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  • 1.
    Amininasab, Seyed Mehdi
    et al.
    Univ Groningen, Behav & Physiol Ecol, Groningen Inst Evolutionary Life Sci, POB 11103, NL-9700 CC Groningen, Netherlands.;Behbahan Khatam Alanbia Univ Technol, Dept Environm Sci, Behbahan, Iran..
    Xu, Charles C. Y.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology. Univ Groningen, Behav & Physiol Ecol, Groningen Inst Evolutionary Life Sci, POB 11103, NL-9700 CC Groningen, Netherlands..
    Kingma, Sjouke A.
    Univ Groningen, Behav & Physiol Ecol, Groningen Inst Evolutionary Life Sci, POB 11103, NL-9700 CC Groningen, Netherlands..
    Komdeur, Jan
    Univ Groningen, Behav & Physiol Ecol, Groningen Inst Evolutionary Life Sci, POB 11103, NL-9700 CC Groningen, Netherlands..
    Effect of tree logging on reproductive performance in Blue Tits (Cyanistes caeruleus)2017In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 158, no 1, p. 339-344Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    For birds, habitat quality is largely determined by local vegetation, and reproductive performance can therefore be negatively influenced by anthropogenic activities. A tree logging event enabled us to examine the effect of removing trees of different maturities and types on the reproductive performance of Blue Tits (Cyanistes caeruleus). Against expectations, only the logging of small coniferous trees, but not larger and deciduous trees, was associated with a reduction in the number of eggs laid, whereas logging had no significant effect on lay date. Therefore, we conclude that modest logging activity has no or limited negative influence on Blue Tit reproductive performance.

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  • 2.
    Corrales, Carolina
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Population and Conservation Biology.
    Höglund, Jacob
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Population and Conservation Biology.
    Maintenance of gene flow by female-biased dispersal of black grouse, Tetrao tetrix in northern Sweden2012In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 153, no 4, p. 1127-1139Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Sex-biased dispersal is a common phenomenon in most birds. In general, males breed at or near their site of birth while most of the females disperse. We investigated the dispersal patterns and genetic structure of lekking Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix based on ten microsatellite loci. Data for 469 individuals from 25 localities spaced from 45 to 558 km apart revealed low levels of genetic differentiation and high connectivity among studied sites due to female-biased dispersal. The spatial distribution of the genetic variation did not follow an isolation by distance pattern neither for females nor for males. STRUCTURE identified three clusters of male individuals but without any geographical pattern. Only one cluster was identified for females. Several tests of sex-biased dispersal were executed. Most of them showed no difference between sexes, but the mean assignment index and F IS showed a statistically significant female-biased dispersal. Therefore, we consider that the northern Swedish Black Grouse population is a panmictic population. The amount of gene flow throughout time has been consistent with dispersal and with no strong effect of forest fragmentation in the region.

  • 3.
    Corrales, Carolina
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Population and Conservation Biology.
    Pavlovska, Mariia
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Population and Conservation Biology.
    Hoglund, Jacob
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Population and Conservation Biology.
    Phylogeography and subspecies status of Black Grouse2014In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 155, no 1, p. 13-25Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The cold periods of the Pleistocene have had a striking impact on the diversification of most organisms in temperate regions. Phylogeographic patterns and postglacial expansion are poorly understood in the Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix). This species is widely distributed across Eurasia, and has been divided into a number of subspecies on the basis of morphological differences and geographic isolation. To investigate the evolutionary history of the species, 143 samples from different regions were examined for a mtDNA control region fragment. Overall, analyses of mtDNA gave support for the divergence between Tetrao tetrix tetrix, T. t. ussuriensis and T. t. mongolicus. The analyses reveal the effects of colonisation out of glacial refugia on the genetic diversity and genetic structure of Black Grouse. The phylogeographical results are consistent with a demographic population expansion following a bell-shaped mismatch distribution, a star-shaped phylogeny and low nucleotide diversity. Patterns of postglacial dispersal imply that Black Grouse from southern Europe have been restricted to this area, and did not contribute to the genetic diversity of northern Europe. Instead, Black Grouse spread out to northern Europe from a refugium in the east and a possible one in western Europe, following the retreat of glacial ice sheets, although both refugia remain unidentified. We suggest that T. t. britannicus and T. t. viridanus correspond to northern T. t. tetrix, and that this lineage has diverged from the other subspecies. This division is tentative due to limited sampling, but it will facilitate the management of different evolutionary significant units of the species.

