Common names of species, the curious case of Capra pyrenaica and the concomitant steps towards the ‘wild-to-domestic’ transformation of a flagship species and its vernacular names

Sarasa, Mathieu; Alasaad, Samer; Pérez, Jesús M.

doi:10.1007/s10531-011-0172-3

Cited by 24 publications

(15 citation statements)

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“…The Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica [ 6 ] is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. Four subspecies of this ungulate have been recognized based on coat colour and horn morphology [ 7 – 10 ], two of which, C .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Analyses Reveal Unexpected Genetic Structure in Iberian Ibex Populations

et al. 2017

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BackgroundGenetic differentiation in historically connected populations could be the result of genetic drift or adaptation, two processes that imply a need for differing strategies in population management. The aim of our study was to use neutral genetic markers to characterize C. pyrenaica populations genetically and examine results in terms of (i) demographic history, (ii) subspecific classification and (iii) the implications for the management of Iberian ibex.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe used 30 neutral microsatellite markers from 333 Iberian ibex to explore genetic diversity in the three main Iberian ibex populations in Spain corresponding to the two persisting subspecies (victoria and hispanica). Our molecular analyses detected recent genetic bottlenecks in all the studied populations, a finding that coincides with the documented demographic decline in C. pyrenaica in recent decades. Genetic divergence between the two C. pyrenaica subspecies (hispanica and victoriae) was substantial (FST between 0.39 and 0.47). Unexpectedly, we found similarly high genetic differentiation between two populations (Sierra Nevada and Maestrazgo) belonging to the subspecies hispanica. The genetic pattern identified in our study could be the result of strong genetic drift due to the severe genetic bottlenecks in the studied populations, caused in turn by the progressive destruction of natural habitat, disease epidemics and/or uncontrolled hunting.ConclusionsPrevious Capra pyrenaica conservation decision-making was based on the clear distinction between the two subspecies (victoriae and hispanica); yet our paper raises questions about the usefulness for conservation plans of the distinction between these subspecies.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Analyses Reveal Unexpected Genetic Structure in Iberian Ibex Populations

et al. 2017

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“…Thus, although measurements might correlate well with true horn growth, this does not necessarily mean that they are good proxies for inferring biological processes linked to horns. Mismatches between volumes estimated from conical-derived formulas and true horn volume in Dall sheep O. dalli [also called thinhorn sheep (Sarasa et al, 2012)] have been mentioned previously by other authors (Heimer & Smith, 1975). Nevertheless, these mismatches might have been underconsidered in recent studies using this type of measurement (Loehr et al, 2007(Loehr et al, , 2010.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…Here, we used the horns of Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica (Sarasa, Alasaad & Pérez, ) to compare horn growth measurements and to test the following predictions. If typical measurements (estimated length and volume) are a true representation of horn growth, very good and comparable correlations are to be expected between common measurements and the true volume and weight of annular segments (prediction 1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mismeasure of secondary sexual traits: an example with horn growth in the Iberian ibex

et al. 2012

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Monitoring programmes and studies focused on secondary sexual characters (SSCs) depend on the accuracy of measurements. However, methods of measurements of SSC, such as horns of ungulates, vary throughout the literature. Thus, the accuracy of horn growth measurements as proxies of true horn growth and the comparability of results inferred from different horn growth measurements may be questionable. We used the horns of Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica to compare horn growth measurements and to analyse reliability with true horn growth. Our results reveal that measurements used in previous studies differed substantially from true horn growth and volume estimated as a barrel appeared as the best proxy of annular segments of horns in the Iberian ibex. Horn growth measurements are not necessarily mutually comparable, just as classical measurements are not necessarily representative of true horn growth. We discuss the wider implications of these results and suggest that biological processes linked to horns of ungulates should be reappraised using improved and accurate measurements because horn growth pattern is a key factor in sustainable management and conservation plans of ungulate species around the world.

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“…In western Europe, Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica and domestic goats have long coexisted in the mountainous regions of Spain, yet firm evidence of hybridisation in the wild is lacking (Sarasa et al. , Herrero et al. ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hybridisation in European ungulates: an overview of the current status, causes, and consequences

et al. 2018

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Hybridisation and gene introgression are important sources of diversification, the relevance of which in the evolutionary processes is well recognised. Their fitness consequences in animal populations, however, are not sufficiently well understood, despite hybridisation rates becoming increasingly important worldwide following human‐related activities such as domestication, game management and habitat alteration. In Europe, the density and distribution of native ungulates have largely been influenced by humans since pre‐historic times. This, alongside the introduction of non‐native and domesticated species, may bear major consequences at the genetic and population levels. We provide an updated overview of recent hybridisation events in wild European ungulates; we describe their ecological drivers, extent, current distribution, potential consequences and proposed management strategies. We reviewed the scientific literature published between 2000 and 2018 and found that confirmed hybridisation was described in 75 of the 89 references we included, involving nearly all the species that we investigated. Most researchers relied on genetic information for hybrid identification, which often involved a domestic counterpart. However, introductions and translocations also led to crossbreeding between wild ungulate (sub)species. Only 43 papers provided management recommendations, mostly focused on preventing hybridisation and removing hybrids. Hybridisation proved to be relatively common in several ungulate taxa in Europe. Despite reported changes in phenotype and fitness‐related traits in some species, the consequences of hybridisation for adaptation, life history, and evolutionary potential remain largely unknown. The current conservation paradigm aims to prevent the spread of domestic or non‐native genes in native populations; accordingly, conservation plans should: 1) determine the genetic origin of possible source populations; 2) protect native populations from the risk of crossbreeding with non‐native ones, and 3) establish permanent monitoring.

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Common names of species, the curious case of Capra pyrenaica and the concomitant steps towards the ‘wild-to-domestic’ transformation of a flagship species and its vernacular names

Cited by 24 publications

References 57 publications

Molecular Analyses Reveal Unexpected Genetic Structure in Iberian Ibex Populations

Molecular Analyses Reveal Unexpected Genetic Structure in Iberian Ibex Populations

Mismeasure of secondary sexual traits: an example with horn growth in the Iberian ibex

Hybridisation in European ungulates: an overview of the current status, causes, and consequences

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