Lack of introgression of Japanese quail in a captive population of common quail

Abstract

Farm-reared quails are released to the wild in Europe in vast numbers every year to increase hunting bag quotas. Experimental studies indicate that rather than the native common quail (Coturnix coturnix), the restocking is often done with domestic Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) or with hybrids of domestic Japanese quail and common quail. Such practices are thought to be a severe threat for the native species as it could lead to introgression of domestic Japanese quail alleles into the wild common quail genome and potentially alter the migratory and reproductive behaviour in wild populations. In this study, we assessed the genetic purity of a captive population of common quail that was established from wild-caught founders caught on the Southern Italian coast in Sicily (Italy). We evaluated the proportion of ancestry to common and Japanese quail in this captive population via genetic screening using nuclear microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA analyses. We showed that the captive farm quail in our study had no sign of admixture with domestic Japanese quail and had similar genotype frequencies relative to wild common quail, confirming the success of the breeding programme for the native species. We propose that raising common quails in captivity for restocking purposes rather than domestic Japanese quails or hybrids would be a feasible alternative that could minimise the risk of genetic pollution of wild common quail populations.

Data on the de novo transcriptome assembly for the migratory bird, the Common quail (Coturnix coturnix)

“…Our stock birds originated from wild founders captured during the spring migration/breeding season on the southern Italian coast near Palermo in 2008, 2009, and 2010 (Istituto Sperimentale Zootecnico per la Sicilia, Palermo, Italia). As previously shown [1] , microsatellite and mtDNA screening excluded the presence of admixture with the Japanese quail in our study population. Experimental birds were reared under a 16:8 hrs light:dark cycle since hatching until they were about 7 weeks of age (46–59 days-old).…”

MtDNA D-loop genetic diversity of common quail (Coturnix coturnix) migrating through Ukraine and Spain

“…The results of this study can be used for a further assessment of possible hybridization between Coturnix coturnix coturnix and C. c. japonica in eastern Europe, as was earlier reported in western and southern Europe (Chazara et al, 2010;Sanchez-Donoso et al, 2012, 2014. Rearing common quails in captivity for restocking instead of domestic Japanese quail or hybrids helps to overcome the risk of hybridization between the 2 Coturnix species in western Europe (Smith et al, 2018); however, possible hybridization between Japanese and common quail in eastern Europe has thus far not been investigated.…”

Controlled expression of the migratory phenotype affects oxidative status in birds

“…The stock birds originated from wild founders captured during the spring migration/breeding season (April/May) on the coast of Sicily (southern Italy) near Palermo in 2008, 2009 and 2010. As previously shown (Smith et al, 2018), microsatellite and mtDNA screening excluded the presence of admixture with Japanese quails released for hunting practices within our study population. The eggs were incubated at 37.5°C and approximately 55% humidity while being turned twice hourly (incubator: MG 70/100 F, FIEM srl, Italy).…”