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Alves F, Banks SC, Edworthy M, Stojanovic D, Langmore NE, Heinsohn R. Using conservation genetics to prioritise management options for an endangered songbird. Heredity (Edinb) 2023; 130:289-301. [PMID: 37016134 PMCID: PMC10162965 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-023-00609-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic data can be highly informative for answering questions relevant to practical conservation efforts, but remain one of the most neglected aspects of species recovery plans. Framing genetic questions with reference to practical and tractable conservation objectives can help bypass this limitation of the application of genetics in conservation. Using a single-nucleotide polymorphism dataset from reduced-representation sequencing (DArTSeq), we conducted a genetic assessment of remnant populations of the endangered forty-spotted pardalote (Pardalotus quadragintus), a songbird endemic to Tasmania, Australia. Our objectives were to inform strategies for the conservation of genetic diversity in the species and estimate effective population sizes and patterns of inter-population movement to identify management units relevant to population conservation and habitat restoration. We show population genetic structure and identify two small populations on mainland Tasmania as 'satellites' of larger Bruny Island populations connected by migration. Our data identify management units for conservation objectives relating to genetic diversity and habitat restoration. Although our results do not indicate the immediate need to genetically manage populations, the small effective population sizes we estimated for some populations indicate that they are vulnerable to genetic drift, highlighting the urgent need to implement habitat restoration to increase population size and to conduct genetic monitoring. We discuss how our genetic assessment can be used to inform management interventions for the forty-spotted pardalote and show that by assessing contemporary genetic aspects, valuable information for conservation planning and decision-making can be produced to guide actions that account for genetic diversity and increase chances of recovery in species of conservation concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Alves
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
| | - Sam C Banks
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, College of Engineering, IT and the Environment, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - Max Edworthy
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Dejan Stojanovic
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Naomi E Langmore
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Robert Heinsohn
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Bao W, Kathait A, Li X, Ozaki K, Hanada Y, Thomas A, Carey GJ, Gou J, Davaasuren B, Hasebe M, Holt PI, Pelikan L, Fan Z, Wang S, Xing X. Subspecies Taxonomy and Inter-Population Divergences of the Critically Endangered Yellow-Breasted Bunting: Evidence from Song Variations. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12172292. [PMID: 36078012 PMCID: PMC9454650 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The critically endangered Yellow-breasted Bunting has undergone population collapse globally because of illegal hunting and habitat deterioration. It was listed as critically endangered (CR) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2017 and designated a Class I (highest level) national conservation bird species in China in 2021. Birdsong in the breeding season is the main communicative signal under sexual selection, and song variations have long been considered critical evidence of divergence among subspecies or populations. We compared the songs of 89 males from 18 populations to test subspecies taxonomy. We found that songs of the Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola are subspecies specific and that three subspecies can be clearly discriminated by song divergences. Moreover, an analysis of multiple vocal traits supports the claim that insulana is distinct from aureola and ornata. Finally, at the geographic population level, populations can be clearly classified in accordance with the three subspecies, although the aureola population in Xinjiang, China is differentiated from other populations of the same subspecies. The results of this study demonstrate that all populations and subspecies are unique and should be protected to maintain intraspecies song diversity. In addition, several specific populations, such as insulana populations in Japan and the Xinjiang, China population of aureola, need to be paid special attention to prevent the extinction of unique or local taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshuang Bao
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Atul Kathait
- School of Biosciences, Apeejay Stya University, Gurgaon 122103, India
| | - Xiang Li
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Kiyoaki Ozaki
- Yamashina Institute for Ornithology, Abiko 270-1166, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Jun Gou
- Xinjiang BD Nature Co., Ltd., Urumqi 830000, China
| | - Batmunkh Davaasuren
- Wildlife Science and Conservation Center of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia
| | | | | | - Lukas Pelikan
- Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Zhongyong Fan
- Zhejiang Museum of Natural History, Zhejiang Biodiversity Institute, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Siyu Wang
- Zhejiang Museum of Natural History, Zhejiang Biodiversity Institute, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Xiaoying Xing
