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Gunnarsson TG, Alves JA, Gilroy JJ, Þórisson B, Sutherland WJ, Potts PM, Gill JA. Movement of juvenile migratory birds from settlement to adulthood across the non-breeding range. J Anim Ecol 2024. [PMID: 38946701 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.14138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Among migratory vertebrates, high levels of fidelity to non-breeding sites during adulthood are common. If occupied sites vary in quality, strong site fidelity can have profound consequences for individual fitness and population demography. Given the prevalence of adult site fidelity, the regions of the non-breeding range to which juveniles first migrate, and the scale of any subsequent movements, are likely to be pivotal in shaping distributions and demographic processes across population ranges. However, inherent difficulties in tracking migratory individuals through early life mean that opportunities to quantify juvenile settlement and movements across non-breeding ranges, and the mechanisms involved, are extremely rare. Through long-term, range-wide resightings of hundreds of colour-marked individuals from their first migration to adulthood and the application of state-space models, we quantify levels of juvenile and adult regional-scale movements and distances at different life stages across the whole non-breeding distribution range in a migratory shorebird, the Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa islandica). We show that the probability of individuals changing non-breeding regions (seven historical wintering regions spanning the Western Europe range) at all ages is very low (mean movement probability = 10.9% from first to subsequent winter, and 8.3% from first adult winter to later winters). Movement between regions was also low between autumn and winter of the same year for both juveniles (mean movement probability = 17.0%) and adults (10.4%). The great majority of non-breeding movements from the first autumn to adulthood were within regions and less than 100 km. The scarcity of regional-scale non-breeding movements from the first autumn to adulthood means that the factors influencing where juveniles settle will be key determinants of non-breeding distributions and of the rate and direction of changes in distributions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - José A Alves
- South Iceland Research Centre, University of Iceland, Laugarvatn, Iceland
- Department of Biology & CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - James J Gilroy
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Böðvar Þórisson
- South Iceland Research Centre, University of Iceland, Laugarvatn, Iceland
| | | | | | - Jennifer A Gill
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
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2
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Differential shortstopping behaviour in Whooping Cranes: Habitat or social learning? Glob Ecol Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
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3
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Väli Ü, Treinys R, Bergmanis U, Daroczi S, Demerdzhiev D, Dombrovski V, Dravecký M, Ivanovski V, Kicko J, Langgemach T, Lontkowski J, Maciorowski G, Poirazidis K, Rodziewicz M, Meyburg BU. Contrasting patterns of genetic diversity and lack of population structure in the lesser spotted eagle Clanga pomarina (Aves: Accipitriformes) across its breeding range. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blac065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Characterizing the genetic diversity and structure of populations is essential for understanding their evolutionary history and planning species conservation. The lesser spotted eagle (Clanga pomarina) is a large migratory raptor with a relatively small breeding range concentrated in Eastern Europe. We evaluated the level of genetic diversity and population structuring by estimating the length diversity of 23 microsatellite markers in 306 individuals and sequencing 473 nucleotides from the mitochondrial pseudo-control region in 265 individuals across the distribution range. The microsatellite data suggested shallow differentiation between geographical regions and moderate genetic diversity across the range; no recent population bottlenecks were detected. Mitochondrial diversity was relatively low; however, high values were recorded at the southern edge of the distribution range. This, in combination with the star-like distribution of mitochondrial haplotypes, suggests the expansion of the European population from a single (Balkan) refugium during the late Pleistocene or early Holocene after the glacial population bottleneck. However, the Caucasian population may have survived in a separate refugium. We conclude that the lack of clear population structuring and ongoing gene flow across Europe support the treatment of the geographically restricted global population of the lesser spotted eagle as a single evolutionary and conservation unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ülo Väli
- Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences , Kreutzwaldi 5D, 51006 Tartu , Estonia
| | - Rimgaudas Treinys
- Nature Research Centre , Akademijos str. 2, 08412 Vilnius , Lithuania
| | - Ugis Bergmanis
- Joint Stock Company ‘Latvia’s State Forests’; ‘Tiltakalni’, Barkavas pag., Madonas nov. LV-4834, Latvia
| | - Szilard Daroczi
- Milvus Group Bird and Nature Protection Association , B-dul 1 Decembrie 1918, nr. 121, Tîrgu Mureș 540445 , Romania
| | - Dimitar Demerdzhiev
- Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds/Birdlife Bulgaria, 5 Leonardo Da Vinci Str., Plovdiv 4000, Bulgaria; National Museum of Natural History, Department of Zoology , Sofia , Bulgaria
| | - Valery Dombrovski
- National Academy of Sciences, Scientific and Practical Centre for Bioresources , Akademichnaia 27, 220072, Minsk , Belarus
| | - Miroslav Dravecký
- The East Slovak Museum in Košice, Námestie Maratónu mieru 2 , SK-04001 Košice , Slovakia
| | - Vladimir Ivanovski
- Vitebsk State University , Moskovskij Ave., 33, 210038 Vitebsk , Belarus
| | - Ján Kicko
- Považské Museum , Topoľová 1, SK-01003 Žilina , Slovakia
| | - Torsten Langgemach
- Brandenburg State Agency for Environment, Bird Conservation Centre , Buckower Dorfstraße 34, D-14715 Nennhausen/Ortsteil Buckow , Germany
| | - Jan Lontkowski
- Museum of Natural History, University of Wrocław , Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wrocław , Poland
| | - Grzegorz Maciorowski
- Department of Game Management and Forest Protection, Poznań University of Life Sciences , Wojska Polskiego 71d, 60-625 Poznań , Poland
| | - Kostas Poirazidis
- Department of Environment, Ionian University , Zakinthos GR 29100, Greece
| | - Maciej Rodziewicz
- Eagle Conservation Committee , Jagiellończyka 45, 10-062 Olsztyn , Poland
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4
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Barker KJ, Xu W, Van Scoyoc A, Serota MW, Moravek JA, Shawler AL, Ryan RE, Middleton AD. Toward a new framework for restoring lost wildlife migrations. Conserv Lett 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kristin J. Barker
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California—Berkeley Berkeley California
| | - Wenjing Xu
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California—Berkeley Berkeley California
| | - Amy Van Scoyoc
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California—Berkeley Berkeley California
| | - Mitchell W. Serota
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California—Berkeley Berkeley California
| | - Jessie A. Moravek
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California—Berkeley Berkeley California
| | - Avery L. Shawler
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California—Berkeley Berkeley California
| | - Rachael E. Ryan
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California—Berkeley Berkeley California
| | - Arthur D. Middleton
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California—Berkeley Berkeley California
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5
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Verhoeven MA, Loonstra AHJ, McBride AD, Kaspersma W, Hooijmeijer JCEW, Both C, Senner NR, Piersma T. Age-dependent timing and routes demonstrate developmental plasticity in a long-distance migratory bird. J Anim Ecol 2021; 91:566-579. [PMID: 34822170 PMCID: PMC9299929 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Longitudinal tracking studies have revealed consistent differences in the migration patterns of individuals from the same populations. The sources or processes causing this individual variation are largely unresolved. As a result, it is mostly unknown how much, how fast and when animals can adjust their migrations to changing environments. We studied the ontogeny of migration in a long‐distance migratory shorebird, the black‐tailed godwit Limosa limosa limosa, a species known to exhibit marked individuality in the migratory routines of adults. By observing how and when these individual differences arise, we aimed to elucidate whether individual differences in migratory behaviour are inherited or emerge as a result of developmental plasticity. We simultaneously tracked juvenile and adult godwits from the same breeding area on their south‐ and northward migrations. To determine how and when individual differences begin to arise, we related juvenile migration routes, timing and mortality rates to hatch date and hatch year. Then, we compared adult and juvenile migration patterns to identify potential age‐dependent differences. In juveniles, the timing of their first southward departure was related to hatch date. However, their subsequent migration routes, orientation, destination, migratory duration and likelihood of mortality were unrelated to the year or timing of migration, or their sex. Juveniles left the Netherlands after all tracked adults. They then flew non‐stop to West Africa more often and incurred higher mortality rates than adults. Some juveniles also took routes and visited stopover sites far outside the well‐documented adult migratory corridor. Such juveniles, however, were not more likely to die. We found that juveniles exhibited different migratory patterns than adults, but no evidence that these behaviours are under natural selection. We thus eliminate the possibility that the individual differences observed among adult godwits are present at hatch or during their first migration. This adds to the mounting evidence that animals possess the developmental plasticity to change their migration later in life in response to environmental conditions as those conditions are experienced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mo A Verhoeven
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - A H Jelle Loonstra
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alice D McBride
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Wiebe Kaspersma
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jos C E W Hooijmeijer
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Christiaan Both
