1
|
Lu S, Hou X, Tian S, Liu Z, Wang Y, Jin T, Li J, Wang P, Xu J. Dispersal patterns of Reeves's pheasant based on genetic and behavioral evidence. Curr Zool 2024; 70:480-487. [PMID: 39176059 PMCID: PMC11336679 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoad026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Dispersal is an important life history trait that plays a crucial role in avoiding inbreeding. Uncovering the dispersal pattern of a threatened species facilitates conservation efforts. Most species of Galliformes are forest-dwelling terrestrial birds with a weak dispersal ability and high conservation priorities. However, little is known about the dispersal behavior and dispersal pattern of Galliformes species such as Reeves's pheasant Syrmaticus reevesii, a globally vulnerable species endemic to China. Here, we integrated behavioral and genetic analyses to investigate the dispersal pattern of Reeves's pheasant. Our results revealed that both females and males would disperse, although the overall dispersal pattern was more likely to be male-biased. Reeves's pheasant population had a low level of genetic diversity and a mild level of inbreeding. Speculation low genetic diversity was resulted from fragmented habitat, and male-biased dispersal may reduce the opportunity of inbreeding. Our research indicated that sex-biased dispersal patterns may be a behavioral mechanism adopted by wildlife to avoid inbreeding in a fragmented habitat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Lu
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xian Hou
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Shan Tian
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zhengxiao Liu
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yunqi Wang
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ting Jin
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jianqiang Li
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Pengcheng Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jiliang Xu
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Geomagnetic disturbance associated with increased vagrancy in migratory landbirds. Sci Rep 2023; 13:414. [PMID: 36624156 PMCID: PMC9829733 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26586-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Rare birds known as "accidentals" or "vagrants" have long captivated birdwatchers and puzzled biologists, but the drivers of these rare occurrences remain elusive. Errors in orientation or navigation are considered one potential driver: migratory birds use the Earth's magnetic field-sensed using specialized magnetoreceptor structures-to traverse long distances over often unfamiliar terrain. Disruption to these magnetoreceptors or to the magnetic field itself could potentially cause errors leading to vagrancy. Using data from 2 million captures of 152 landbird species in North America over 60 years, we demonstrate a strong association between disruption to the Earth's magnetic field and avian vagrancy during fall migration. Furthermore, we find that increased solar activity-a disruptor of the avian magnetoreceptor-generally counteracts this effect, potentially mitigating misorientation by disabling the ability for birds to use the magnetic field to orient. Our results link a hypothesized cause of misorientation to the phenomenon of avian vagrancy, further demonstrating the importance of magnetoreception among the orientation mechanisms of migratory birds. Geomagnetic disturbance may have important downstream ecological consequences, as vagrants may experience increased mortality rates or facilitate range expansions of avian populations and the organisms they disperse.
Collapse
|