Conservation genetics of the capercaillie in Poland - Delineation of conservation units

Abstract

The capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is one of Poland's most endangered bird species, with an estimated population of 380–500 individuals in four isolated areas. To study these natural populations in Poland further, more than 900 non-invasive genetic samples were collected, along with samples from 59 birds representing large, continuous populations in Sweden and Russia; and from two centres in Poland breeding capercaillie. Microsatellite polymorphism at nine loci was then analysed to estimate within-population genetic diversity and genetic differentiation among populations. The results confirmed that isolation of populations and recent decreases in their sizes have reduced genetic diversity among capercaillie in Poland, with all the country’s natural populations found to be experiencing the genetic after-effects of demographic bottlenecks. The results of analyses of genetic differentiation and structure further suggest the presence of a 'lowland' cluster (encompassing birds of the Augustowska and Solska Primaeval Forests in Poland, and of Sweden and Russia), and a Carpathian cluster. Capercaillie from Sweden and Russia are also found to differ markedly. The Polish lowland populations seem more closely related to birds from Scandinavia. Our genetic analysis also indicates that the stocks at breeding centres are of a high genetic diversity effectively reflecting the origins of founder individuals, though identification of ancestry requires further study in the case of some birds.Overall, the results sustain the conclusion that the Polish populations of capercaillie from the Carpathians and the lowlands should be treated as independent Management Units (MUs). This is to say that the breeding lines associated with these two sources should be maintained separately at breeding centres. The high level of genetic differentiation of birds from the Solska Primaeval Forest suggests that this population should also be assigned the status of independent MU.

Supporting dataset and methods for egg sizes, eggshell thicknesses and metal concentrations measured in the shells and contents of eggs of Capercaillies Tetrao urogallus

“…Although the species is not considered to be globally threatened, many local populations in central and western Europe (like those in Poland) have become extinct (reviewed in Ref. [4] ), while remaining small, isolated populations are threatened [5] . Capercaillies still occur in considerable numbers only in the boreal forests of Fennoscandia and Russia, although population declines have also been observed in these regions [3] , [4] , [6] .…”

“… [4] ), while remaining small, isolated populations are threatened [5] . Capercaillies still occur in considerable numbers only in the boreal forests of Fennoscandia and Russia, although population declines have also been observed in these regions [3] , [4] , [6] . For restocking or re-establishing local populations of Capercaillies, the release of birds reared in captivity or caught in the wild has become a common conservation tool in many European countries, including Poland [7] , [8] .…”

The Capercaillie (Tetrao Urogallus) Body Weight: Spatial Variability in the West of the Range

“…Такое расхождение, вероятно, определяется смешанным населением карпатской переходной зоны. Ограниченный обмен особями между Восточными (от Украины) и Западными Карпатами, до Моравии и Бескидов включительно, а также примыкающими к ним с севера окраинами равнин существовал в недавнем прошлом и, по-видимому, сохраняется до наших дней Rutkowski et al, 2017]. И такой обмен наверняка был мощнее в начале и середине 20 века, когда получены оценки веса из этого региона.…”

Molecular analysis of cox-1 and 18S rRNA gene fragments of Eimeria species isolated from endangered grouse: capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) and black grouse (Tetrao tetrix)

“…The small genetic pool on the one hand leads to the inbred depression but can also predispose to parasitic invasions, which have been reported in the capercaillie (Isomursu et al 2012 ). The response to this situation assumes implementation of numerous programs for active protection of the capercaillie and black grouse across Europe (Rutkowski et al 2017 ; Siano and Klaus 2013 ; Strzała et al 2015 ) to halt further loss of their number, enlarge their populations, and assure their long-term protection in Europe. These programs include releasing into the forest individuals from domestic breeding centers and birds translocated from the wild population from various geographical regions.…”