Genetic structure of the threatened West-Pannonian population of Great Bustard (Otis tarda)

Abstract

The genetic diversity, population structure and gene flow of the Great Bustards (Otis tarda) living in Austria-Slovakia-West Hungary (West-Pannonian region), one of the few populations of this globally threatened species that survives across the Palaearctic, has been assessed for the first time in this study. Fourteen recently developed microsatellite loci identified one single population in the study area, with high values of genetic diversity and gene flow between two different genetic subunits. One of these subunits (Heideboden) was recognized as a priority for conservation, as it could be crucial to maintain connectivity with the central Hungarian population and thus contribute to keeping contemporary genetic diversity. Current conservation efforts have been successful in saving this threatened population from extinction two decades ago, and should continue to guarantee its future survival.

Human decimation caused bottleneck effect, genetic drift, and inbreeding in the Canarian houbara bustard

“…The genetic variability was relatively high, reaching values similar to those reported for the Moroccan bustard (Lesobre et al 2010) and the MacQueen's bustard (Pitra et al 2004). It was also similar to values in other species of the bustard family (e.g., various bustard populations in Spain and central Europe; Horreo et al 2014, 2016). This is a relevant and positive finding from a conservation point of view because erosion of genetic variability represents a serious threat for the survival of species (Amos and Balmford 2001).…”