  • 4. Doligez, Blandine
    et al.
    Daniel, Gregory
    Warin, Patrick
    Part, Tomas
    Gustafsson, Lars
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal Ecology.
    Reale, Denis
    Estimation and comparison of heritability and parent-offspring resemblance in dispersal probability from capture-recapture data using different methods: the Collared Flycatcher as a case study2012In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 152, p. S539-S554Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Understanding the evolution of a trait requires analysing its genetic basis. Many studies have therefore estimated heritability values of different traits in wild populations using quantitative genetic approaches on capture-recapture data of individuals with known parentage. However, these models assume perfect individual detection probability, a hidden hypothesis that is rarely met in natural populations. To what extent ignoring imperfect detection may bias heritability estimates in wild populations needs specific investigation. We give a first insight into this question using dispersal probability in a patchy population of Collared Flycatchers Ficedula albicollis as an example. We estimate and compare heritability and parent-offspring resemblance in dispersal obtained from (1) quantitative genetic approaches ("classical'' parent-offspring regressions and more recent animal models) and (2) multi-state capture-recapture models accounting for individual detection probability. Unfortunately, current capture-recapture models do not provide heritability estimates, preventing a full comparison of results between models at this stage. However, in the study population, detection probability may be expected to be lower for dispersing compared to philopatric individuals because of lower mating/breeding success and/or higher temporary emigration, making the use of capture-recapture models particularly relevant. We show significant parent-offspring resemblance and heritable component of between-patch dispersal probability in this population. Accounting for imperfect detection does however not seem to influence the observed pattern of parent-offspring resemblance in dispersal probability, although detection probability is both sensibly lower than 1 and heterogeneous among individuals according to dispersal status. We discuss the problems encountered, the information that can be derived from, and the constraints linked to, each method. To obtain unbiased heritability estimates, combining quantitative genetic and capture-recapture models is needed, which should be one of the main developments of capture-recapture models in the near future.

  • 5. Hartman, Goran
    et al.
    Kolzsch, Andrea
    Larsson, Karl
    Nordberg, Marcus
    Höglund, Jacob
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Population and Conservation Biology.
    Trends and population dynamics of a Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) population: influence of density dependence and winter climate2013In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 154, no 3, p. 837-847Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    As many seaduck populations around the world have been reported to be in decline, there is an increasing demand for knowledge about intrinsic and extrinsic factors determining population dynamics of these species. In this study, we analyzed long-term dynamics of the summer population of Velvet Scoters (Melanitta fusca) breeding in the Aland archipelago in the Baltic Sea; in particular, we examined the influence of winter weather and density dependence on population change. The studied population exhibited substantial fluctuations but only a weak negative trend during the total period of 58 years (1949-2007), and no significant trend at all during the latter three decades of the study (1977-2007). We tested for density dependence and incorporated the winter North Atlantic Oscillation index into the model to test for effects of winter conditions. Our final model explained 56.3 % of the variance of population growth of the studied population. Delayed density dependence explained 29.7 %, pre-breeding climate 8.3 %, and post-breeding climate 18.3 % of the variance. That breeding success is density dependent in a delayed manner is in accordance with the apprehension that Velvet Scoters breed at the age of 2 years. We conclude that density dependence and winter conditions must be taken into consideration when discussing population changes in seaducks in general and the Velvet Scoter in particular.

