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Genetic diversity of the great bustard in Iberia and Morocco: risks from current population fragmentation

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Abstract

We studied the genetic diversity of great bustards (Otis tarda) in Iberia and Morocco, the main stronghold of this globally endangered species. Samples were collected from 327 individuals covering most of the distribution range within the study area. Sequence variation in a 657 bp fragment of the mtDNA control region revealed 20 variable sites defining 22 haplotypes, two of them exclusive to Morocco. Genetic diversity showed marked regional differences (π = 0–0.53, h = 0–0.89). Multidimensional scaling analysis based on F ST values showed a clear division between Morocco and the Iberian Peninsula, with no evidence of current gene flow between them. Our results suggest that Morocco, where few matrilines have persisted to present, was colonized from Iberia thousands of years ago. Last century reports suggest dispersal through Gibraltar, when the species was more abundant at both sides of the Strait but later population declines and the Strait’s barrier effect have favoured current genetic isolation. Within Iberia, only the most peripheral populations (Navarra, Aragón and Andalusia) differed significantly from the main ones in central Spain. The first two showed extremely low genetic diversity and are probably threatened by inbreeding depression. Diversity was higher in Andalusia, where three exclusive haplotypes were found, suggesting some degree of isolation from other populations. Andalusia and Morocco could be regarded as separate management units which hold a significant proportion of the current genetic diversity and thus deserve urgent conservation measures.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Anke Schmidt for technical assistance. We also thank Beatriz Martín, Manuel Morales, Enrique Martín, Alejandro Onrubia, José A. Cruz and Diego González for their help during fieldwork. The study was financed by the Dirección General de Investigación (projects PB91-0081, PB94-0068, PB97-1252 and BOS2002-01543), and Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (project 2000MA1000 in Morocco), with contributions from the Instituto Nacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza, Dirección General del Medio Natural of Madrid Community, the Junta de Andalucía, and the Junta de Castilla y León. The Consejerías de Medio Ambiente of Madrid Community, Junta de Andalucía, Junta de Castilla y León and Navarra allowed us to capture the birds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain

    Juan C. Alonso, Carlos A. Martín, Carlos Palacín & Marina Magaña

  2. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain

    Carlos A. Martín

  3. Departamento de Biología Animal, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    Javier A. Alonso

  4. Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, PF 601103, 10252, Berlin, Germany

    Dietmar Lieckfeldt & Christian Pitra

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  1. Juan C. Alonso
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Correspondence to Juan C. Alonso.

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Alonso, J.C., Martín, C.A., Alonso, J.A. et al. Genetic diversity of the great bustard in Iberia and Morocco: risks from current population fragmentation. Conserv Genet 10, 379–390 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-008-9605-2

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