Hybridisation rates, population structure, and dispersal of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) and rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) in south-eastern Australia

Context Introduced populations of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) and rusa timorensis) are present across south-eastern Australia subject to local population control alleviate their negative impacts. For management be effective, identification dispersal capability units is necessary. These species also readily hybridise, so additional investigation hybridisation rates distributions necessary understand the interactions between two species.Aims Measure rate deer, assess broad-scale structure within both identify distinct for future control, measure likely species.Methods In total, 198 189 three suspected hybrid samples were collected Victoria New South Wales (NSW). After sequencing filtering, 14 099 polymorphic single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers retained analysis. Hybridisation assessed before data split by structure, diversity indices, distances.Key results Across entire dataset, 17 hybrids detected. Broad-scale was evident in but not among sites where sampled. Analysis ability showed that a majority movement occurred 20km species, suggesting limited dispersal.Conclusions Distinct can identified from allowing independent control. Although populations, limits suggest sampled this study could managed separately. Sambar×rusa NSW difficult detect on basis morphology alone.Implications Genetic analysis estimates assist delineating may apparent. The impacts associated with require further determine whether removal should considered priority aim.