Genomic analysis of geographical structure and diversity in the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus)

The capercaillie is widespread throughout the boreal forests of northern Eurasia but faces serious conservation challenges in the southernmost mountain ranges, where the populations are fragmented and some are critically endangered. To develop effective conservation strategies for these populations, it is essential to have information on both their genetic diversity and the genetic structure of the species. In this work, we used a reduced representation (ddRAD) genomic sequencing technique to analyze the genetic structure of the capercaillie across its European range and to assess the inbreeding levels in some of the most threatened populations. Our population structure analysis suggested the existence of two evolutionarily significant units, one formed by the two populations from the Iberian Peninsula and the other by the populations from the rest of Europe. Genetic diversity showed a significant decrease in the Iberian populations with respect to the other European populations. An isolation-with-migration model supported these results and allowed us to estimate the parameters of the population tree. The inbreeding coefficients estimated for the Iberian capercaillies showed relatively low levels in the Pyrenees. However, some individuals with very high inbreeding values were detected in the Cantabrian Mountains, suggesting that some of its subpopulations are substantially isolated. The population structure results and the genomic monitoring method we used to assess inbreeding levels may be crucial for the conservation and recovery of the most endangered capercaillie populations.Funding provided by: Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto DemográficoCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100019408Award Number: Funding provided by: Junta de Castilla y LeónCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100014180Award Number: Funding provided by: Gobierno del Principado de AsturiasCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100011941Award Number: Funding provided by: MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033**Crossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: PID2020-113586GB-I0

Le pestivirus et les isards, une interaction durable

Dans les années 1990, alors que les populations d’isards montraient une forte croissance démographique, étaient découverts les premiers individus porteurs d’anticorps contre le pestivirus. Au début des années 2000, la mise en évidence du virus lui-même coïncidait avec l’observation du déclin de plusieurs populations. Depuis, le pestivirus de l’isard a atteint de nombreux secteurs, où il peut causer des mortalités importantes comme passer inaperçu. Des recherches ont été menées de part et d’autres des Pyrénées pour comprendre ses modalités de transmission et évaluer son impact ; mais en dépit d’importantes avancées, aucune solution évidente ne s’impose encore pour l’éradique

Le pestivirus et les isards, une interaction durable

Dans les années 1990, alors que les populations d'isards montraient une forte croissance démographique, étaient découverts les premiers individus porteurs d'anticorps contre le pestivirus. Au début des années 2000, la mise en évidence du virus lui-même coïncidait avec l'observation du déclin de plusieurs populations. Depuis, le pestivirus de l'isard a atteint de nombreux secteurs, où il peut causer des mortalités importantes comme passer inaperçu. Des recherches ont été menées de part et d'autres des Pyrénées pour comprendre ses modalités de transmission et évaluer son impact ; mais en dépit d'importantes avancées, aucune solution évidente ne s'impose encore pour l'éradiquer

Self-clearance of Pestivirus in a Pyrenean Chamois ( Rupicapra pyrenaica

International audienc

Self-clearance of Pestivirus in a Pyrenean Chamois ( Rupicapra pyrenaica ) Population

International audienc

Sedation of Wild Pyrenean Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus aquitanicus) Using Intramuscular Midazolam

Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking offers key information in the study of movement ecology of threatened species. Nevertheless, the placement of GPS devices requires animal capture and handling, which may represent a challenge to the individual's survival after release, mainly due to capture myopathy. The Pyrenean Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus aquitanicus) is a threatened galliform especially sensitive to handling, extremely elusive, and challenging to capture. Our goal was to adapt a sedation protocol for Pyrenean Capercaillies undergoing GPS tagging, in order to increase their welfare and safety during the procedure. From 2018 to 2021, 23 wild Pyrenean Capercaillies were captured and sedated for GPS tagging as part of a European conservation project of emblematic Pyrenean avian species. The birds received intramuscular (IM) sedation with midazolam (ranging from 1.9 mg/kg to 8.08 mg/kg) and were handled for 20 to 40 min. Sedation was reversed with flumazenil (0.1 mg/mL IM). The sedated capercaillies were less responsive to stimuli (i.e., closed eyes and recumbency), showing discrete to no response to handling (i.e., placement of the GPS device, physical examination, cloacal temperature measurement, or reflex tests). Such response was compared in birds with sedation doses above and below the average dose (5.17 mg/kg). Only one clinical sign showed statistically significant differences between the two groups ("open-mouth breathing" sign, p = 0.02). A mortality rate of 4.35% was registered (one individual died during handling). Sedation facilitated the handling of the birds and faster interventions in the field, without increasing mortality when compared to handling without sedation. Therefore, sedation was shown to be a useful tool to reduce stress related to capture and handling of the threatened Pyrenean Capercaillie.Peer reviewe