Population constraints on the Grenada Dove <i>Leptotila wellsi</i>: preliminary findings and proposals from south-west Grenada

Bolton, Nancy; Oosterhout, Cock van; Collar, Nigel; Bell, Diana

doi:10.1017/s0959270915000064

Cited by 7 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…All other traits exhibited low phylogenetic signal strength, which is not uncommon in traits such as these that often evolve as a response to differing environmental conditions (Kamilar andCooper 2013, Martin et al 2018). Although our model validation has suggested that many of our predicted values are accurate, these results have to be used cautiously, and would benefit from validation from field data (Ando 2019, Bolton et al 2016.…”

Section: Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phylogenetic placement and life history trait imputation for Grenada DoveLeptotila wellsi

Peters

Geary

Nelson

et al. 2022

Bird Conservation International

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Phylogenetic analyses can be used to resolve taxonomic uncertainties and reconstruct a species’ evolutionary history. This can be combined with ecological data to predict missing life history traits which are important for creation of conservation management strategies. We investigated the evolutionary and life history of the ‘Critically Endangered’ Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi by estimating its phylogenetic placement and using this new phylogeny to test the accuracy of phylogenetic comparative methods for estimating both documented and unknown life history traits. We extracted DNA from two Grenada Dove samples and obtained sequences from three mitochondrial markers: Cytochrome oxidase I (COI), NADH dehydrogenase 2 (ND2) and Cytochrome b (Cyt b); and one nuclear marker: β-Fibrinogen intron 7 (β-FIB). We present the first genetic data obtained for the Grenada Dove. Our data identify the Grey-Chested Dove Leptotila cassinii as the species which shares both a most recent common ancestor, with an estimated divergence of approximately 2.53 million years ago, and the smallest genetic distance (P = 0.0303) with the Grenada Dove. Life history trait values for the Grenada Dove predicted from our analyses using phylogenetic imputation are: clutch size = 2 (± 0.09) eggs; clutches per year = 1.4 (± 0.81); incubation time = 14.2 (± 0.75) days; hatching weight = 3.8 g (± 1.05) and single imputation: fledging age (genus median) = 15.5 days, longevity (genus median) = 8.6 years. This study contributes novel information regarding evolutionary history and life history characteristics to inform long-term conservation actions for a ‘Critically Endangered’ species.

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Section: Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phylogenetic placement and life history trait imputation for Grenada DoveLeptotila wellsi

Peters

Geary

Nelson

et al. 2022

Bird Conservation International

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“…Habitat loss and degradation means that this species exists in small fragmented populations (Rosenberg and Korsmo 2001;Rusk 2008;Rivera-Milán et al 2015). It is threatened by predation from a number of mammalian species as well as habitat destruction from natural damaging events such as hurricanes (Bolton et al 2016). Low encounter rates and cryptic behaviour make surveying this species particularly difficult, requiring intensive monitoring that may cause disturbance (Rivera-Milán et al 2015;Bolton et al 2016;Rusk 2017).…”

Section: Study Species and Sample Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is threatened by predation from a number of mammalian species as well as habitat destruction from natural damaging events such as hurricanes (Bolton et al 2016). Low encounter rates and cryptic behaviour make surveying this species particularly difficult, requiring intensive monitoring that may cause disturbance (Rivera-Milán et al 2015;Bolton et al 2016;Rusk 2017). Therefore, non-invasive sampling methods are required to obtain samples for genetic analysis with minimal disruption to this endangered species.…”

Section: Study Species and Sample Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel method to optimise the utility of underused moulted plumulaceous feather samples for genetic analysis in bird conservation

Peters

Nelson

Rusk

et al. 2019

Conservation Genet Resour

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Non-invasive sampling methods are increasingly being used in conservation research as they reduce or eliminate the stress and disturbance resulting from invasive sampling of blood or tissue. Here we present a protocol optimised for obtaining usable genetic material from moulted plumulaceous feather samples. The combination of simple alterations to a 'user-developed' method, comprised of increased incubation time and modification of temperature and volume of DNA elution buffer, are outlined to increase DNA yield and significantly increase DNA concentration (W = 81, p < 0.01, Cohens's d = 0.89). We also demonstrate that the use of a primerless polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique increases DNA quality and amplification success when used prior to PCR reactions targeting avian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). A small amplicon strategy proved effective for mtDNA amplification using PCR, targeting three overlapping 314-359 bp regions of the cytochrome oxidase I barcoding region which, when combined, aligned with target-species reference sequences. We provide evidence that samples collected non-invasively in the field and kept in non-optimal conditions for DNA extraction can be used effectively to sequence a 650 bp region of mtDNA for genetic analysis.

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“…Its historical distribution was once widespread across dry coastal zones in the North‐East, West and South‐West of Grenada, including off‐shore islands (Baptista et al., 2020; Bond, 1973; Clarke, 1905; Lack & Lack, 1973). However, the Grenada Dove has experienced a severe reduction in population size and range with populations now presumed to be limited to sites in the West (Perseverance, Woodford and Beausejour area) and Southwest (Mount [Mt] Hartman Estate and surrounding area) of the Island which are approximately 1.6 km 2 and 2.23 km 2 respectively (Bolton et al., 2015; Rivera‐Milán et al., 2015; Rusk, 2009, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non‐invasive sampling reveals low mitochondrial genetic diversity for an island endemic species: The critically endangered Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi

Peters,

Geary,

Hosie

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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As an island endemic with a decreasing population, the critically endangered Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi is threatened by accelerated loss of genetic diversity resulting from ongoing habitat fragmentation. Small, threatened populations are difficult to sample directly but advances in molecular methods mean that non‐invasive samples can be used. We performed the first assessment of genetic diversity of populations of Grenada Dove by (a) assessing mtDNA genetic diversity in the only two areas of occupancy on Grenada, (b) defining the number of haplotypes present at each site and (c) evaluating evidence of isolation between sites. We used non‐invasively collected samples from two locations: Mt Hartman (n = 18) and Perseverance (n = 12). DNA extraction and PCR were used to amplify 1751 bps of mtDNA from two mitochondrial markers: NADH dehydrogenase 2 (ND2) and Cytochrome b (Cyt b). Haplotype diversity (h) of 0.4, a nucleotide diversity (π) of 0.00023 and two unique haplotypes were identified within the ND2 sequences; a single haplotype was identified within the Cyt b sequences. Of the two haplotypes identified, the most common haplotype (haplotype A = 73.9%) was observed at both sites and the other (haplotype B = 26.1%) was unique to Perseverance. Our results show low mitochondrial genetic diversity and clear evidence for genetically isolated populations. The Grenada Dove needs urgent conservation action, including habitat protection and potentially augmentation of gene flow by translocation in order to increase genetic resilience and diversity with the ultimate aim of securing the long‐term survival of this critically endangered species.

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Population constraints on the Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi: preliminary findings and proposals from south-west Grenada

Cited by 7 publications

References 16 publications

Phylogenetic placement and life history trait imputation for Grenada DoveLeptotila wellsi

Phylogenetic placement and life history trait imputation for Grenada DoveLeptotila wellsi

A novel method to optimise the utility of underused moulted plumulaceous feather samples for genetic analysis in bird conservation

Non‐invasive sampling reveals low mitochondrial genetic diversity for an island endemic species: The critically endangered Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi

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