Inbreeding in reintroduced populations: the effects of early reintroduction history and contemporary processes

Maintaining genetic variation and minimizing inbreeding are central goals of conservation genetics. It is therefore crucial to understand the important population parameters that affect inbreeding, particularly in reintroduction programs. Using data from 41 reintroduced Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex) populations we estimated inbreeding since the beginning of reintroductions using population-specific Fst, and inbreeding over the last few generations with contemporary effective population sizes. Total levels of inbreeding since reintroduction of ibex were, on average, close to that from one generation of half-sib mating. Contemporary effective population sizes did not reflect total inbreeding since reintroduction, but 16% of variation in contemporary effective population sizes among populations was due to variation in current population sizes. Substantial variation in inbreeding levels among populations was explained by founder group sizes and the harmonic mean population sizes since founding. This study emphasizes that, in addition to founder group sizes, early population growth rates are important parameters determining inbreeding levels in reintroduced population

ERITHACUS RUBECULA

Abstract.--Partially migratory behavior, the occurrence of resident and migratory individuals in a population, has been reported in free-living birds. I examined this behavior in the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) under controlled experimental conditions. In an offspring group from a partially migratory field population, 36 (78•) individuals exhibited migratory restlessness (migrants), whereas 10 did not (residents). There were more migrants (89't) in an offspring group from exclusively migratory parents and fewer migrants (53%) from an offspring group from mostly resident parents than there were in the field population. A heritability value of 0.52 was found under the experimental conditions. A connection between the genetic determination of migratory behavior and unpredictable winter weather in the breeding area is discussed

Spring weights of some Palaearctic passerines in Ethiopia and Kenya: evidence for important migration staging areas in eastern Ethiopia

Palaearctic migrants were trapped in late April and early May at a passage site near Jijiga in eastern Ethiopia. Willow Warblers Phylloscopus trochilus and Spotted Flycatchers Muscicapa striata were predominant, while Red-backed Shrikes Lanius collurio, Sedge Warblers Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, Reed Warblers A. scirpaceus, Garden Warblers Sylvia borin and Common Whitethroats S. communis also featured prominently. Weights were high in all species, and over 70% of the birds caught were extremely fat. Spring weights and fat scores at Jijiga were compared with those found in the same species in Kenya, and the difference was striking. In Kenya, most species had mean spring weights 10–20% above lean weight; at Jijiga, species’ mean weights ranged from 30% to 55% above lean weight. Whereas the reserves of most migrants departing from Kenya would have supported flights only as far as Ethiopia, the fat loads of birds at Jijiga indicated a potential for crossing Arabia with little need to feed. This suggests important staging and fattening grounds between these two areas, perhaps in the Acacia–Commiphora bushlands drained by the upper Juba and Shebelle rivers and their tributaries

Eine enzymatische Methode zur Bestimmung von Cefotaxim in Serum- und Harnproben

Peer Reviewe

Microsatellite-based genotyping of MHC class II DRB1 gene in Iberian and Alpine ibex

In an analysis of a microsatellite locus (OLADRB1) linked to the MHC DRB1 gene of Iberian and Alpine ibex (Capra pyrenaica and Capra ibex), we detected strong linkage disequilibrium between both loci. The allele length polymorphism at OLADRB1 was unambiguously linked to a particular DRB1 allele. This allowed us to develop a DRB-STR matching method for both ibex species. Validation of the DRB-STR matching method was performed in 160 Iberian ibex from Spain and 98 Alpine ibex from Switzerland and Italy. This simple and relatively inexpensive protocol may find wide applications in a variety of research areas (e.g., mate choice, pathogen-driven selection) and in the biological conservation and management of the Western European ibex population

Carbohydrate absorption by blackcap warblers (Sylvia atricapilla) changes during migratory refuelling stopovers

Passerine birds migrating long distances arrive at stopover sites to refuel having lost as much as 50% of their initial body mass (mb), including significant losses to digestive organs that may serve as a reservoir of protein catabolised for fuel during flight. Birds newly arrived at a stopover show slow or no mb gain during the initial 2–3 days of a stopover, which suggests that energy assimilation may be limited by reduced digestive organs. Measurements of migrants and captive birds subjected to simulated migratory fasts have shown reductions in intestine mass, morphological changes to the mucosal epithelium, and reductions in food intake and assimilation rate upon initial refeeding. We found that blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla, Linnaeus) newly arrived at a migratory stopover after crossing the Sahara and Sinai deserts had significantly increased paracellular nutrient absorption (non-carrier mediated uptake occurring across tight junctions between enterocytes) that may provide partial compensation for reduced digestive capacity resulting from changes to intestinal tissues. Indeed, newly arrived birds also had a slightly reduced capacity for absorption of a glucose analogue (3-O-methyl-D-glucose) transported simultaneously by both carrier-mediated and non-mediated mechanisms. Increased paracellular absorption coupled with extended digesta retention time may thus allow migratory blackcaps to maintain high digestive efficiency during initial stages of refuelling while digestive organs are rebuilt.C.R. Tracy, T.J. McWhorter, M.S. Wojciechowski, B. Pinshow and W.H. Karaso

Water and heat balance during flight in the Rose coloured starling (Sturnus roseus, Linneus).

Water imbalance during flight is considered to be a potentially limiting factor for flight ranges in migrating birds, but empirical data are scarce. We studied flights under controlled ambient conditions with rose-colored starlings in a wind tunnel. In one experiment, we measured water fluxes with stable isotopes at a range of flight speeds (9-14 m s(-1)) at constant temperature (15 degrees C). In a second experiment, we measured evaporation rates at variable ambient temperatures (T-a = 5 degrees-27 degrees C) but constant speed (12 m s(-1)). During all flights, the birds experienced a net water loss. On average, water influx was 0.98 g h(-1) (SD = 0.16; n = 8), and water efflux was 1.29 g h(-1) (SD = 0.16; n = 8) irrespective of flight speed. Evaporation was related to temperature in a biphasic pattern. At temperatures below 18.2 degrees C, net evaporation was constant at 0.36 g h(-1) (SD = 0.14; n = 8)), rising at higher temperatures with a slope of 0.11 per degree to about 1.5 g h(-1) at 27 degrees C. We calculated the relative proportion of dry and evaporative heat loss during flight. Evaporative heat loss at T-a < 18.2 degrees C was 14% of total a heat production during flight, and dry heat loss accounted for 84%. At higher temperatures, evaporative heat loss increased linearly with T-a to about 25% at 27 degrees C. Our data suggest that for prolonged flights, rose-colored starlings should adopt behavioral water-saving strategies and that they cannot complete their annual migration without stopovers to replenish their water reserves

Promoting collaboration between livestock and wildlife conservation genetics communities

The collaboration between livestock and wildlife conservation genetics communities has the potential to help promote shared priorities, with respect to emerging technologies and new analytical approaches such as next generation sequencing incorporating adaptive variation. The GLOBALDIV Consortium recently organized an international workshop held at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland) including a whole-day session with contributions aimed at taking stock of the situation regarding the extent of information and methodology exchange between the two communities. Discussions permitted the identification of potential benefits of further promoting cooperation in the context of genetic monitoring in particular, a central concept to current concerns for both the livestock and wildlife conservation communitie