A genetic characterization of European Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola,Charadriidae, Charadriiformes) overwintering in Italy

Abstract

Overwintering and stop-over areas of long-distance migrants need to be identified and studied to ensure effective year-round protection measures. Here, genetic and biogeochemical markers were used to describe the structure and to infer the origin of Italian overwintering stocks of Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola, Charadridae, Charadriiformes). A 771 base pairs fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene was analyzed in 260 specimens sampled in Italy and in Scotland, Croatia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Greece. In addition, nuclear β-Fibrinogen Intron 7 gene (898 base pairs) was analyzed in a subset of 34 samples. Hydrogen/deuterium isotopic ratio was measured in 29 individuals and compared with a map of isotopic values of European rainfalls. The mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed the presence of two different haplogroups in the analyzed sample, occurring sympatrically in many sampling sites. Conversely, nuclear DNA did not show a similar pattern of differentiation. Analysis of synonymous/non-synonymous substitutions ratio in cytochrome b data set revealed a striking difference between the two disclosed haplogroups, suggesting the existence of two diverging evolutionary lineages. Genetic traces of demographic expansions were revealed for both mitochondrial lineages. Isotopic data did not suggest a clear separation of the two mtDNA haplogroups in the source breeding range but hinted at the presence of a migration pattern from the north-easternmost portion of the breeding range to the southernmost one of the wintering range. Overall, we proved the existence of two different mitochondrial lineages in the Italian overwintering stock, as well as in the other European winter samples, both characterized by a demographic increase in the recent past. Our results can be considered a valid tool to study migratory connectivity in this species, in comparison with the increasing availability of genetic data from the breeding range.

Importance of millipedes (Diplopoda) in the autumn-winter diet of Scolopax rusticola

“…As part of a long-term study of the woodcock in Italy (see Aradis et al 2001Aradis et al , 2008Aradis et al , 2015Trucchi et al 2011), the present authors had the opportunity to obtain a sample of more than 200 illegally shot specimens from Crimea and confiscated as they were being imported to Italy. The seized birds were entrusted to ISPRA for study and incineration.…”

Abiotic factors and autumn migration phenology of Woodcock (Scolopax rusticolaLinnaeus, 1758, Charadriiformes: Scolopacidae) in a Mediterranean area

“…These initial findings may help to form a better design of a future study. Probably, woodcocks spotted in the study area originate from different areas along the migration route (Akriotis & Handrinos 2004;Bauthian et al 2007;Trucchi et al 2011), in contrast to departing woodcocks that leave a certain breeding area. Therefore, the correlation of arrival with abiotic factors is more complicated than departure.…”

Monitoring Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) with Pointing Dogs in Italy to Inform Evidence-Based Management of a Migratory Game Species

“…Monitoring programs aimed at quantifying Woodcock abundance have been developed in the UK [3], Spain [8,9], France [10][11][12], or Portugal [13]. In Italy, studies have largely focused on other aspects of this species biology, namely age and sex ratios [13][14][15][16], winter mortality [17], woodcock winter diet [18], genetics structure of wintering population [19,20], and some aspects of migratory behaviour but more research into this aspect of the species ecology is certainly needed [21].…”