Microsatellite loci for distinguishing spotted owls (<i>Strix occidentalis</i>), barred owls (<i>Strix varia</i>), and their hybrids

Funk, W. Chris; Mullins, Thomas D.; Forsman, Eric D.; Haig, Susan M.

doi:10.1111/j.1471-8286.2006.01581.x

Cited by 15 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Interspecific hybrids are well known among owls (Order Strigiformes) and different species of Strix including ( S. aluco x S. uralensis ), ( S. huhla x S. nigrolineata ), ( S. hylophila x S. rufipes ), and ( S. nebulosi x Bubo bubo ) (McCarthy, ). In particular, Spotted Owls also hybridize with Barred Owls ( S. varia ; Funk et al., ; Haig, Mullins, Forsman, Trail, & Wennerberg, ; Hamer, Forsman, Fuchs, & Walters, ; Kelly & Forsman, ). Consequently, it is unsurprising to obtain evidence for intraspecific hybridization within Spotted Owl as documented in this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…PCR conditions and annealing temperatures were the same as those described in the original publications. Locus Oe128 is also a diagnostic marker capable of distinguishing between Spotted Owls and Barred Owls ( Strix varia ; Funk, Mullins, Forsman, & Haig, ). Genotypes from all individuals were checked to ensure that no Barred Owls were accidentally included in analyses or that no NSO/Barred Owl hybrids were present.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Genetic differentiation and inferred dynamics of a hybrid zone between Northern Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) and California Spotted Owls (S. o. occidentalis) in northern California

Miller

Mullins

Forsman

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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Genetic differentiation among Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis) subspecies has been established in prior studies. These investigations also provided evidence for introgression and hybridization among taxa but were limited by a lack of samples from geographic regions where subspecies came into close contact. We analyzed new sets of samples from Northern Spotted Owls (NSO: S. o. caurina) and California Spotted Owls (CSO: S. o. occidentalis) in northern California using mitochondrial DNA sequences (mtDNA) and 10 nuclear microsatellite loci to obtain a clearer depiction of genetic differentiation and hybridization in the region. Our analyses revealed that a NSO population close to the northern edge of the CSO range in northern California (the NSO Contact Zone population) is highly differentiated relative to other NSO populations throughout the remainder of their range. Phylogenetic analyses identified a unique lineage of mtDNA in the NSO Contact Zone, and Bayesian clustering analyses of the microsatellite data identified the Contact Zone as a third distinct population that is differentiated from CSO and NSO found in the remainder of the subspecies' range. Hybridization between NSO and CSO was readily detected in the NSO Contact Zone, with over 50% of individuals showing evidence of hybrid ancestry. Hybridization was also identified among 14% of CSO samples, which were dispersed across the subspecies' range in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The asymmetry of hybridization suggested that the hybrid zone may be dynamic and moving. Although evidence of hybridization existed, we identified no F1 generation hybrid individuals. We instead found evidence for F2 or backcrossed individuals among our samples. The absence of F1 hybrids may indicate that (1) our 10 microsatellites were unable to distinguish hybrid types, (2) primary interactions between subspecies are occurring elsewhere on the landscape, or (3) dispersal between the subspecies' ranges is reduced relative to historical levels, potentially as a consequence of recent regional fires.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic differentiation and inferred dynamics of a hybrid zone between Northern Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) and California Spotted Owls (S. o. occidentalis) in northern California

Miller

Mullins

Forsman

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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“…DNA extraction, PCR, and fragment analysis were performed as described previously (Funk et al. 2007a).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2005). One of these loci (Oe128) and an additional microsatellite marker (Bb126; Isaksson and Tegelström 2002) are diagnostic of spotted versus barred owls (Funk et al. 2007a) and were genotyped to assure that no spotted owl‐barred owl hybrids were included in the analysis.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introgression and dispersal among spotted owl (Strix occidentalis) subspecies

Funk

Forsman

Mullins

et al. 2008

Evolutionary Applications

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Population genetics plays an increasingly important role in the conservation and management of declining species, particularly for defining taxonomic units. Subspecies are recognized by several conservation organizations and countries and receive legal protection under the US Endangered Species Act (ESA). Two subspecies of spotted owls, northern (Strix occidentalis caurina) and Mexican (S. o. lucida) spotted owls, are ESA-listed as threatened, but the California (S. o. occidentalis) spotted owl is not listed. Thus, determining the boundaries of these subspecies is critical for effective enforcement of the ESA. We tested the validity of previously recognized spotted owl subspecies by analysing 394 spotted owls at 10 microsatellite loci. We also tested whether northern and California spotted owls hybridize as suggested by previous mitochondrial DNA studies. Our results supported current recognition of three subspecies. We also found bi-directional hybridization and dispersal between northern and California spotted owls centered in southern Oregon and northern California. Surprisingly, we also detected introgression of Mexican spotted owls into the range of northern spotted owls, primarily in the northern part of the subspecies’ range in Washington, indicating long-distance dispersal of Mexican spotted owls. We conclude with a discussion of the conservation implications of our study.

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“…Nonetheless, recent field studies indicate that northern spotted owls have continued to decline at an average rate of 3.7% per year and that declines are most severe in Washington state (Anthony et al 2006). Moreover, \4 pairs remain in the wild in British Columbia (Fenger et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for recent population bottlenecks in northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina)

et al. 2009

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The northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) is one of the most controversial threatened subspecies ever listed under the US Endangered Species Act. Despite protection of its remaining forest habitat, recent field studies show continued declines of northern spotted owls. One potential threat to northern spotted owls which has not yet been shown is loss of genetic variation from population bottlenecks. Bottlenecks can increase the probability of mating among related individuals, potentially causing inbreeding depression, and can decrease adaptive potential. Here we report evidence for recent bottlenecks in northern spotted owls using a large genetic dataset (352 individuals and 10 microsatellite loci). The signature of bottlenecks was strongest in the Washington Cascade Mountains, in agreement with field data. Our results provide independent evidence that northern spotted owls have recently declined, and suggest that loss of genetic variation is an emerging threat to the subspecies' persistence. Reduced effective population size (N e ) shown here in addition to field evidence for demographic decline highlights the increasing vulnerability of this bird to extinction.

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Microsatellite loci for distinguishing spotted owls (Strix occidentalis), barred owls (Strix varia), and their hybrids

Abstract: , "Microsatellite loci for distinguishing spotted owls (Strix occidentalis), barred owls (Strix varia), and their hybrids" (2007). USGS

Cited by 15 publications

References 8 publications

Genetic differentiation and inferred dynamics of a hybrid zone between Northern Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) and California Spotted Owls (S. o. occidentalis) in northern California

Genetic differentiation and inferred dynamics of a hybrid zone between Northern Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) and California Spotted Owls (S. o. occidentalis) in northern California

Introgression and dispersal among spotted owl (Strix occidentalis) subspecies

Evidence for recent population bottlenecks in northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina)

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