Genetic Variability of Polish Population of the Capercaillie<i>Tetrao urogallus</i>

Rutkowski, Robert; Dziedzic, Robert

doi:10.3161/068.040.0108

Cited by 20 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…This suggests that the Polish population of hazel hens has retained a substantial level of genetic variability, despite a population decrease in the 20 th century. In contrast, the Polish population of capercaillie, which is extremely endangered and still decreasing in numbers, has much lower microsatellite indicators of genetic variability than the hazel hen, especially in terms of heterozygosity [67].…”

Section: Estimation Of Genetic Variability and Genetic Differentiatiomentioning

confidence: 89%

Population genetics of the hazel hen Bonasa bonasia in Poland assessed with non-invasive samples

Rutkowski

Keller²,

Jagołkowska

2012

Open Life Sciences

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AbstractDespite a severe decrease in the number of hazel hens during the 20th century, nowadays this grouse species is rather common in the forests of Northeastern and Southern Poland. We used mitochondrial control region and microsatellite markers to examine the genetic variability of Polish populations of hazel hens. We used non-invasively collected faeces to estimate genetic variability within populations, genetic differentiation among populations as well as genetic differentiation between two regions inhabited by two different subspecies of hazel hens. Our results confirm the usefulness of DNA from faeces to obtain reliable information on the population genetics of hazel hens. We found a rather high level of genetic variability in the Polish population. Genetic variability was higher in birds from continuous forests in the South of the country than in birds from fragmented habitats in the Northeast. Genetic differentiation was higher among subpopulations from Northeastern Poland. Additionally, both classes of molecular markers suggested the presence of two distinct genetic groups of birds, corresponding to previously described subspecies. We conclude that the genetic variability of the Polish hazel hen population has been influenced by habitat fragmentation and the history of the population during its post-glacial colonization of Poland from different glacial refugia.

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Section: Estimation Of Genetic Variability and Genetic Differentiatiomentioning

confidence: 89%

Population genetics of the hazel hen Bonasa bonasia in Poland assessed with non-invasive samples

Rutkowski

Keller²,

Jagołkowska

2012

Open Life Sciences

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“…Although other survey methods, such as telemetry, produce reliable data on spatial activities, genetic structure, or stress load of birds (e.g., Alda et al 2011;Rutkowski et al 2005;Segelbacher et al 2008), invasive methods are often based on professional ornithologists, are often expensive, require longer time frames (Segelbacher et al 2008), and yield relatively small sample sizes (e.g., Thiel et al 2008a, b). We believe that our approach allows for an efficient and rapid assessment of populations even across larger spatial scales.…”

Section: Conservation Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Noninvasive genetic sampling allows estimation of capercaillie numbers and population structure in the Bohemian Forest

et al. 2014

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Wildlife conservation and management of endangered species requires reliable information on the size and structure of populations. One of the flagship species in European wildlife conservation is the forest-dwelling capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), where several populations are endangered. In the Bohemian Forest, e.g., the population severely declined 30 years ago with only 100 birds remaining in 1985. Subsequently, breeding and release programs were conducted to supplement the local population. The current distribution and population size, however, remained unknown. With recent habitat changes and increasing recreational activities, a reliable population estimate to inform conservation plans was needed. A team of scientists and volunteers collected fresh capercaillie droppings covering an area of about 120,000 ha. We genotyped ten microsatellite loci to estimate the current population size and to determine the population's spatial and genetic structure.Population size and density estimators revealed a population size of approximately 500 individuals, which is thus one of the two largest relict populations in the low mountain ranges of temperate Europe. The population clustering revealed gene flow across the entire study area. Several genotypes were documented with multiple recaptures at spatial distances between 10 and 30 km additionally corroborating gene flow across the entire landscape of the study area. Males were more closely related than females on small spatial scales up to 3 km, indicating lower dispersal rates in males. We conclude that the population currently appears to have a viable size and shows unrestricted gene flow across state borders and management units of the entire Bohemian Forest. However, long-term viability of this population requires a transboundary strategy to sustainably protect and monitor this isolated capercaillie population in Central Europe.

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“…However, preliminary data [25] confirm reduced genetic diversity in birds from isolated strongholds in Poland, while indicating a high level of genetic differentiation among the populations. Since that work was carried out, the natural population of the Lower Silesian Forest has been extirpated, while that in the Augustowska Primaeval Forest, considered the largest in 2005, has declined rapidly [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation genetics of the capercaillie in Poland - Delineation of conservation units

Rutkowski

Zawadzka²,

Suchecka

et al. 2017

PLoS ONE

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The capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is one of Poland's most endangered bird species, with an estimated population of 380–500 individuals in four isolated areas. To study these natural populations in Poland further, more than 900 non-invasive genetic samples were collected, along with samples from 59 birds representing large, continuous populations in Sweden and Russia; and from two centres in Poland breeding capercaillie. Microsatellite polymorphism at nine loci was then analysed to estimate within-population genetic diversity and genetic differentiation among populations. The results confirmed that isolation of populations and recent decreases in their sizes have reduced genetic diversity among capercaillie in Poland, with all the country’s natural populations found to be experiencing the genetic after-effects of demographic bottlenecks. The results of analyses of genetic differentiation and structure further suggest the presence of a 'lowland' cluster (encompassing birds of the Augustowska and Solska Primaeval Forests in Poland, and of Sweden and Russia), and a Carpathian cluster. Capercaillie from Sweden and Russia are also found to differ markedly. The Polish lowland populations seem more closely related to birds from Scandinavia. Our genetic analysis also indicates that the stocks at breeding centres are of a high genetic diversity effectively reflecting the origins of founder individuals, though identification of ancestry requires further study in the case of some birds.Overall, the results sustain the conclusion that the Polish populations of capercaillie from the Carpathians and the lowlands should be treated as independent Management Units (MUs). This is to say that the breeding lines associated with these two sources should be maintained separately at breeding centres. The high level of genetic differentiation of birds from the Solska Primaeval Forest suggests that this population should also be assigned the status of independent MU.

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Genetic Variability of Polish Population of the CapercaillieTetrao urogallus

Cited by 20 publications

References 20 publications

Population genetics of the hazel hen Bonasa bonasia in Poland assessed with non-invasive samples

Population genetics of the hazel hen Bonasa bonasia in Poland assessed with non-invasive samples

Noninvasive genetic sampling allows estimation of capercaillie numbers and population structure in the Bohemian Forest

Conservation genetics of the capercaillie in Poland - Delineation of conservation units

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