  • 6. Hasselquist, Dennis
    et al.
    Östman, Örjan
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution.
    Waldenstrom, Jonas
    Bensch, Staffan
    Temporal patterns of occurrence and transmission of the blood parasite Haemoproteus payevskyi in the great reed warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus2007In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 148, no 4, p. 401-409Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    We studied the prevalence and intensity of the haemosporidian blood parasite Haemoproteus payevskyi in great reed warblers at Lake Kvismaren (6 years) and Lake Segersjo (3 years) in Sweden. Based on microscopic inspection of slides from 282 adult birds, 20.6% showed infection of H. payevskyi in circulating red blood cells in at least 1 year. For parasite prevalence, there was no difference between years, sex, and age classes. However, parasite intensity was higher in females than in males, and this was most pronounced in 1-year-old birds. Individuals scored to carry parasites in year (n) were more likely to show parasite infection year (n + 1) than birds scored to be parasite-free in year (n) . None of 99 juvenile birds examined at the breeding site in late summer, 4-9 weeks after hatching, showed infection of H. payevskyi. Parasite intensity in infected adult birds decreased in the course of the breeding season and no new or relapse infections were observed during this period. Thus, our data imply that in the great reed warbler, a long-distance migrant to tropical Africa, transmission of H. payevskyi occurs on wintering sites or at stopover sites during migration.

  • 7. Helander, Björn
    et al.
    Hailer, Frank
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Vilà, Carles
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Morphological and genetic sex identification of white-tailed eagle Haliaeetus albicilla nestlings2007In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 148, no 4, p. 435-442Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Identifying the sex of bird nestlings is relevant to studies of behaviour and ecology and is often a central issue in the management of endangered or captive populations. The white-tailed eagle Haliaeetus albicilla is a formerly threatened Eurasian raptor which is closely monitored in many countries due to its high exposure to environmental pollutants in the food chain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of sex identification methods for white-tailed eagle nestlings based on morphological measurements that can be recorded at the nest by a single person and with minimum disturbance. The sex of each bird was independently determined using molecular (genetic) methods. One measure of tarsus width allowed the correct identification of sex for 96% of the nestlings from southern and central Sweden. However, we found that the criteria for sex identification were not directly applicable to the population in Swedish Lapland, where nestlings are typically thinner, probably due to a limited food supply. These results show that sexing in the field of white-tailed eagle nestlings can be feasible with high accuracy based on a limited number of measurements. However, the criteria employed to separate sexes may have to be adjusted for each population.

  • 8.
    Hoglund, Jacob
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal ecology.
    Saether, Stein Are
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics.
    Fiske, Peder
    Wheatcroft, David
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal ecology.
    Kalas, John Atle
    A hybrid snipe Gallinago gallinago x G-media found in the wild2015In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 156, no 3, p. 819-827Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    A hybrid snipe male was observed and caught in 2009 in the Norwegian mountains. We report behaviour, vocalizations, morphology, and genetic data for this bird. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences revealed that the hybrid had a great snipe mother and a common snipe father. The hybrid was intermediate in most measured morphometric traits and showed some intermediate plumage characteristics. The behaviour was similar to that of a great snipe-it displayed and vocalised at a great snipe lek for more than a week. The song was somewhat reminiscent of a great snipe's, but lacked the frequency-modulated whistles that are part of the great snipe song, consisting of more rapid click notes of a narrower frequency spectrum. This is the only putative hybrid that we have found among the more than 4,400 adult individuals we have examined between 1986 and 2014 at great snipe leks in Norway, Sweden, Poland, and Estonia. Common snipes invariably occur near these sites. Reports on putative hybrids among snipe species are very rare, and we question the validity of previous claims. This is the first where the parental origins-and, indeed, the hybrid status-have been unequivocally determined. We speculate on how a great snipe female, known for being extremely choosy about mating, came to mate with a common snipe male. We also note that, although perhaps behaviourally more likely, physical constraints on chick development (caused by the smaller egg size of the common snipe and larger body size of the great snipe) might prevent any successful male great snipe x female common snipe hybridisation-a possible example of an unidirectional post-zygotic barrier.

