Cryptic diversity and conservation units in the Bahama parrot

Abstract

Wide application of genetic approaches has enhanced the detection of cryptic diversity, even in historically well-studied organisms. In addition to improving our knowledge of biodiversity, detection of cryptic diversity can have important management implications within imperiled groups, such as the Cuban parrot complex (Amazona leucocephala). Bahama parrots (A. l. bahamensis) were once widespread throughout the archipelago, but are now restricted to the two largest islands (Abaco and Inagua). Mitochondrial DNA-based population genetic and phylogenetic analyses revealed the distinctiveness of the Abaco, Inagua and now extirpated Acklins populations, detecting diagnostic character support and reciprocal monophyly indicative of three phylogenetic species. Congruent results were obtained for the Abaco and Inagua populations based on Bayesian clustering analyses of microsatellite genotypic data. Genetic signatures of demographic contraction were identified on Abaco, but not Inagua. These findings were consistent with lower genetics-based estimates of effective population size on Abaco, as well as the disproportionate human impacts reported on the island relative to Inagua. Overall, our results suggest that the taxonomy of the Cuban parrot complex requires revision and that the conservation status of the Abaco phylogenetic species should be immediately elevated to reflect its historical isolation, recent population decline and continued threats to its persistence.

Identifying conservation units after large‐scale land clearing: a spatio‐temporal molecular survey of endangered white‐tailed black cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus spp.)

“…Disregarding potential inaccuracies in field counts and genetic estimates, the number could reflect the biology of WTBCs, which parallels the finding of Russello et al . () for the Bahama parrot ( Amazona leucocephala ). However, our result could also suggest that breeding conditions or recruitment and fledgling survival for WTBCs are presently poor, allowing only a small fraction of the adults to produce and raise offspring.…”

Current threats faced by Neotropical parrot populations

“…The present study evaluates current threats faced by Neotropical parrots following a population-based approach. We adopted this approach as 1) threats may vary considerably among populations of the same species (Rusello et al, 2010;Masello et al, 2011Masello et al, , 2015Wenner et al, 2012), 2) adopting populations as the unit for conservation may help identify and reverse conservation problems while species are still common and ensures that genetic variation is preserved (Lindenmayer and Burgman, 2005), and 3) the population-level conservation approach is less affected by changes in organismic taxonomy. Consequently, we report here novel information on the severity and scope of threats affecting 192 Neotropical parrot populations of 96 species across 21 countries.…”

A Review of Microsatellite Markers and their Application on Genetic Diversity Studies in Parrots

“…This information should be included in conservation strategies of this species. Microsatellite primers that were designed for Amazona guildinguii [22] [29] were also used on genetic analysis in order to detect cryptic diversity in the complex Cuban parrot (Amazona leucocephala) [33]. Besides, A. guildinguii designed microsatellite primers were also applied on Amazona auropalliata, revealing that there is no relationship between the genetic population structure and different dialects, in other words, high rates of gene flow were estimated between different vocal dialects [34].…”