Spatial Integration of Maturing-Male White-Tailed Deer into the Adult Population

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Abstract
We monitored range-use patterns of 15 male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) orphaned as fawns (<12 months) and 19 males maturing with their mothers. Survivors were radiotracked until they were ≥30-months old. Some males did not change their natal range, whereas others extended it, dispersed from it, or made occasional excursions. Dispersals could be classified as gradual short-distance or abrupt long-distance movements. Orphaned males maintained greater affinity for their natal ranges than did non-orphans, but had seasonal ranges that were larger on average until 18 months of age. Common use of range between non-orphans and their mothers ceased as males matured and all but one dispersed. The multiple-response permutation procedure successfully was used for the analysis of range fidelity over time or between individuals as an alternative to range-overlap estimates. The results support the hypothesis that dispersal evolved as a means to reduce the chance of inbreeding; the inclusive fitness of mothers may benefit most from dispersal of their male offspring, leading to a situation in which mothers force their male offspring to leave.

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