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nathan R Senner
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Theunis Piersma
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Coastal Systems, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Texel, The Netherlands
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6
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Méndez V, Gill JA, Þórisson B, Vignisson SR, Gunnarsson TG, Alves JA. Paternal effects in the initiation of migratory behaviour in birds. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2782. [PMID: 33531548 PMCID: PMC7854704 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81274-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
What determines why some birds migrate and others do not? This question is fundamental to understanding how migratory systems are responding to environmental changes, but the causes of individual migratory behaviours have proven difficult to isolate. We show that, in a partially migratory population of Eurasian oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus), the migratory behaviour of progeny follows paternal but not maternal behaviour, and is unrelated to timing of hatching or fledging. These findings highlight the key role of social interactions in shaping the migratory behaviour of new generations, and thus the spatio-temporal distribution of migratory populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Méndez
- South Iceland Research Centre, University of Iceland, Laugarvatn, 840, Iceland.
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK.
| | - J A Gill
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - B Þórisson
- South Iceland Research Centre, University of Iceland, Laugarvatn, 840, Iceland
| | - S R Vignisson
- South Iceland Research Centre, University of Iceland, Laugarvatn, 840, Iceland
- Sudurnes Science and Learning Center, Sandgerði, 245, Iceland
| | - T G Gunnarsson
- South Iceland Research Centre, University of Iceland, Laugarvatn, 840, Iceland
| | - J A Alves
- South Iceland Research Centre, University of Iceland, Laugarvatn, 840, Iceland
- Department of Biology and CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3910-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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7
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Thorup K, Vega ML, Snell KRS, Lubkovskaia R, Willemoes M, Sjöberg S, Sokolov LV, Bulyuk V. Flying on their own wings: young and adult cuckoos respond similarly to long-distance displacement during migration. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7698. [PMID: 32382101 PMCID: PMC7205979 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64230-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Common cuckoos Cuculus canorus are obligate nest parasites yet young birds reach their distant, species-specific wintering grounds without being able to rely on guidance from experienced conspecifics - in fact they never meet their parents. Naïve marine animals use an inherited navigational map during migration but in inexperienced terrestrial animal migrants unequivocal evidence of navigation is lacking. We present satellite tracking data on common cuckoos experimentally displaced 1,800 km eastward from Rybachy to Kazan. After displacement, both young and adult travelled similarly towards the route of non-displaced control birds. The tracking data demonstrate the potential for young common cuckoos to return to the species-specific migration route after displacement, a response so far reported exclusively in experienced birds. Our results indicate that an inherited map allows first-time migrating cuckoos to locate suitable wintering grounds. This is in contrast to previous studies of solitary terrestrial bird migrants but similar to that reported from the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasper Thorup
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Marta Lomas Vega
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Mikkel Willemoes
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sissel Sjöberg
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Leonid V Sokolov
- Biological Station Rybachy, Zoological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Victor Bulyuk
- Biological Station Rybachy, Zoological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg, Russia
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8
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Burnside RJ, Buchan C, Salliss D, Collar NJ, Dolman PM. Releases of Asian houbara must respect genetic and geographic origin to preserve inherited migration behaviour: evidence from a translocation experiment. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:200250. [PMID: 32269827 PMCID: PMC7137974 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.200250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Maintaining appropriate migratory strategies is important in conservation; however, translocations of migratory animals may alter locally evolved migration behaviours of recipient populations if these are different and heritable. We used satellite telemetry and experimental translocation to quantify differences and assess heritability in migration behaviours between three migratory Asian houbara (Chlamydotis macqueenii) breeding populations (640 km range across eastern, central and western Uzbekistan). Adults from the eastern population migrated twice as far (mean = 1184 km ± 44 s.e.) as the western population (656 km ± 183 s.e.) and showed significantly less variation in migration distance than the central population (1030 km ± 127 s.e.). The western and central populations wintered significantly further north (mean: +8.32° N ± 1.70 s.e. and +4.19° N ± 1.16 s.e., respectively) and the central population further west (-3.47° E ± 1.46 s.e.) than individuals from the eastern population. These differences could arise from a differing innate drive, or through learnt facultative responses to topography, filtered by survival. Translocated birds from the eastern population (wild-laid and captive-reared, n = 5) migrated further than adults from either western or central recipient populations, particularly in their second migration year. Translocated birds continued migrating south past suitable wintering grounds used by the recipient populations despite having to negotiate mountain obstacles. Together, this suggests a considerable conserved heritable migratory component with local adaptation at a fine geographic scale. Surviving translocated individuals returned to their release site, suggesting that continued translocations would lead to introgression of the heritable component and risk altering recipient migration patterns. Conservation biologists considering translocation interventions for migratory populations should evaluate potential genetic components of migratory behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Burnside
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ, UK
- Author for correspondence: Robert J. Burnside e-mail:
| | - Claire Buchan
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Daniel Salliss
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Nigel J. Collar
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ, UK
- BirdLife International, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - Paul M. Dolman
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ, UK
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9
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Nourani E, Vansteelant WMG, Byholm P, Safi K. Dynamics of the energy seascape can explain intra-specific variations in sea-crossing behaviour of soaring birds. Biol Lett 2020; 16:20190797. [PMID: 31964257 PMCID: PMC7013482 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2019.0797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Thermal soaring birds extract energy from the atmosphere to achieve energetically low-cost movement. When encountering regions that are energetically costly to fly over, such as open seas, they should attempt to adjust the spatio-temporal pattern of their passage to maximize energy extraction from the atmosphere over these ecological barriers. We applied the concept of energy landscapes to investigate the spatio-temporal dynamics of energy availability over the open sea for soaring flight. We specifically investigated how the 'energy seascape' may shape age-specific sea-crossing behaviour of European honey buzzards, Pernis apivorus, over the Mediterranean Sea in autumn. We found uplift potential over the sea to be the main determinant of sea-crossing distance, rather than wind conditions. Considering this variable as a proxy for available energy over the sea, we constructed the energy seascape for the autumn migration season using 40 years of temperature data. Our results indicate that early-migrating adult buzzards are likely to encounter adverse energy subsidence over the Mediterranean, whereas late-migrating juveniles face less adverse flight conditions, and even conditions conducive to soaring flight. Our study provides evidence that the dynamics of the energy landscape can explain intra-specific variation in migratory behaviour also at sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Nourani
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - W. M. G. Vansteelant
- Theoretical and Computational Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - P. Byholm
- Novia University of Applied Sciences, Ekenäs, Finland
| | - K. Safi
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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10
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Gill JA, Alves JA, Gunnarsson TG. Mechanisms driving phenological and range change in migratory species. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20180047. [PMID: 31352888 PMCID: PMC6710574 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Many migratory systems are changing rapidly in space and time, and these changes present challenges for conservation. Changes in local abundance and site occupancy across species' ranges have raised concerns over the efficacy of the existing protected area networks, while changes in phenology can potentially create mismatches in the timing of annual events with the availability of key resources. These changes could arise either through individuals shifting in space and time or through generational shifts in the frequency of individuals using different locations or on differing migratory schedules. Using a long-term study of a migratory shorebird in which individuals have been tracked through a period of range expansion and phenological change, we show that these changes occur through generational shifts in spatial and phenological distributions, and that individuals are highly consistent in space and time. Predictions of future rates of changes in range size and phenology, and their implications for species conservation, will require an understanding of the processes that can drive generational shifts. We therefore explore the developmental, demographic and environmental processes that could influence generational shifts in phenology and distribution, and the studies that will be needed to distinguish among these mechanisms of change. This article is part of the theme issue 'Linking behaviour to dynamics of populations and communities: application of novel approaches in behavioural ecology to conservation'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Gill
