Genetic Assignment Tests to Identify the Probable Geographic Origin of a Captive Specimen of Military Macaw (Ara militaris) in Mexico: Implications for Conservation

Abstract

The Military Macaw (Ara militaris) faces a number of serious conservation threats. The use of genetic markers and assignment tests may help to identify the geographic origin of captive individuals and improve conservation and management programs. The purpose of this study was to identify the possible geographic origin of a captive individual using genetic markers. We used a reference database of genotypes of 86 individuals previously shown to belong to two different genetic groups to determine the genetic assignment of the captive individual of unknown origin (captive specimen) and five individuals of known geographic origin (as positive controls). We evaluated the accuracy of three assignment/exclusion criteria to determine the success of correct assignment of the individual of unknown origin and the five positive control individuals. WICHLOCI estimated that eight loci were required to achieve an assignment success of 83%. The correct geographic origin of positive controls was identified with 83% confidence. All of the analyses assigned the captive individual to the genetic group from the Sierra Madre Oriental. Bayesian assignment tests, tests for genetic distance and allele frequency tests assigned the unknown individual to the locations from the Sierra Madre Oriental with a probability of 71.2–82.4%. We show that the use of genetic markers provides a promising tool for determining the origin of pets and individuals seized from the illegal animal trade to better inform decisions on reintroduction and improve conservation programs.

Advancing Genetic Methods in the Study of Parrot Biology and Conservation

“…A similar toolkit combining various forensic techniques was developed earlier for the Glossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami [172]. A set of microsatellites were developed in the Cape Parrot with sufficient discriminatory power to distinguish captive versus wild birds via parentage analyses [173], and similar markers proved to be successful in determining the geographic origin of a captive individual of Military Macaw [174]. The control regions of mtDNA of Blue-and-yellow Macaws Ara ararauna confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade in Brazil were sequenced and compared to reference sequences of the species, in order to find their provenance and advise on reintroduction planning [175].…”

Recent Advances in Parrot Research and Conservation

“…A review compiles the different genetic tools available for the study of parrot evolution, biology, and conservation [20]. Examples of the useful application of these molecular approaches are the demonstration of genetic distinctiveness of isolated populations in Brazil [21], the study of population genetics of wild and captive populations in Mexico and Bolivia [22], and the identification of the geographic origin of traded individuals in Mexico [23].…”