Abstract
Simple SummaryThe European Turtle Dove, Streptopelia turtur, is a widespread Palearctic species. Due to a long-term population decline, it is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. Population genetics studies are important to the management of threatened species. Previous research based on mitochondrial DNA cytochrome-b of European Turtle Doves sampled in Western and Southern Europe showed a lack of genetic structure of this species. The present study aimed to identify the possible genetic divergence in the European Turtle Dove. A total of 258 birds collected from Spain, Ukraine, and Morocco were examined using mitochondrial DNA cytochrome-b and D-loop sequence analysis. The high genetic diversity was evaluated in both loci analysed. Various population genetic analyses displayed genetic differences between Turtle Doves from Morocco and Ukraine, and certain Spanish samples. The results of this study will be vital for effective conservation and sustainable management of this vulnerable species.The European Turtle Dove, Streptopelia turtur, a long-distance migrant wintering in Africa, is a widespread Palearctic species. This species is classified as vulnerable and is undergoing a long-term demographic decline. The results of the previous study (based on mitochondrial (mtDNA) cytochrome-b (cytb) sequences of birds from Western and Southern Europe) indicated that the species was not genetically structured. We analysed the mtDNA cytb and D-loop of 258 birds collected from Morocco, Spain, and Ukraine. High genetic variability, expressed by haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity, was revealed in both cytb (Hd = 0.905 ± 0.009, π = 0.00628 ± 0.00014) and the D-loop (Hd = 0.937 ± 0.009, π = 0.01502 ± 0.00034). SAMOVA and principal coordinates analysis revealed the birds belonged to two genetically distinct groups. One group included birds collected in Spain, while birds sampled in Morocco and Ukraine formed another group. Furthermore, significant genetic differentiation was identified between Turtle Doves from Morocco and Ukraine, and certain Spanish samples. The present results indicate that specific management and conservation plans relevant for the species in various regions should be applied. However, further nuclear DNA research and new studies (particularly in Eastern Europe) are necessary for the decisive results on genetic structure of this species.
Highlights
The European Turtle Dove, Streptopelia turtur, is a widespreadPalearctic species [1,2]
Examination of population genetics in Columbidae species is mainly based on microsatellite markers and maternal mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence analysis
Microsatellite markers have been used to determine the genetic diversity, gene flow, and relationships between different populations or lineages [11,13,29,30], while mtDNA has been applied for the analysis of genetic variability, genetic structure, and phylogeography of different Columbidae species [15,31]
Summary
The European Turtle Dove, Streptopelia turtur (hereafter, Turtle Dove), is a widespreadPalearctic species [1,2]. The European Turtle Dove, Streptopelia turtur (hereafter, Turtle Dove), is a widespread. The European population is estimated at approximately 2.9 to. 5.6 million pairs [3]. It is a long-distance migrant and its post-breeding migration towards 4.0/). Several flyways connecting the breeding grounds in Europe and the wintering areas in Africa have been designated. Turtle Doves breeding in European Russia and Ukraine migrate mainly to Eastern Africa via Turkey and the Middle East [5]. In Europe, the population size is estimated to have decreased by 30–50% over 16 years (three generations) [6]. The nominal subspecies, Streptopelia turtur turtur, is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species
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