Falcon genomics in the context of conservation, speciation, and human culture

Abstract

Here, we review the diversity, evolutionary history, and genomics of falcons in the context of their conservation and interactions with humans, and provide a perspective on how new genomic approaches may be applied to expand our knowledge of these topics. For millennia, humans and falcons (genus Falco) have developed unique relationships through falconry, religious rituals, conservation efforts, and human lifestyle transitions. From an evolutionary perspective, falcons remain an enigma. Having experienced several recent radiations, they have reached an unparalleled and almost global distribution, with an intrageneric species richness that is roughly an order of magnitude higher than typical within their family (Falconidae) and across other birds (Phylum: Aves). This diversity has evolved in the context of unusual genomic architecture that includes unique chromosomal rearrangements, relatively low chromosome counts, extremely low microdeletion rates, and high levels of nuclear mitochondrial DNA segments (NUMTs). These genomic peculiarities combine with high levels of ecological and organismal diversity and a legacy of human interactions to make falcons obvious candidates for evolutionary studies, providing unique research opportunities in common topics, including chromosomal evolution, the mechanics of speciation, local adaptation, domestication, and urban adaptation.

Recurrent chromosome reshuffling and the evolution of neo-sex chromosomes in parrots

“…2). In particular, we identified eight events in which a microchromosome has fused to a macrochromosome, but no inter-microchromosome fusion events have been detected, in agreement with the suggestion by studies in falcons that reduction of chromosome number is mainly due to fusions of microchromosomes to macrochromosomes 71 . In addition, chromosomal fissions likely led to two and three new microchromosomes in monk parakeet and blue-fronted amazon, respectively (Fig.…”

Recurrent chromosome reshuffling and the evolution of neo-sex chromosomes in parrots

“…2 ). In particular, we identified eight events in which a microchromosome has fused with a macrochromosome, but have not identified any inter-microchromosome fusion events, in agreement with the suggestion by studies in falcons that reduction of chromosome number is mainly due to fusions of microchromosomes with macrochromosomes (Wilcox, Boissinot, and Idaghdour 2019). In addition, chromosomal fissions likely led to two and three new microchromosomes in monk parakeet and blue-fronted amazon, respectively ( Fig.…”

Assessment of the Genetic Potential of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinus) Population Used in the Reintroduction Program in Poland

“…Genetic monitoring of populations can lead to improved population management (see [ 39 ]). Some data suggest that decades of breeding in captivity has had an impact on the falcon genome due to the creation of selection regimes, even though this was probably not a deliberate act [ 40 ]. Selective breeding to obtain certain traits (such as size or pursuit patterns) desired by falconers is likely to have had an impact on the falcon genome; moreover, captive falcons have sometimes been hybridized [ 41 ].…”