Comparison of conservative DNA extraction methods for two Galliformes: grey partridge (Perdix perdix italica, Hartert 1917) and red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa, Linnaeus 1758)

Combining Historical and Molecular Data to Study Nearly Extinct Native Italian Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) at the Turn of the Twentieth Century

The grey partridge (Perdix perdix Linnaeus, 1758), is a polytypic species with seven recognized subspecies, including P. p. italica (Hartert, 1917), which is endemic to Italy. Until World War II, the species was widespread across Europe but severely declined due to anthropogenic causes, jeopardizing the Italian subspecies gene pool. Genetic characterization and haplotype identification were performed by analyzing the 5'-end of the mitochondrial control region (CR). A total of 15 haplotypes were detected, seven of which were present in the population before 1915. Among them, three haplotypes were never detected again in the individuals collected after 1915. Interestingly, eight of the 15 haplotypes detected in Italian museum samples belonged exclusively to individuals collected after 1915. The obtained data highlight a high presence of specimens originating from other European populations and, despite all the conservation efforts, suggest an uncertain situation of the subspecies in Italy. This research was strongly backed up by extensive bibliographic research on historical documents, allowing the identification of hundreds of restocking events all over Italy. This is an integral part of this research and has laid the foundations for identifying and circumscribing historical periods in which introductions from the rest of Europe had different pressures, aiming to define a baseline.

An Updated List of Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca) Haplotypes from the Apennines—Central Italy

We report an updated and expanded list of Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca) haplotypes found in wild animals throughout the Apennines of central Italy. Samples were collected and identified during a monitoring program of autochthonous Galliformes and from a private collection. The haplotypes were identified on a longer fragment of the mitochondrial control region (D-loop) based on previously reported haplotypes. This novel evidence, based on a wider sampling area and a higher number of analyzed specimens, will be of relevance in both conservation projects and gamebird breeding for restock, as imposed by the Italian Action Plan. Studying longer fragments can also be useful for phylogeographic analysis.

New Evidences of Mitochondrial DNA Heteroplasmy by Putative Paternal Leakage between the Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca) and the Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar)

The rock partridge, Alectoris graeca, is a polytypic species declining in Italy mostly due to anthropogenic causes, including the massive releases of the closely related allochthonous chukar partridge Alectoris chukar which produced the formation of hybrids. Molecular approaches are fundamental for the identification of evolutionary units in the perspective of conservation and management, and to correctly select individuals to be used in restocking campaigns. We analyzed a Cytochrome oxidase I (COI) fragment of contemporary and historical A. graeca and A. chukar samples, using duplicated analyses to confirm results and nuclear DNA microsatellites to exclude possible sample cross-contamination. In two contemporary specimens of A. graeca, collected from an anthropogenic hybrid zone, we found evidence of the presence of mtDNA heteroplasmy possibly associated to paternal leakage and suggesting hybridization with captive-bred exotic A. chukar. These results underline significant limitations in the reliability of mtDNA barcoding-based species identification and could have relevant evolutionary and ecological implications that should be accounted for when interpreting data aimed to support conservation actions.