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center, Harbin 150040, China
- Correspondence:
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Lewis RN, Williams LJ, Gilman RT. The uses and implications of avian vocalizations for conservation planning. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2021; 35:50-63. [PMID: 31989696 PMCID: PMC7984439 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing recognition that animal behavior can affect wildlife conservation, but there have been few direct studies of animal behavior in conservation programs. However, a great deal of existing behavioral research can be applied in the context of conservation. Research on avian vocalizations provides an excellent example. The conspicuous nature of the vocal behavior of birds makes it a useful tool for monitoring populations and measuring biodiversity, but the importance of vocalizations in conservation goes beyond monitoring. Geographic song variants with population-specific signatures, or dialects, can affect territory formation and mate choice. Dialects are influenced by cultural evolution and natural selection and changes can accumulate even during the timescale of conservation interventions, such as translocations, reintroductions, and ex situ breeding. Information from existing research into avian vocalizations can be used to improve conservation planning and increase the success of interventions. Vocalizations can confer a number of benefits for conservation practitioners through monitoring, providing baseline data on populations and individuals. However, the influence of cultural variation on territory formation, mate choice, and gene flow should be taken into account because cultural differences could create obstacles for conservation programs that bring birds from multiple populations together and so reduce the success of interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca N. Lewis
- Department of Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ManchesterManchesterM13 9PLU.K.
- North of England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo)ChesterCH2 1LHU.K.
| | - Leah J. Williams
- North of England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo)ChesterCH2 1LHU.K.
| | - R. Tucker Gilman
- Department of Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ManchesterManchesterM13 9PLU.K.
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Pang‐Ching JM, Paxton KL, Paxton EH, Pack AA, Hart PJ. The effect of isolation, fragmentation, and population bottlenecks on song structure of a Hawaiian honeycreeper. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:2076-2087. [PMID: 29468026 PMCID: PMC5817154 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about how important social behaviors such as song vary within and among populations for any of the endemic Hawaiian honeycreepers. Habitat loss and non-native diseases (e.g., avian malaria) have resulted in isolation and fragmentation of Hawaiian honeycreepers within primarily high elevation forests. In this study, we examined how isolation of Hawai'i 'amakihi (Chlorodrepanis virens) populations within a fragmented landscape influences acoustic variability in song. In the last decade, small, isolated populations of disease tolerant 'amakihi have been found within low elevation forests, allowing us to record 'amakihi songs across a large elevational gradient (10-1800 m) that parallels disease susceptibility on Hawai'i island. To understand underlying differences among populations, we examined the role of geographic distance, elevation, and habitat structure on acoustic characteristics of 'amakihi songs. We found that the acoustic characteristics of 'amakihi songs and song-type repertoires varied most strongly across an elevational gradient. Differences in 'amakihi song types were primarily driven by less complex songs (e.g., fewer frequency changes, shorter songs) of individuals recorded at low elevation sites compared to mid and high elevation populations. The reduced complexity of 'amakihi songs at low elevation sites is most likely shaped by the effects of habitat fragmentation and a disease-driven population bottleneck associated with avian malaria, and maintained through isolation, localized song learning and sharing, and cultural drift. These results highlight how a non-native disease through its influence on population demographics may have also indirectly played a role in shaping the acoustic characteristics of a species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M. Pang‐Ching
- Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental ScienceUniversity of Hawaii at HiloHiloHIUSA
| | | | - Eben H. Paxton
- U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Island Ecosystems Research CenterHiloHIUSA
| | - Adam A. Pack
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Hawaii at HiloHiloHIUSA
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Hawaii at HiloHiloHIUSA
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Bradley DW, Molles LE, Waas JR. Post-translocation assortative pairing and social implications for the conservation of an endangered songbird. Anim Conserv 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D. W. Bradley
- Department of Biological Sciences; Faculty of Science and Engineering; University of Waikato; Hamilton New Zealand
| | - L. E. Molles
- Department of Ecology; Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Lincoln University; Lincoln New Zealand
| | - J. R. Waas
- Department of Biological Sciences; Faculty of Science and Engineering; University of Waikato; Hamilton New Zealand
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