Abstract
Assessment of genetic diversity and connectivity between regions can inform conservation managers about risk of inbreeding, potential for adaptation and where population boundaries lie. The Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae) is a threatened species in northern Australia, occupying the savannah woodlands of the biogeographically complex monsoon tropics. We present the most comprehensive population genetic analysis of diversity and structure the Gouldian finch using 16 microsatellite markers, mitochondrial control region and 3,389 SNPs from genotyping-by-sequencing. Mitochondrial diversity is compared across three related, co-distributed finches with different conservation threat-statuses. There was no evidence of genetic differentiation across the western part of the range in any of the molecular markers, and haplotype diversity but not richness was lower than a common co-distributed species. Individuals within the panmictic population in the west may be highly dispersive within this wide area, and we urge caution when interpreting anecdotal observations of changes to the distribution and/or flock sizes of Gouldian finch populations as evidence of overall changes to the population size of this species.
Highlights
Robust estimates of population parameters, such as size and connectivity, are of vital importance to effective conservation and wildlife management
In the Gouldian finch, there was no evidence in SNP and microsatellite markers for differences in genetic diversity between populations, but the population at Bradshaw had higher mitochondrial richness and diversity than the other populations
This pattern in allelic richness may represent a gradient of genetic diversity between range core (Bradshaw) and toward the range edge populations (See Fig 1 observations from Atlas of Living Australia) [20,66]
Summary
Robust estimates of population parameters, such as size and connectivity, are of vital importance to effective conservation and wildlife management. First identified as Threatened by IUCN Red List in 1988, the Gouldian finch was recently down-listed to Near Threatened by the IUCN, based on population data compiled from largely ad hoc observations [7] Many of these observations come from resident or bird watcher observations that report large flocks (400 and >1000) in geographically distant locations [7]. In a banded population of Gouldian finches studied at Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s Mornington Sanctuary, in the Kimberley, Western Australia, the maximum distance between re-sightings and recaptures was 20 km [14], and radio-tracking suggests birds can move within a 3 km radius within a day [8]. We used mitochondrial control region sequences, sixteen microsatellite markers, and 3,839 SNP loci to infer levels of genetic diversity and differentiation across the Gouldian finch range From these data, we ask whether locations that are reliable for catching and sighting Gouldian finches should be considered separate management units. We explore these results in the context of diversity in a co-distributedAustralian finch, and the consequences of our results for conservation of the Gouldian finch
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
