Genetic evidence confirms severe extinction risk for critically endangered swift parrots: implications for conservation management

Stojanović, Dejan; Olah, George; Webb, Matthew; Peakall, Rod; Heinsohn, Robert

doi:10.1111/acv.12394

Cited by 19 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Variability estimated using molecular markers not only helps to distinguish genetically distinct populations that may be vulnerable to environmental changes (e.g., Lee and Mitchell-Olds, 2011;Hansen et al, 2012;Limborg et al, 2012;Munday et al, 2013;Razgour et al, 2018) but also infers phylogenetic relationships between individuals both within and between species, reconstructing genealogies and gathering information on inbreeding rates (e.g., Zollinger et al, 2012;McCormack et al, 2013;Lyu et al, 2018). The current use of microsatellite markers in biodiversity conservation studies is particularly useful to address issues related to the conservation genetics of various bird species (e.g., Moura et al, 2017;Houston et al, 2018;Moussy et al, 2018;Stojanovic et al, 2018). Conservation Genetics has been defined as the discipline that applies genetic concepts and tools, including molecular markers, to small populations to reduce their risk of extinction (Frankham et al, 2002;Allendorf et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards inclusion of genetic diversity measures into IUCN assessments: a case study on birds

Vitorino¹,

Souza²,

Jardim³

et al. 2019

Anim. Biodiv. Conserv.

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The IUCN Red List categorizes species based on their geographical distribution and population size. However, attributes such as genetic information are not yet considered. We compiled information on genetic diversity (HE, HO) and inbreeding coefficient (f) along with their ecological attributes (IUCN category, migratory habit, forest dependence and habitat type) from a literature survey to assess whether bird species categorized as being of highest conservation concern display the lowest genetic diversity. We used generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) to test whether avian species with less inclusive characteristics (e.g., taxa with small geographical distributions or low dispersal capability) display lower genetic diversity than those classified as Least Concern (LC). We used hylogenetic generalized least squares (pGLS) to account for phylogenetic independence of predictor variables and to verify robustness of GLMMs (generalized linear mixed models). In general, GLMM revealed more significant relationships among ecological attributes and genetic diversity patterns. After accounting for phylogenetic independence, the highest average heterozygosity values were observed in species falling under the LC category; non–migratory birds showed lower HO and HE average values than migratory birds, while non–forest birds showed lower heterozygosity than forest birds. Hence, we corroborate our hypothesis that genetic diversity of birds is lower in species of high conservation concern. We hope our results promote further studies on genetic diversity of bird populations. Lastly, we propose the incorporation of genetic data as metrics in the assessment of bird conservation status.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards inclusion of genetic diversity measures into IUCN assessments: a case study on birds

Vitorino¹,

Souza²,

Jardim³

et al. 2019

Anim. Biodiv. Conserv.

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“…Settlement of swift parrots in breeding habitat is spatially clustered due to flowering patterns of their food trees, with the location and extent of area occupied by parrots each year varying dramatically (Webb et al 2014(Webb et al , 2017. These nomadic movements lead to high gene flow, and the species is a single, panmictic conservation unit (Stojanovic et al 2018). The relative availability of feeding and nesting habitats varies each year depending on flowering conditions and this has implications for habitat functionality (Webb et al 2017).…”

Section: Breeding Ecology and Threatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…After 13 years of applied research (e.g. Webb 2008;Webb et al 2012Webb et al , 2014Webb et al , 2017Stojanovic et al 2012Stojanovic et al , 2014aStojanovic et al , 2014bStojanovic et al , 2015Stojanovic et al , 2016Stojanovic et al , 2018Heinsohn et al 2015), swift parrots are among the best studied Australian threatened species, with detailed knowledge now available on threatening processes and how to manage them. In addition, information on population trends have been supported with a population monitoring program initiated by the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) and now managed by the authors through the Australian National University.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Policy failure and conservation paralysis for the critically endangered swift parrot

Webb

Stojanović

Heinsohn

2019

Pac. Conserv. Biol.

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The critically endangered swift parrot (Lathamus discolor) is among the best studied Australian threatened species. Despite extensive outreach to the public and policy makers, conservation management has not kept pace with advances in knowledge and scientific evidence. Here we summarise policy and management failings that allow swift parrot breeding habitat in Tasmanian forests to continue to be logged. This practice continues in spite of extensive evidence demonstrating that the cessation of logging of swift parrot breeding habitat in Tasmania is urgently required to secure the species.

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“…These factors will drive demographic success within a patch and the movement of individuals or gene flow between patches (Hanski & Gaggiotti, ). For dynamic metapopulations of habitat‐tracking species, the frequent colonization and extinction of patches and its variation in space and time will result in genetic homogenization across large spatial scales over the long term (Brown, Harrisson, Clarke, Bennett, & Sunnucks, ; Pierson, Allendorf, Saab, Drapeau, & Schwartz, ; Stojanovic, Olah, Webb, Peakall, & Heinsohn, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contrasting patterns of population structure at large and fine geographical scales in a migratory avian disturbance specialist of braided river ecosystems

Schlesselmann

Dussex

Cooper

et al. 2019

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim:To understand the population structure and its potential drivers at different spatial scales in a migratory bird, the black-fronted tern (Chlidonias albostriatus), a specialist of the spatially and temporally dynamic environments of braided rivers.Location: New Zealand. Methods:We used a three-pronged approach based on 17 microsatellites, two mitochondrial loci (cytochrome b/control region) and phenotypic data (head-bill length, bill depth, wing length, weight). We determined large-scale genetic structure throughout the whole breeding range (approx. 150,000 km 2 ), calculated genetic divergence of breeding colonies and tested for isolation-by-distance between colonies.We investigated the level of fine-scale genetic structure based on spatial autocorrelation analyses and assessed the presence of a body size cline based on phenotypic data. Lastly, we compared phenotypic divergence (P ST ) and the level of divergence by genetic drift (F ST ) among breeding colonies to test for underlying mechanisms of population differentiation.Results: Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA showed that across their range black-fronted terns were effectively panmictic, with low genetic divergence between breeding colonies overall and no isolation-by-distance. However, at fine geographical scales black-fronted terns accrued significant genetic structure for distances up to 75 km, primarily driven by males, indicating more frequent female dispersal. Furthermore, a phenotypic cline in accordance with Bergmann's rule was evident. P ST exceeded F ST in three traits, suggestive of local adaptation.Main conclusions: Significant fine-scale structure can be present in highly mobile, specialist species while not affecting spatial structures at larger scales. Hence, methodologies applied to both whole landscapes and local scales are important to appropriately estimate connectivity in dynamic metapopulations and investigate the processes behind connectivity. Conservation management will need to include protecting currently uninhabited patches to facilitate natural colonization of suitable | 17 SCHLESSELMANN Et AL.

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Genetic evidence confirms severe extinction risk for critically endangered swift parrots: implications for conservation management

Abstract: This is the author manuscript accepted for publication and has undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as

Cited by 19 publications

References 61 publications

Towards inclusion of genetic diversity measures into IUCN assessments: a case study on birds

Towards inclusion of genetic diversity measures into IUCN assessments: a case study on birds

Policy failure and conservation paralysis for the critically endangered swift parrot

Contrasting patterns of population structure at large and fine geographical scales in a migratory avian disturbance specialist of braided river ecosystems

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