Genetic consequences of intensive management in game birds

Mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers evidence a different pattern of hybridization in red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) populations from NW Italy

“…Chukar introgression (A. rufa x A. chukar hybridization) was detected in 45 % of wild populations in the Iberian Peninsula (Blanco-Aguiar et al 2008), and in 17.2 % in Majorca Island (Tejedor et al 2007). Introgression of A. chukar nuclear or mitochondrial DNA have been also described in 30 % of A. rufa populations investigated in southern France (Vallance et al 2006), in 28 % of natural red-legged x rock partridge hybrids in the French Alpes-Maritimes (Barilani et al 2007a), and in Corsican A. rufa populations with frequencies up to 67 % (Barbanera et al 2010). Despite their endangered status, the genetic make-up of residual red-legged partridge populations in Italy remains partially unknown.…”

“…The hybrids between black grouse Tetrao tetrix and capercaillie Tetrao urogallus are the most common patterns of grouse hybridization (Porkert et al 1997). A growing body of evidence suggests that the introduction of exotic species and the translocation of captive-reared animals or artificial hybrids have a negative impact on the integrity of local populations, leading to disruption of coadapted gene complexes and loss of local adaptations (Allendorf et al 2001;Randi 2005Randi , 2008Williams et al 2005;Barilani et al 2007b;Barbanera et al 2010;De Haan et al 2010). These detrimental effects may result in reduced fitness and demographic decline (outbreeding depression; Templeton 1986), concurring to the disappearance of wild populations.…”

Short communication. Effects of the time to change from incubation to hatching temperature on the artificial incubation of red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) eggs

“…Although it is known that releases of red-legged partridges raised under farming conditions do not contribute to an effective conservation of their wild populations and it may even be a threat to it (Negro et al, 2001;Pérez et al, 2004;Barbanera et al, 2010), A. rufa is raised in these countries for hunting purpose in order to ensure hunting bags and provide birds for re-establishment purposes (Sokos et al, 2008;Díaz-Fernández et al, 2012). In fact, its captive breeding has been successfully developed from the mid-1960's onwards, leading to a well-developed sub-sector .…”

Are farm-reared red-legged partridge releases increasing hunting pressure on wild breeding partridges in central Spain?

“…Releases of farm-reared partridges can bring the introduction of new diseases and parasites (Villanúa et al 2008;Millán 2009;Díaz-Sánchez et al 2012) or genetic introgression due the release of hybrids between red-legged and chukar partridges (Blanco-aguiar et al 2008;Barbanera et al 2010;Casas et al 2012). Our study also indicates that it can also lead to overhunting of wild stocks, which can further contribute to the decline of partridge populations, especially in low-density populations (Blanco-Aguiar 2007).…”

“…Recent decreases in some game species populations have promoted the application of management practices such as the release of farm-reared animals, which often are theoretically aimed to reinforce populations (Champagnon et al 2012). However, the use of this management technique frequently affects only short-term harvest numbers (Sokos et al 2008;Díaz-Fernández et al 2012), and it has been indicated that the release of farm-reared animals has detrimental effects on wild populations through the spread of diseases or genetic pollution (Millán 2009;Barbanera et al 2010;Champagnon et al 2012). …”