  • 9.
    Höglund, Jacob
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Population and Conservation Biology.
    Johansson, Tomas
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Animal Ecology.
    Beintema, Albert
    Schekkerman, Hans
    Phylogeography of the Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa: substructuring revealed by mtDNA control region sequences2009In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 150, no 1, p. 45-53Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Black-tailed (Limosa limosa) and Hudsonian Godwits (L. haemastica) are sometimes described as a superspecies. The Black-tailed Godwit is further split into three subspecies on the basis of morphological differences ( L. l. limosa, L. l. islandica and L. l. melanuroides). We studied variation in partial mtDNA control region sequences among Black-tailed and Hudsonian Godwits which showed 5% divergence. Black-tailed and Hudsonian Godwits were thus clearly differentiated and the separate species status for the two taxa is validated. All three subspecies described for the Black-tailed Godwit had unique haplotypes but the genetic distances were small (0.3-0.6%). Despite small genetic differences we could not detect any substantial gene flow between any of the subspecies as haplotypes were private to each subspecies. Thus, genetic variation within Black-tailed Godwits showed a clear geographic structure. We found a high proportion of rare private haplotypes in three fringe populations of the nominate subspecies of the Black-tailed Godwit (L. l. limosa) where godwits breed in low numbers, but no genetic variation at all in a sample from the Netherlands where godwits are abundant. This suggests that Dutch Godwits may have been affected by a founder effect.

  • 10. Navedo, Juan G.
    et al.
    Orizaola, Germán
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Population and Conservation Biology.
    Masero, Jose A.
    Overdijk, Otto
    Sanchez-Guzman, Juan M.
    Long-distance travellers stopover for longer: a case study with spoonbills staying in North Iberia2010In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 151, no 4, p. 915-921Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Long-distance migration is widespread among birds, connecting breeding and wintering areas through a set of stopover localities where individuals refuel and/or rest. The extent of the stopover is critical in determining the migratory strategy of a bird. Here, we examined the relationship between minimum length of stay of PVC-ringed birds in a major stopover site and the remaining flight distance to the overwintering area in the Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea l. leucorodia) during four consecutive autumn migrations. We also analysed the potential effect of timing (arrival date), as well as the role of experience in explaining stopover duration of spoonbills. Overall, birds wintering in Africa, and facing long-distance travel from the stopover site (ca. 3,000 km) stay for longer (2.7 +/- A 0.4 days) than Iberian winterers (1.5 +/- A 0.2 days) that perform a much shorter migration (ca. 800 km). These differences were consistent between years. Stopover duration was not significantly affected by the age of the bird. However, there was a significant reduction as migration advanced. Our results suggest that spoonbills develop different stopover strategies depending on the expected distance to the wintering grounds. Adults, especially long-distance migratory ones, could reduce the potential negative effects of density-dependence processes by avoiding stopover at the end of the migration period. These findings are of significant relevance for understanding differences in migratory behaviour within single populations, especially for declining waterbirds, as well as stress the relevance of preserving stopover localities for the conservation of intraspecific diversity in migratory species.

  • 11. Podmokla, Edyta
    et al.
    Dubiec, Anna
    Drobniak, Szymon M.
    Arct, Aneta
    Gustafsson, Lars
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal ecology.
    Cichon, Mariusz
    Determinants of prevalence and intensity of infection with malaria parasites in the Blue Tit2014In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 155, no 3, p. 721-727Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Parasite species are usually specialists utilising specific host species, but parasite assemblages may differ substantially even between populations of the same species and show seasonal and annual fluctuations. Host characteristics such as individual age and sex may also affect parasite species composition and abundance. Here, we report the occurrence of malaria parasites in the Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) inhabiting Gotland (Sweden) across 5 years. Using PCR-based techniques, we found eight cytochrome b lineages belonging to genus Plasmodium (pTURUD1, pBT7, pSGS1, pSW2, pGRW11) and Haemoproteus (hPARUS1, hPHSIB1, hWW2) with the overall prevalence of 65 %. The Plasmodium infections predominated (prevalence of 49.5 %), whereas Haemoproteus infection rate was much lower (prevalence of 16.5 %). We showed significant differences in infection status between study years and age classes when all parasite lineages were analysed together or the two most common lineages were analysed separately. Overall, older birds showed higher prevalence. A significant interaction between year and genus effect significantly explained variation in infection intensity. This interaction stems from a significant yearly variation of the infection intensity with Plasmodium, while such an effect is not present for Haemoproteus infections. More importantly, the intensity of infection with Haemoproteus was significantly higher than with Plasmodium in 3 out of the 4 study years with data.

