Genetic Variation in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Populations in Western Maryland

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Abstract
Genetic variation and differentiation in 326 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virgin-ianus) from Allegany and Garrett counties, Maryland, were examined by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Of 57 loci examined, 18 were polymorphic. Patterns of frequency distribution of alleles at polymorphic loci indicate considerable genetic heterogeneity within deer from western Maryland; differentiation of deer populations was observed over short geographical distances. The genetic character of the deer of western Maryland is thought to be strongly influenced by natural selection, genetic drift, and the hunting regime.