Abstract
Population size and effective population size are important factors affecting probability of extinction of small, isolated population. Hence, from conservation perspective, it is recommended to monitor changes in population size of endangered species. Genetic methods, based on genetic profiling of non-invasive samples of biological material, despite some limitations, were proved to be efficient method in tracking individuals in the field and estimate populations' parameters. We used this strategy to investigate isolated population of the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) in the Gorce Mountains. In two study periods (2012–2013 and 2017–2018) almost 400 faeces and feathers were collected. Microsatellite genotyping was performed to identify individuals and estimate genetic diversity. We found that population is stable in terms of size and genetic indices, although allelic richness has significantly increased between 2012–2013 and 2017–2018. In the overall study period (2012–2018) there were 52 individuals identified. However, only 10 birds were found in both study periods. This suggests low survival in the population. Moreover, genetic data indicated low effective population size of the capercaillie in the Gorce Mts. Thus, we suggest that monitoring, either genetic and based on field-surveys, should be implemented in the management and protection of this population.
Highlights
The populations of endangered species are usually small and isolated
These results suggest that the capercaillie from the Gorce Mts could have experienced long term demographic bottleneck effect in the second half of 20th century, and recently has undergone increase in population size
We can state that at least 52 individuals have lived in the Gorce Mts between 2012–2018, only 10 of them were identified in both study periods
Summary
The populations of endangered species are usually small and isolated. As an after-effect, they are prone to stochastic demographic events and/or genetic processes, that increase probability of extinction (Frankham 2014). The capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the most endangered woodland bird in Central and Western Europe In this region the species occurs mainly in montane coniferous forests, while majority of lowland populations have disappeared or is threatened with extinction (Storch 2007). The genetic analysis of non-invasive samples collected throughout the Gorce Mts between 2009 and 2013 indicated population size of at least 44 individuals (Rutkowski et al 2017a). These results suggest that the capercaillie from the Gorce Mts could have experienced long term demographic bottleneck effect in the second half of 20th century, and recently has undergone increase in population size. While historic bottleneck effect should be interlinked with colonization of the Carpathians after the last glacial maximum (Rutkowski et al 2016), the recent signals might be connected with fluctuation in population size during 20th century
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