  • 12. Segelbacher, Gernot
    et al.
    Wegge, P.
    Sivkov, A.V.
    Höglund, Jacob
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Population and Conservation Biology.
    Kin groups in closely spaced capercaillie leks2007In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 148, no 1, p. 79-84Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    We quantified the genetic structure among 58 capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) from three closely spaced leks in boreal Russia using ten microsatellite loci. We did not find significant structuring with respect to lek membership in an overall analysis. However, all but one individual could be strongly assigned to one of two genetic clusters, which we interpret as reflecting different local lineages or extended family groups. There was evidence for structuring among some clusters within leks, and one smaller lek consisted of nine out of ten males from one cluster, which could reflect kin biasing of lek membership. One cluster was apparently outperforming the other, since nine out of ten juveniles sampled belonged to it.

  • 13.
    Sudyka, Joanna
    et al.
    Jagiellonian Univ, Inst Environm Sci, Ul Gronostajowa 7, PL-30387 Krakow, Poland..
    Arct, Aneta
    Jagiellonian Univ, Inst Environm Sci, Ul Gronostajowa 7, PL-30387 Krakow, Poland..
    Drobniak, Szymon
    Jagiellonian Univ, Inst Environm Sci, Ul Gronostajowa 7, PL-30387 Krakow, Poland..
    Gustafsson, Lars
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal ecology.
    Cichoan, Mariusz
    Jagiellonian Univ, Inst Environm Sci, Ul Gronostajowa 7, PL-30387 Krakow, Poland..
    Longitudinal studies confirm faster telomere erosion in short-lived bird species2016In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 157, no 1, p. 373-375Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Evidence is accumulating that telomeres become shorter with advancing age and possibly explain some of the observed variation in longevity. Cross-sectional analyses have shown that species with shorter lifespans lose more telomeric repeats with age than species with longer lifespans. Using existing data from longitudinal studies performed on several bird species, we confirmed a negative relationship between the rate of telomere shortening and maximum longevity.

  • 14.
    Svensson, Magnus
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Population and Conservation Biology.
    Rintamäki, Pekka T.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Population and Conservation Biology.
    Birkhead, Tim R.
    Griffith, Simon C.
    Lundberg, Arne
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Population and Conservation Biology.
    Impaired hatching success and male-biased embryo mortality in Tree Sparrows2007In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 148, no 1, p. 117-122Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    During the past 30 years, many species of farmland birds have declined dramatically in numbers in Northern Europe, a trend coinciding with a tremendous intensification of agriculture, although the exact causes of these declines remain unclear. One of the worst affected species is the Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus). We studied two Swedish Tree Sparrow populations during the years 1996–2004 and found that in both populations, almost half of all laid eggs remained unhatched. This led us to investigate whether the eggs failed to hatch because of: (1) eggs not being fertilised or (2) embryo mortality. Our analyses showed that all of the eggs investigated contained sufficient number of sperm for fertilisation and that they also had other visible signs indicating that fertilisation had occurred. Hatching failure was instead shown to result from embryo mortality. Using molecular techniques, we were able to determine that embryo mortality is more likely to affect male embryos than females and that the fledgling sex ratio was consequently highly female biased. The cause of this sex-biased embryo mortality remains unknown, but various potential explanations are discussed.

  • 15. Svobodova, Jana
    et al.
    Segelbacher, Gernot
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Population and Conservation Biology.
    Höglund, Jacob
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Population and Conservation Biology.
    Genetic variation in Black Grouse populations with different lekking systems in the Czech Republic2011In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 152, no 1, p. 37-44Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Here, we describe genetic diversity of lekking and non-lekking populations of Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix in the mountains bordering the Czech Republic. In total, 250 individuals from eight lekking and eight non-lekking study sites were genotyped at 11 microsatellite loci. Significant pair-wise F (ST) values between the different regions indicated low dispersal between localities, and birds could be assigned to three main mountain ranges (umava Mts, Krkonoe Mts and Krun, Mts). We found lower genetic diversity at study sites with solitary displaying males compared to sites where birds aggregate at leks. Additionally, genetic diversity was significantly more strongly associated with type of display than with spatial location of the sites. Given that lekking behaviour may be related to population density, we suggest that a shift from lekking to solitary displaying males is an alarming sign for conservationists indicating decreasing effective population sizes and declining populations.