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - José A. Alves
- Department of Biology and CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Tómas G. Gunnarsson
- South Iceland Research Centre, University of Iceland, Lindarbraut 4, 840 Laugarvatn, Iceland
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11
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Väli Ü, Dombrovski V, Dzmitranok M, Maciorowski G, Meyburg BU. High genetic diversity and low differentiation retained in the European fragmented and declining Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga) population. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3064. [PMID: 30816145 PMCID: PMC6395815 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39187-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterising genetic diversity and structure of populations is essential for effective conservation of threatened species. The Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga), a large and globally vulnerable raptor, is extinct or in severe decline in most of its previous range in Europe. We assessed whether the remnants of European population are genetically impoverished, and isolated from each other. We evaluated levels of genetic diversity and population structuring by sequencing mitochondrial pseudo-control region and 10 introns from various nuclear genes, and estimated length diversity in 23 microsatellite markers. The European population has expanded since the late Pleistocene, and does not exhibit signs of a recent population bottleneck. The global genetic diversity in Europe was rather similar to that detected in other similar species. Microsatellites suggested shallow but significant differentiation between the four extant populations in Estonia, Poland, Belarus and Russia (Upper Volga region) populations, but introns and mtDNA showed that only the Estonian population differed from the others. Mitochondrial diversity was highest in the northernmost Estonian population, introns suggested lower diversity in Upper Volga, microsatellites indicated equal diversity among populations. A recent bottleneck was detected in Poland, which is consistent with the observed repopulation of the region. We conclude that significant gene flow and high genetic diversity are retained in the fragmented Greater Spotted Eagle populations; there is currently no need for genetic augmentation in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ülo Väli
- Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51006, Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Valery Dombrovski
- National Academy of Sciences, Academichnaia 27, 220072, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Marina Dzmitranok
- National Academy of Sciences, Academichnaia 27, 220072, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Grzegorz Maciorowski
- Institute of Zoology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland
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12
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Verhoeven MA, Loonstra AHJ, Senner NR, McBride AD, Both C, Piersma T. Variation From an Unknown Source: Large Inter-individual Differences in Migrating Black-Tailed Godwits. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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13
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Brakes P, Dall SRX, Aplin LM, Bearhop S, Carroll EL, Ciucci P, Fishlock V, Ford JKB, Garland EC, Keith SA, McGregor PK, Mesnick SL, Noad MJ, di Sciara GN, Robbins MM, Simmonds MP, Spina F, Thornton A, Wade PR, Whiting MJ, Williams J, Rendell L, Whitehead H, Whiten A, Rutz C. Animal cultures matter for conservation. Science 2019; 363:1032-1034. [PMID: 30808816 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw3557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Philippa Brakes
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials.
| | - Sasha R X Dall
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | - Lucy M Aplin
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | - Stuart Bearhop
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | - Emma L Carroll
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | - Paolo Ciucci
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | - Vicki Fishlock
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | - John K B Ford
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | - Ellen C Garland
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | - Sally A Keith
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | | | - Sarah L Mesnick
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | - Michael J Noad
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | | | | | - Mark P Simmonds
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | - Fernando Spina
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | - Alex Thornton
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | - Paul R Wade
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | | | - James Williams
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | - Luke Rendell
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | - Hal Whitehead
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | - Andrew Whiten
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials
| | - Christian Rutz
- Author affiliations are listed in the supplementary materials.
