An updated assessment of the genomic health of Odocoileus

Genomic health estimates help inform conservation and management decisions, with genetic load and runs-of-homozygosity (ROH) being two key metrics. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (O. hemionus) are found throughout North America, with some populations declining or of conversation concern. Using genome-wide data from samples across their range, we provide the first estimate of genetic load in mule deer, and revisit ROH estimates using model-based approaches. These updated estimates of ROH notably showed elevated inbreeding in the Key deer, consistent with current conservation designations. We also detected a relatively high number loss-of function mutations in mule deer that we attributed to historical bottlenecks. We also observed an increased overall genetic load in O. hemionus from the Pacific Northwest.