Odocoileus hemionus (Mule and black-tailed deer)
Credit: Kunjie Pang
about the species
Mule and black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are among the few large mammalian grazers remaining that are native to California, providing both ecological and recreational value to the public. They occupy diverse habitats in California, including deserts, valleys, foothills, and mountain peaks. They exhibit large mule-like ears, with subspecies named in part for their differing tail morphology and coloration. The genetic basis of subspecific phenotypes is unclear. Few genomic resources exist to assess such evolutionary questions or to inform management.
why species was selected
Of particular interest is the genomic basis for resistance to chronic wasting disease (CWD), a prion disease that is fatal to cervids and expanding its range. The data generated by the CCGP could facilitate a spatially explicit CWD risk assessment for California mule deer populations and provide a better understanding of evolutionary history of mule and black-tailed deer.
