Background Captive populations permit research and conservation of endangered species in which these efforts are hardly implemented in wild populations. Thus, analysing genetic diversity and structure of captive populations offers unique opportunities. One example is the critically endangered Blue-crowned Laughingthrush, Garrulax courtoisi, which has only two known wild populations in Wuyuan, Jiangxi and Simao, Yunnan, China. We carried out the first conservation genetic study, in order to provide useful implications that allow for successful ex situ conservation and management of the Blue-crowned Laughingthrush. Methods Using the novel microsatellite markers developed by whole-genome sequencing, we genotyped two captive populations, from the Ocean Park Hong Kong, which are of unknown origin, and the Nanchang Zoo, which were introduced from the Wuyuan wild population since the year 2010–2011, respectively. The genetic diversity of captive Blue-crowned Laughingthrush populations was estimated based on genetic polymorphisms revealed by a new microsatellite data set and mitochondrial sequences. Then, we characterised the population structure using STRUCTURE, principal coordinates analysis, population assignment test using the microsatellite data, and haplotype analysis of mitochondrial data. Additionally, we quantified genetic relatedness based on the microsatellite data with ML-Relate. Results Our results showed equally low levels of genetic diversity of the two captive Blue-crowned Laughingthrush populations. The population structure analysis, population assignment test using the microsatellite data, and haplotype analysis of the mitochondrial data showed weak population structuring between these two populations. The average pairwise relatedness coefficient was not significant, and their genetic relatedness was quantified. Discussion This study offers a genetic tool and consequently reveals a low level of genetic diversity within populations of a critically endangered bird species. Furthermore, our results indicate that we cannot exclude the probability that the origin of the Hong Kong captive population was the wild population from Wuyuan. These results provide valuable knowledge that can help improve conservation management and planning for both captive and wild Blue-crowned Laughingthrush populations.

Background. Understanding genetic diversity and population structure is critically important for the conservation and management of endangered species. These factors are particularly relevant for species with small populations and/or restricted ranges, such as the critically endangered Blue-crowned Laughingthrush, Garrulax courtoisi, which has only two wild populations left in Wuyuan, Jiangxi and Simao, Yunnan, China.

Background. Understanding genetic diversity and population structure is critically important for the conservation and management of endangered species. These factors are particularly relevant for species with small populations and/or restricted ranges, such as the critically endangered Blue-crowned Laughingthrush, Garrulax courtoisi, which has only two wild populations left in Wuyuan, Jiangxi and Simao, Yunnan, China. Methods. In this study, novel microsatellites markers were developed using whole-genome sequencing of the target species. We genotyped 14 and nine individuals from the Oceanic Park of Hong Kong, which are of unknown origin, and the Nanchang Zoo, which were introduced from the wild Wuyuan population, respectively, using the novel microsatellite markers. The genetic diversity of captive Blue-crowned Laughingthrush populations was estimated based on genetic polymorphisms revealed by a new microsatellite data set and mitochondrial sequences.Then, we characterised the population structure using STRUCTURE, principal coordinates analysis, population assignment test using the microsatellite data, and haplotype analysis of mitochondrial data. Additionally, we quantified genetic relatednessbased on the microsatellite data with ML-Relate. Results. This is the first study to describe this novel set of 12 microsatellite markers for Blue-crowned Laughingthrush. Our results based on the microsatellite dataset and mitochondrial sequences showed equally low levels of genetic diversity of the two captive Blue-crowned Laughingthrush populations. The population structure analysis, population assignment test using the microsatellite data, and haplotype analysis of the mitochondrial data showed some population structuring between these two populations. The average pairwise relatedness coefficient was not significant, and their genetic relatedness was quantified. Discussion. This study provided a genetic tool which allowed the first estimate of captive population genetic diversity and relatedness for a critically endangered bird species. Furthermore, our results indicate that we cannot exclude the possibility that the origin of the Hong Kong captive population was the wild Wuyuan population. These results provide valuable knowledge that can help improve conservation management and planning for both captive and wild Blue-crowned Laughingthrush populations.

Background. Understanding genetic diversity and population structure is critically important for the conservation and management of endangered species. These factors are particularly relevant for species with small populations and/or restricted ranges, such as the critically endangered Blue-crowned Laughingthrush, Garrulax courtoisi, which has only two wild populations left in Wuyuan, Jiangxi and Simao, Yunnan, China.