Conservation genetics of the capercaillie in Poland  – estimating the size of the Tatra National Park population by the genotyping of non-invasive samples

Rutkowski, Robert; Dulisz, Beata; SZCZEPAŃSKI, Sebastian; Nowakowski, Jacek J.; Zwijacz‐Kozica, Tomasz; Krzan, Piotr

doi:10.3161/00159301ff2017.60.2.119

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The Brookfiled (1996) method did not indicate the significant frequency (>2%) of null alleles at the examined loci, which is consistent with previous publications based on this panel of microsatellite markers (e.g. Rutkowski et al 2017a;Szczepański et al 2019).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 88%

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Genetic diversity of the Carpathian capercaillie in space and time

Santorek,

Armatys,

Pregler

et al. 2024

Folia Forestalia Polonica

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Knowledge about changes occurring in the genetic structure of populations is extremely important in the case of endangered species. Research studies conducted in space and time allow us to identify factors that are influencing gene flow. Especially in the case of species occurring in the form of dispersed, more or less isolated populations, this is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies. The Carpathians are one of the most important capercaillies stronghold in Central Europe. The population here is fragmented, and at least, some groups of birds are small and isolated. This study aimed to determine whether the genetic structure of the capercaillie in the Polish part of the Carpathians has changed over the last decade. The research was conducted in three Polish national parks: Babia Góra National Park (BAB), Gorce (GOR) and Tatra (TAT). A total of over 1,300 non-invasive samples were collected for genetic analyses in two periods: 2010–2013 and 2021–2022. Individuals were identified using microsatellite markers. It was found that during the research period, there were approximately 200 capercaillie individuals in the Parks. The level of genetic variability in individual strongholds has not changed significantly. However, traces of a new gene pool were found in BAB, which could have appeared from other areas of the Carpathians where the species is being reintroduced. GOR shows features of a sink population: low genetic variability, low number of individuals and gradual decline in emigration. During the period covered by the study, the genetic structure has changed little: the studied strongholds are partially genetically isolated, but gene flow between BAB and GOR appears to be increasingly limited. TAT is a hybrid and transition zone for gene flow between smaller strongholds. The results emphasize the importance of areas with stable, numerous populations for the survival of smaller, peripheral groups of the capercaillie in mountain areas.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 88%

“…The most stable in terms of numbers -and even showing an increasing trend -seems to be the Tatra subpopulation. In the years 2010-2013, 28 individuals were found there (Rutkowski et al 2017b and this study); in 2016, 34 individuals (Rutkowski et al 2017a); and in the current study (2021)(2022), nearly 40 unique genotypes.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

Genetic diversity of the Carpathian capercaillie in space and time

Santorek,

Armatys,

Pregler

et al. 2024

Folia Forestalia Polonica

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“…Regarding the samples for conducting genetic studies of capercaillie populations, non invasive are preferable from conservation point of view. As examples of successful studies following such guidelines, we can mention Segelbacher et al 2003b, Vázquez et al 2013, MoránLuis et al 2014, Rösner et al 2014, and Rutkowski et al 2017a. This general approach should necessarily be main tained in relation to captive breeding groups used for reintroduction of capercaillie in new habitats, as well as wild populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic structure and diversity of the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) population in Belarus in the context of de-lineation of two subspecies: major and pleskei

Homel¹,

Nikiforov²,

Valnisty³

2022

GEO&BIO

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In the present article, an analysis of the genetic diversity and differentiation of the Belarusian capercaillie sub-populations from the range of two subspecies—Tetrao urogallus major and Tetrao urogallus pleskei—distinguished on the basis of morphological and behavioural (mating vocalization) criteria was carried out. The microsatellites were chosen as genetic markers. A total of 53 specimens were used for genetic analysis (23 specimens from the range of T. u. major and 30 specimens from the range of T. u. pleskei). In this study, we aimed at resolving the following questions: (1) Does the capercaillie subpopulation from the range of T. u. ma-jor in Belarus exhibit genetic isolation from the rest of the population in the country? (2) Should we consider the western subpopulation of the capercaillie in Belarus a management unit? Our data allows concluding that the genetic diversity of the studied capercaillie subpopulations is sufficiently high. The eastern subpopulation of the capercaillie is characterised by slightly higher values of all estimates of genetic diversity. A total of 35 unique alleles were detected in the studied capercaillie population. Of them, 10 alleles (29%) were discovered among the specimens sampled from the western subpopulation of the capercaillie. Genetic analysis for the presence of bottleneck events did not reveal any evidence of those in the demographic history of the studied Belarusian capercaillie subpopulations. Bayesian analysis of genetic structure has indicated the presence of two clusters, corresponding to the eastern and western capercaillie subpopulations in Belarus. The obtained ge-netic structure of the capercaillie population is also supported by the results of the factorial correspondence analysis. The results of genetic structure and diversity analysis indicate that the capercaillie population in Bela-rus possesses a degree of genetic differentiation on subpopulation level and a lack of clear isolation between the studied subpopulations. As recommendations for the conservation of the western subpopulation of the capercaillie in Belarus we propose to conduct genetic monitoring of the newly created population, as well as genetic analysis of the specimens used for breeding.

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“…Mountain forests with a low degree of fragmentation and human disturbance are an important stronghold for the forest grouse in Europe (Storch 2007). The Tatra Mountains represent an important refuge for the capercaillie and black grouse, and observations suggest a higher number of individuals than in other similar areas (Ciach 2016, Rutkowski et al 2017a, Rutkowski et al 2017b. In small and threatened populations, the degradation of the habitat, for example due to fragmentation, may cause significant deviations from an equal sex ratio (Helle et al 1999, Sun et al 2003.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biased sex-ratio in woodland grouse population of the Tatra National Park, suggested by molecular sexing of non-invasive samples

SANTOREK¹,

Zwijacz‐Kozica²,

Dulisz³

et al. 2021

Fragm. Faun.

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Sex ratio (ratio between the number of male and female individuals in a population) is an important factor contributing to the survival rates of the population in wild. Imbalanced sex ratio is often the cause of diminished survival rates of endangered species. The analysis of DNA collected through noninvasive methodologies effectively allows to monitor populations of rare species or species that are difficult to observe in the wild. Such method was used to determine the sex ratio in populations of the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) and black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) in the Tatra National Park. We collected over 250 samples (mostly excrement) in the area of the Tatra National Park and identified species via microsatellite genotyping and determined the sex using fragments of the CHD gene. We found that the majority of the samples belonged to male specimens irrespective of the species suggesting a large deviation from an equal sex ratio in wild populations of capercaillie and black grouse in the Tatra National Park. Our results point out the fundamental contribution of genetic assessment of sex ration to monitor the viability of both species in the Tatra National Park.

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Conservation genetics of the capercaillie in Poland – estimating the size of the Tatra National Park population by the genotyping of non-invasive samples

Cited by 6 publications

References 35 publications

Genetic diversity of the Carpathian capercaillie in space and time

Genetic diversity of the Carpathian capercaillie in space and time

Genetic structure and diversity of the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) population in Belarus in the context of de-lineation of two subspecies: major and pleskei

Biased sex-ratio in woodland grouse population of the Tatra National Park, suggested by molecular sexing of non-invasive samples

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