Population Genetic Structure in Hyacinth Macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) and Identification of the Probable Origin of Confiscated Individuals

Abstract

Understanding the intraspecific genetic composition of populations in different geographic locations is important for the conservation of species. If genetic variability is structured, conservation strategies should seek to preserve the diversity of units. Also, origin of individuals can be determined, which is important for guiding actions against animal trafficking. The hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) is located in allopatric regions, vulnerable to extinction and suffering animal trafficking pressure. Therefore, we characterized its population genetic structure based on 10 microsatellites from 98 individuals and 2123bp of mitochondrial sequence (ND5, cytochrome b, and ND2) from 80 individuals. Moderate to high levels of differentiation were observed among 3 geographic regions of Brazil: the north/northeast of the country, the north Pantanal, and the south Pantanal. Differentiation between the 2 regions within the Pantanal was not expected, as they are relatively close and there is no known barrier to macaw movement between these regions. These genetically differentiated groups were estimated to have diverged 16000 to 42000 years ago. The low genetic variability observed seems not to be the result of past bottlenecks, although a star-shaped haplotype network and the mismatch distribution suggest that there was recent demographic expansion in the north and northeast. Environmental changes in the Holocene could have caused this expansion. Given the genetic structure observed, the most probable regions of origin of 24 confiscated individuals were identified. Thus, these data helped to trace illegal traffic routes and identify natural populations that are being illegally harvested.

Genetic patterns and conservation of the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) in Costa Rica

“…Measures of nuclear diversity reported for the species in Brazil [He = 0.741, A = 8.4; (Presti et al 2011)] and northern Central America [He = 0.696, A = 7.11; (Schmidt 2013)], using the same microsatellites as here, are very similar to our reported values, indicating high genetic variation may be an inherent characteristic of the scarlet macaw. This observation is consistent with other studies showing more widespread and generalist species exhibit higher genetic diversity relative to more restricted and specialized macaw species (Caparroz et al 2001;Presti et al 2011Presti et al , 2015.…”

Genetic assignment and monitoring of yellow cardinals

“…The use of molecular analyses in forensic investigations has become a very common practice, and crimes such as poaching and the illegal trade of protected species are increasingly being investigated all around the world through the use of DNA‐based evidence (Iyengar ). Discerning the origin of confiscated individuals can be useful to guide actions against illegal wildlife trade by identifying possible routes used by traffickers and the natural populations that are being harvested (Fernandes and Caparroz , Presti et al ). This study shows that the majority of the seized yellow cardinals came from MU3, in the southern part of the distribution (Fig.…”

Testing of microsatellite multiplexes for individual identification of Cape Parrots (Poicephalus robustus): paternity testing and monitoring trade

“…Molecular forensic methods are widely used to identify suspected illegally obtained wildlife or wildlife products (Comstock, Ostrander & Wasser, 2003; Gupta, Verma & Singh, 2005; Lorenzini, 2005; Dawnay et al, 2009; Lorenzini et al, 2011; Coghlan et al, 2012; White et al, 2012; Mondol et al, 2014; Gonçalves et al, 2015; Presti et al, 2015). One of the most useful molecular forensic tools is genetic fingerprinting using microsatellite markers.…”

“…One of the most useful molecular forensic tools is genetic fingerprinting using microsatellite markers. These markers have been used to identify legally, and illegally, traded birds when a sufficient reference database is available (White et al, 2012; Presti et al, 2015). It is necessary to consider the genetic sub-structuring within a species if the reintroductions of confiscated animals are considered, as the subpopulations could have acquired habitat specific fitness (e.g., pathogen resistance; Boyce et al, 2011).…”

“…It is important, from a conservation viewpoint, to preserve genetically distinct or evolutionary significant populations (Johnson, 2000). The use of microsatellite data to assign confiscated wildlife to their area of origin is a well-known technique used in wildlife forensic and conservation sciences (Manel, Berthier & Luikart, 2002; White et al, 2012; Mondol et al, 2014; Presti et al, 2015). For example, Presti et al (2015) were able to assign 24 confiscated hyacinth macaw chicks to their populations of origin based on Bayesian clustering analysis using 10 microsatellite loci and White et al (2012) were able to identify the kinship and area of origin of a white-tailed black cockatoo using 20 microsatellite loci and kinship analyses.…”