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Väli Ü, Mirski P, Sellis U, Dagys M, Maciorowski G. Genetic determination of migration strategies in large soaring birds: evidence from hybrid eagles. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:rspb.2018.0855. [PMID: 30111595 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.0855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The relative contributions of genetic and social factors in shaping the living world are a crucial question in ecology. The annual migration of birds to their wintering grounds and back provides significant knowledge in this field of research. Migratory movements are predominantly genetically determined in passerine birds, while in large soaring birds, it is presumed that social (cultural) factors play the largest role. In this study, we show that genetic factors in soaring birds are more important than previously assumed. We used global positioning system (GPS)-telemetry to compare the autumn journeys and wintering ranges of two closely related large raptorial bird species, the greater spotted eagle Clanga clanga and the lesser spotted eagle Clanga pomarina, and hybrids between them. The timing of migration in hybrids was similar to that of one parental species, but the wintering distributions and home range sizes were similar to those of the other. Tracking data were supported by habitat suitability modelling, based on GPS fixes and ring recoveries. These results suggest a strong genetic influence on migration strategy via a trait-dependent dominance effect, although we cannot rule out the contribution of social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ülo Väli
- Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Studies, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51014 Tartu, Estonia .,Eagle Club, 63406 Valgjärve vald, Hauka, Estonia
| | - Paweł Mirski
- Institute of Biology, University of Bialystok, Ciołkowskiego 1 J, 15-245 Białystok, Poland
| | - Urmas Sellis
- Eagle Club, 63406 Valgjärve vald, Hauka, Estonia
| | - Mindaugas Dagys
- Laboratory of Avian Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 08412, Lithuania
| | - Grzegorz Maciorowski
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71c, Poznań 60-625, Poland
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15
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Meyburg BU, Bergmanis U, Langgemach T, Graszynski K, Hinz A, Börner I, Meyburg C, Vansteelant WMG. Orientation of native versus translocated juvenile lesser spotted eagles ( Clanga pomarina) on the first autumn migration. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 220:2765-2776. [PMID: 28768749 PMCID: PMC5558239 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.148932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The ontogeny of migration routines used by wild birds remains unresolved. Here we investigated the migratory orientation of juvenile lesser spotted eagles (LSE; Clanga pomarina) based on translocation and satellite tracking. Between 2004 and 2016, 85 second-hatched juveniles (Abels) were reared in captivity for release into the declining German population, including 50 birds that were translocated 940 km from Latvia. In 2009, we tracked 12 translocated juveniles, as well as eight native juveniles and nine native adults, to determine how inexperienced birds come to use strategic migration routes. Native juveniles departed around the same time as the adults and six of eight used the eastern flyway around the Mediterranean, which was used by all adults. In contrast, translocated juveniles departed on average 6 days before native LSEs, and five travelled southward and died in the central Mediterranean region. Consequently, fewer translocated juveniles (4/12) than native juveniles (7/8) reached Africa. We conclude that juvenile LSEs have a much better chance of learning the strategic southeastern flyway if they leave at an appropriate time to connect with experienced elders upon departure. It is not clear why translocated juveniles departed so early. Regardless, by the end of the year, most juveniles had perished, whether they were translocated (10/12) or not (6/8). The small number of surviving translocated juveniles thus still represents a significant increase in the annual productivity of the German LSE population in 2009.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd-U Meyburg
- BirdLife Germany (NABU), PO Box 330451, Berlin 14199, Germany
| | - Ugis Bergmanis
- Latvijas valsts meži, Vaiņodes iela 1, Rīga LV -1004, Latvia
| | - Torsten Langgemach
- Brandenburg State Bird Conservation Centre, Dorfstr. 34, Buckow, Nennhausen 14715, Germany
| | - Kai Graszynski
- Department of Biology, Free University Berlin, Schreberstr. 8 A, Berlin 14167, Germany
| | - Arno Hinz
- Agency of Forestry, Vietmannsdorfer Str. 39, Templin 17269, Germany
| | - Ingo Börner
- Veterinarian practice, Neuer Weg 5, Templin 17268, Germany
| | - Christiane Meyburg
- World Working Group on Birds of Prey, 31, Avenue du Maine, Paris 75015, France
| | - Wouter M G Vansteelant
- Theoretical and Computational Ecology, Inst. for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Vansteelant Eco Research, Dijkgraaf 35, Bennekom 6721NJ, The Netherlands
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16
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Knight K. Migrating young eagles follow adults for conservation success. J Exp Biol 2017. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.166454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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