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Landscape genetics of white‐tailed deer in Illinois: a tool for investigating an outbreak of chronic wasting disease

Understanding transmission patterns of wildlife diseases can facilitate predictions of disease spread and allow for identification of risk factors for disease. The objective of this study was to infer population structure and animal movement from genetic information to clarify the relative contribution of direct and environmental components of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) transmission. CWD, a cervid transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, was identified in Illinois in 2002 and is currently being managed through disease surveillance and increased population control. Multi‐locus genotypes were compiled for > 1000 white‐tailed deer sampled through CWD surveillance in Illinois. Using ten microsatellites, inter‐individual genetic relatedness values were calculated for CWD positive deer and for negative deer selected to control for gender, age and harvest location. No differences in genetic relatedness were observed between the two groups, suggesting that contact with relatives does not increase the rate of CWD transmission. Genotypes were further evaluated for genetic isolation by distance to infer gene flow and migration, information which could aid in the prediction of CWD spread across the landscape. Within the seven county study area of northern Illinois, female deer exhibited genetic isolation by distance while male deer did not. Research funded by USGS and IDNR.