Significant genetic admixture after reintroduction of peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) in Southern Scandinavia

Abstract

The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) population in southern Scandinavia was almost extinct in the 1970's. A successful reintroduction project was launched in 1974, using captive breeding birds of northern and southern Scandinavian, Finnish and Scottish origin. We examined the genetic structure in the pre-bottleneck population using eleven microsatellite markers and compared the data with the previously genotyped captive breeding population and contemporary wild population. Museum specimens between 53 and 130 years old were analyzed. Despite an apparent loss of historical genetic diversity, the contemporary population shows a relatively high level of genetic variation. Considerable gene introgression from captive breeding stock used to repopulate the former range of southern Scandinavian peregrines may have altered the genetic composition of this population. Both the historical and contemporary northern and southern Scandinavian populations are genetically differentiated. The reintroduction project implemented in the region and the use of nonnative genetic stock likely prevented the southern Scandinavian population from extinction and thus helped maintain the level of genetic diversity and prevent inbreeding depression. The population is rapidly increasing in numbers and range and shows no indication of reduced fitness or adaptive capabilities in the wake of the severe bottleneck and the reintroduction.

Turnover and post‐bottleneck genetic structure in a recovering population of Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus

“…, Jacobsen et al . , Johnson et al . ), and have attributed this result most often to Wahlund's effect, i.e.…”

“…, Jacobsen et al . , Johnson et al . ), we assumed that this was a statistical artefact of conducting multiple comparisons and both loci were retained in subsequent analyses.…”

Colonizing the world in spite of reduced MHC variation

“…Although microsatellite estimates cannot be easily compared among species due to the application of different loci and variable sample sizes, we can extract important conclusions at the species level. For instance, Jacobsen et al. (2008) and Brown et al.…”

“…(2007) showed that Scandinavian and North American populations of peregrine falcons, respectively, have not experienced significant loss of genetic variability after recent contaminant‐induced population bottlenecks (see Table S2). It has been argued (Jacobsen et al. , 2008) that the current levels of genetic diversity in recovered Scandinavian and some North American populations are unexpectedly high due to introgression following the introduction of captive‐bred peregrine falcons, some of which were not native subspecies (Enderson et al.…”

Conservation genetics of population bottlenecks: the role of chance, selection, and history

“…In most cases Swindell and Bouzat (2006b) these populations have limited reproductive potential, requiring intensive management, e.g., through captive breeding programs and translocations, to ensure their persistence and long-term viability. Translocation programs in the Florida panther and the Mexican wolf (Hedrick and Fredrickson 2010), Greater prairie-chickens (Bouzat et al 2009), bighorn sheep (Hogg et al 2006), and the Peregrine falcon in southern Scandinavia (Jacobsen et al 2008), emphasize the potential benefits and pitfalls of genetic rescue (see also Tallmon et al 2004;Edmands 2007).…”