  • 16.
    Votier, Stephen C.
    et al.
    Univ Exeter, Environm & Sustainabil Inst, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9EZ, Cornwall, England..
    Aspinall, Simon
    Bearhop, Stuart
    Univ Exeter, Ctr Ecol & Conservat, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9EZ, Cornwall, England..
    Bilton, David
    Univ Plymouth, Marine Biol & Ecol Res Ctr, Plymouth, Devon, England..
    Newton, Jason
    SUERC, NERC Life Sci Mass Spec Facil, Rankine Ave, Glasgow SUERC, Lanark, Scotland..
    Alström, Per
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal ecology.
    Leader, Paul
    Asia Ecol Consultants Ltd, 127 Commercial Ctr, Palm Springs, Hong Kong, Peoples R China..
    Carey, Geoff
    Asia Ecol Consultants Ltd, 127 Commercial Ctr, Palm Springs, Hong Kong, Peoples R China..
    Furnes, Robert W.
    Univ Glasgow, Coll Med Vet & Life Sci, Graham Kerr Bldg, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Lanark, Scotland..
    Olsson, Urban
    Univ Gothenburg, Dept Biol & Environm Sci, Box 463, S-40530 Gothenburg, Sweden..
    Stable isotopes and mtDNA reveal niche segregation but no evidence of intergradation along a habitat gradient in the Lesser Whitethroat complex (Sylvia curruca; Passeriformes; Aves)2016In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 157, no 4, p. 1017-1027Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Niche segregation plays a critical role in the speciation process, but determining the extent to which taxa are geographically or ecologically isolated is challenging. In this study, we use stable isotopes of carbon (delta C-13), nitrogen (delta N-15), hydrogen (delta H-2) and oxygen (delta O-18) to test for ecological differences among taxa in the Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca complex. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) revealed 6 distinct haplotype groups, which conform to at least 5 distinct taxa. Stable isotopes provided insight into geographical and broad-scale ecological differences among haplotypes. The most striking isotope differences were between the populations inhabiting Siberian boreal forest (S. c. blythi) from the one inhabiting semi-desert in Kazakhstan (S. c. halimodendri). It is generally assumed that these two populations form a morphological cline along a gradient from mesic to xeric habitat. Our sample includes a large proportion of morphologically intermediate individuals that appear to represent a hybrid population. However, in all of these, there is strict correspondence between haplotype and isotope signature, suggesting an ecological division on the breeding grounds between all our samples of these two taxa. The lack of ecologically intermediate individuals among our sample of morphologically intermediate ones thus speaks against the existence of a cline. The two taxa blythi and halimodendri emerge as potential models for the study of the early stages of the speciation process. While differences in stable isotopes may be largely influenced by geography, we also demonstrate how, in specific instances (such as the alleged cline reported here), they may be used to evaluate niche segregation between taxa, providing information of importance for determination of species limits.

  • 17. Votier, Stephen C.
    et al.
    Aspinall, Simon
    Bearhop, Stuart
    Bilton, David
    Newton, Jason
    Alström, Per
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal ecology.
    Leader, Paul
    Carey, Geoff
    Furnes, Robert W.
    Olsson, Urban
    Alstrom, P.
    Stable isotopes and mtDNA reveal niche segregation but no evidence of intergradation along a habitat gradient in the Lesser Whitethroat complex (Sylvia curruca; Passeriformes; Aves)2016In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 157, no 4, p. 1017-1027Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Niche segregation plays a critical role in the speciation process, but determining the extent to which taxa are geographically or ecologically isolated is challenging. In this study, we use stable isotopes of carbon (delta C-13), nitrogen (delta N-15), hydrogen (delta H-2) and oxygen (delta O-18) to test for ecological differences among taxa in the Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca complex. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) revealed 6 distinct haplotype groups, which conform to at least 5 distinct taxa. Stable isotopes provided insight into geographical and broad-scale ecological differences among haplotypes. The most striking isotope differences were between the populations inhabiting Siberian boreal forest (S. c. blythi) from the one inhabiting semi-desert in Kazakhstan (S. c. halimodendri). It is generally assumed that these two populations form a morphological cline along a gradient from mesic to xeric habitat. Our sample includes a large proportion of morphologically intermediate individuals that appear to represent a hybrid population. However, in all of these, there is strict correspondence between haplotype and isotope signature, suggesting an ecological division on the breeding grounds between all our samples of these two taxa. The lack of ecologically intermediate individuals among our sample of morphologically intermediate ones thus speaks against the existence of a cline. The two taxa blythi and halimodendri emerge as potential models for the study of the early stages of the speciation process. While differences in stable isotopes may be largely influenced by geography, we also demonstrate how, in specific instances (such as the alleged cline reported here), they may be used to evaluate niche segregation between taxa, providing information of importance for determination of species limits.

