 1758), and 23 primers provided reproducible amplification patterns. The proportion of variable loci was 17.5% and the resulting intrapopulational similarity ind ex was relatively high (S-a = 0.940). These data are in accordance with pre vious results obtained in screenings of other European fallow deer populati ons for biochemical variation. A comparison with a northern German specimen indicated low genetic variation also on an interpopulational level. Taking into account population histories (mass extinction, domestication, reintro ductions) and the mating systems adopted, long-term effective population si zes in fallow deer should have been low, and low genetic variability could be expected. Given generally low levels of genetic variation, the RAPD-tech nique still detected a number of polymorphisms. Using a sufficient number o f primers its resolution is considered satisfactory for individual typing o r paternity analyses.