European and Siberian roe deer

As a species the roe deer occurs from the Iberian Peninsula to (almost) the Volga River, from northern Finland to the Mediterranean countries, Caucasus and northern Iran. The range is partly patchy, for instance in Ireland, the islands of the Mediterranean, eastern Finland and a few more locations this pleasant game animal is not found. The roe deer inhabiting Siberia were once thought to belong to the same species but today it is clear that the areas east of Volga are inhabited by another species (Capreolus pygargus).  Repeated attempts have been made to settle the Siberian roe deer, with larger and more handsome antlers, in Europe to make them distribute their valuable genes here but the attempts have been unsuccessful. Studying the reasons it has become clear that the genotypes differ and that getting offspring is not likely. Offspring is born only from a coupling between a European roe deer goat and a Siberian doe, and of those only the female offspring is fertile – so German game biologists have written. So it is possible in principle that among the population of Capreolus capreolus in some European regions genes from the Siberian roe deer may be present. It is believed that at some time attempts have been made to settle Siberian roe deer in Saaremaa but these tales cannot be confirmed nor disproved. The antlers of roe deer in Saaremaa differ however slightly from those on the mainland, reminding in shape somewhat those of their Siberian relative.

Tiit Randveer

 

Sildid