  • 18.
    Zhao, Min
    et al.
    Chinese Acad Sci, Inst Zool, Key Lab Zool Systemat & Evolut, Beijing 100101, Peoples R China.;Univ Chinese Acad Sci, Beijing 100049, Peoples R China..
    Alström, Per
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal ecology. Chinese Acad Sci, Inst Zool, Key Lab Zool Systemat & Evolut, Beijing 100101, Peoples R China.Swedish Univ Agr Sci, Swedish Species Informat Ctr, Box 7007, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden..
    Olsson, Urban
    Univ Gothenburg, Dept Biol & Environm Sci, Systemat & Biodivers, Box 463, SE-40530 Gothenburg, Sweden..
    Qu, Yanhua
    Chinese Acad Sci, Inst Zool, Key Lab Zool Systemat & Evolut, Beijing 100101, Peoples R China..
    Lei, Fumin
    Chinese Acad Sci, Inst Zool, Key Lab Zool Systemat & Evolut, Beijing 100101, Peoples R China..
    Phylogenetic position of the Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria2016In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 157, no 3, p. 913-918Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria is usually placed in a monotypic family or subfamily within the superfamily Certhioidea, with assumed close relationships to Certhia (treecreepers), Sitta (nuthatches) and Salpornis (spotted creepers). Previous studies have suggested that Tichodroma is most closely related to Sitta, alternatively to Salpornis. We analysed the relationships of Tichodroma using two mitochondrial and five nuclear loci. The tree based on concatenated sequences strongly supported a sister relationship between Tichodroma and Sitta, as well as between Salpornis and Certhia. However, species tree analysis (MP-EST) was unable to resolve these relationships, and although the concatenation tree remains the best hypothesis, more data are needed to corroborate this.

  • 19.
    Zhao, Min
    et al.
    Chinese Acad Sci, Key Lab Zool Systemat & Evolut, Inst Zool, Beijing 100101, Peoples R China.;Univ Chinese Acad Sci, Beijing 100049, Peoples R China..
    Alström, Per
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal ecology. Chinese Acad Sci, Key Lab Zool Systemat & Evolut, Inst Zool, Beijing 100101, Peoples R China.;Uppsala Univ, Dept Anim Ecol, Evolutionary Biol Ctr, Norbyvagen 18D, S-75236 Uppsala, Sweden.;Swedish Univ Agr Sci, Swedish Species Informat Ctr, Box 7007, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden..
    Olsson, Urban
    Univ Gothenburg, Dept Biol & Environm Sci, Systemat & Biodivers, Box 463, SE-40530 Gothenburg, Sweden..
    Qu, Yanhua
    Chinese Acad Sci, Key Lab Zool Systemat & Evolut, Inst Zool, Beijing 100101, Peoples R China..
    Lei, Fumin
    Chinese Acad Sci, Key Lab Zool Systemat & Evolut, Inst Zool, Beijing 100101, Peoples R China..
    Phylogenetic position of the Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria2017In: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie, ISSN 0021-8375, E-ISSN 1439-0361, Vol. 158, no 2, p. 629-630Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria is usually placed in a monotypic family or subfamily within the superfamily Certhioidea, with assumed close relationships to Certhia (treecreepers), Sitta (nuthatches) and Salpornis (spotted creepers). Previous studies have suggested that Tichodroma is most closely related to Sitta, alternatively to Salpornis. We analysed the relationships of Tichodroma using two mitochondrial and five nuclear loci. The tree based on concatenated sequences strongly supported a sister relationship between Tichodroma and Sitta, as well as between Salpornis and Certhia. However, species tree analysis (MP-EST) was unable to resolve these relationships, and although the concatenation tree remains the best hypothesis, more data are needed to corroborate this.

1 - 19 of 19
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