Low mitochondrial DNA diversity in the endangered Bonelli’s Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus) from SW Europe (Iberia) and NW Africa

Abstract

This study is an initial survey of the genetic diversity and population structure of the endangered Bonelli's Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus) in SW Europe (Iberia) and NW Africa, two locations where the species has undergone a severe decrease in numbers during the last decades. It is also the first study in which the mitochondrial control region (CR) has been used to study the genetic diversity and population structure of this species. Samples were obtained from 72 individuals from Spain, Portugal and Morocco, and a 253-bp fragment of the mitochondrial control region was amplified and sequenced. Only three polymorphisms were present, indicating low nucleotide and haplotype diversity. No evidence of genetic structure was found. Several hypotheses may explain these results, including a possible greater genetic diversity in other regions of the mitochondrial genome or the existence of a presumed ancient bottleneck (last glaciation), possibly followed by a human-induced more recent one (twentieth century).

Mitochondrial DNA diversity of the vulnerable Chinese Egret (Egretta eulophotes) from China

“…The archipelago populations of the vulnerable Chinese Egret do not exhibit a low degree of genetic diversity based on the comparison of their mitochondrial control region sequences. This is reflected both by the 30 polymorphisms found, as well as by the value of 14 for the transition/transversion ratio (28 transitions and two transversions) that falls within the range of 15-20 for all animal mitochondrial genomes (Graur and Li 2000;Cadahia et al 2007). …”

Markov models of territory occupancy: implications for the management and conservation of competing species

“…This also agrees with the Wndings of Soutullo et al (2008) based on demographic models. Given Bonelli's eagles large dispersal distances (Cadahía et al 2005(Cadahía et al , 2006, decreasing the mortality of dispersing individuals requires a large-scale regional management framework.…”

Population size, breeding performance and territory quality of Bonelli's EagleHieraaetus fasciatusin eastern Spain

“…The first papers focused on local breeding performance (Leshem 1976, Cheylan 1981, Alamany et al 1984, Del Junco 1984, population trends (GilSánchez et al 1994(GilSánchez et al , 2004, and competition with other raptors (mainly Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos and Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus) (Jordano 1981, Carrete et al 2002, 2005. More recent studies have focused on conservation (Real & Mañosa 1997, Carrete et al 2002, Ontiveros et al 2004, habitat selection (Ontiveros 1999, Balbontin 2005, López-López et al 2006, juvenile dispersal , Angulo 2002, Cadahía et al 2005, genetics (Cadahía et al 2007) and ecological factors regulating breeding performance (Ontiveros & Pleguezuelos 2000, Balbontin & Ferrer 2005, Carrete et al 2005, 2006.…”