A Review of the Invasive Eurasian Collared Dove and Possible Research Methods in the Future

Abstract

Summary:The Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto is one of the most successfuly expanding vertebrate species in the world; therefore, it has attracted special scientific focus. This review summarises the species' achievements related to its rapid expansion and the ecological consequences with regard to the population genetic assessments. It also highlights the expansion dynamics of the species and the ecosystems to which it is most adapted. Finally, the effects of this species on the newly colonised ecosystems are illustrated. The study of the genetic structure between populations to make inferences about expansion dynamics has been neglected so far. Thus, we survey the opportunities of using molecular markers for genetic analysis in populations of Eurasian Collared Dove as a possible means for future studies. This work is important given the lack of information on the mentioned fields, and it calls attention to the importance of further interdisciplinary studies from different scientific fields using this species.

Invasive birds: global trends and impacts

“…The very high association of the Eurasian Collared-dove with human activities outside its native range, both for breeding and foraging purposes, and its extended breeding season and related high number of broods, together with its high dispersal ability, make it particularly efficient in colonizing and establishing sustainable populations (Bagi et al, 2017;Ingenloff et al, 2017), especially in the context of land cover conversion into urban and agricultural areas (Romagosa, 2002). This overall dynamic makes the species particularly difficult to extirpate if nothing is done quickly after an intentional introduction.…”

“…The expansion wave of the Eurasian Collared-dove is thought to have resulted from two processes: the dispersal of birds creating head bridges ahead of the invasion front, and a subsequent filling of void areas as local populations grew (Hudson, 1972;Hengeveld, 1993;Bendjoudi et al, 2015;Bagi et al, 2017). Subsequent fillings may last long after the species has successfully settled in a country (e.g.…”

“…The underlying causes of the Eurasian Collared-dove's rapid range expansion in Europe from the Balkans are unclear. Suggestions include mutation of a favourable gene (Mayr, 1951), climate change, and changes in agricultural practices and a subsequent increase in food supplies Bagi et al, 2017). Other hypotheses imply some ecological/biological traits of the species, including changes in nesting behaviour (from nesting in buildings to in trees; Stresemann and Nowak, 1958), its adapt-ability to human urbanized and altered landscapes Bonter et al, 2009;Fujisaki et al, 2010;Bendjoudi et al, 2015) and its potentially high reproductive output (Bagi et al, 2017).…”