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Filippo Barbanera - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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conservation genetics and management of the chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar in cyprus and the Middle east
2011Co-Authors: Panicos Panayides, Monica Guerrini, Filippo BarbaneraAbstract:The chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar (Phasianidae) is a popular game bird whose range extends from the Balkans to eastern Asia. The chukar is threatened by human-mediated hybridization either with congeneric species (Red-Legged A. rufa and Rock A. graeca Partridges) from Europe or exotic conspecifics (from eastern Asia), mainly through introductions. We investigated chukar populations of the Middle East (Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Armenia, Georgia, Iran and Turkmenistan: n = 89 specimens) in order to obtain useful genetic information for the management of this species. We sequenced the entire mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Control Region using Mediterranean (Greece: n = 27) and eastern Asian (China: n = 18) populations as intraspecific outgroups. The Cypriot chukars (wild and farmed birds) showed high diversity and only native genotypes; signatures of both demographic and spatial expansion were found. Our dataset suggests that Cyprus holds the most ancient A. chukar haplotype of the Middle East. We found A. rufa mtDNA lineage in Lebanese chukars as well as A. chukar haplotypes of Chinese origin in Greek and Turkish chukars. Given the very real risk of genetic pollution, we conclude that present management of game species such as the chukar cannot avoid anymore the use of molecular tools. We recommend that chukars must not be translocated from elsewhere to Cyprus.
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Genetic structure of Mediterranean chukar (Alectoris chukar, Galliformes) populations: conservation and management implications
Naturwissenschaften, 2009Co-Authors: Filippo Barbanera, Monica Guerrini, Panicos Panayides, Christos Sokos, Chiara Marchi, P HadjigerouAbstract:The chukar ( Alectoris chukar , Galliformes) is a species hunted throughout its native range from the East Mediterranean to Manchuria and in the USA, which hosts the world’s largest introduced population. This study aims to investigate the genetic structure of Mediterranean chukar populations to aid management decisions. We genotyped 143 specimens at two regions of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA: cytochrome b , control region) and eight loci of the microsatellite DNA. Samples were collected in northern (Limnos, Lesvos, Chios) and southern (Crete) Aegean islands (Greece) and Cyprus. We also carried out mtDNA-based comparison with chukars ( n = 124) from Asia (16 countries) and the USA (five states). We propose six management units for Mediterranean populations. Given their genetic integrity, Limnos and Cyprus, which host different subspecies, proved to be of primary conservation interest. We found exotic A. chukar mtDNA lineages in Lesvos, Chios and Crete and produced definitive genetic evidence for the Asian origin of the US chukars.
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human mediated introgression of exotic chukar Alectoris chukar galliformes genes from east asia into native mediterranean partridges
Biological Invasions, 2009Co-Authors: Filippo Barbanera, Monica Guerrini, Aleem Ahmed Khan, Panicos Panayides, P Hadjigerou, Christos Sokos, Sundev Gombobaatar, Sarah Samadi, Bakht Y Khan, Sergio TofanelliAbstract:Mediterranean red-legged (Alectoris rufa) and rock (Alectoris graeca) partridge populations are affected by genetic pollution. The chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar), a species only partly native to Europe, is the most frequently introgressive taxon detected in the genome of hybrid partridges. Both theoretical (evolutionary) and practical (resources management) matters spur to get insight into the geographic origin of the A. chukar hybridizing swarm. The phenotypic A. rufa populations colonizing the easternmost part of the distribution range of this species, the islands of Elba (Italy) and Corsica (France), were investigated. The analysis of both mitochondrial (mtDNA: Cytochrome-b gene plus Control Region: 2,250 characters) and nuclear (Short Tandem Repeats, STR; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA, RAPD) genomes of 25 wild (Elba) and 20 captive (Corsica) partridges, disclosed spread introgression of chukar origin also in these populations. All mtDNA haplotypes of Elba and Corsica partridges along with those we obtained from other A. rufa (total, n = 111: Italy, Spain, France) and A. graeca (n = 6, Italy), were compared with the mtDNA haplotypes of chukars (n = 205) sampled in 20 countries. It was found that the A. chukar genes detected in red-legged (n = 43) and rock partridges (n = 4) of Spain, France and Italy as well as in either introduced (Italy) or native (Greece, Turkey) chukars (n = 35) were all from East Asia. Hence, a well-defined geographic origin of the exotic chukar genes polluting the genome of native Mediterranean A. rufa and A. graeca (inter-specific level) as well as A. chukar (intra-specific level), was demonstrated.
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Genetic insight into Mediterranean chukar (Alectoris chukar, Galliformes) populations inferred from mitochondrial DNA and RAPD markers
Genetica, 2007Co-Authors: Filippo Barbanera, Monica Guerrini, Panicos Panayides, P Hadjigerou, Christos Sokos, Bakht Y Khan, Peter Wilkinson, Aleem A. Khan, Fabio Cappelli, Fernando DiniAbstract:The chukar ( Alectoris chukar , Galliformes) is one of the most important game birds as it is widely distributed and hunted over the whole of its range. The aim of this work was to assess the genetic differentiation as well as the possible presence of hybrid specimens in A. chukar populations from Italy, Greece and Cyprus. To provide phylogenetic context, conspecific, allopatric specimens from Israel, Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Mongolia, China and USA were compared. Sequencing of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Control Region supplied information on the ancestry of A. chukar populations, whereas Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting was used to assess whether hybridization had occurred. The Italian population was found to be an inter-specific mixture of A. chukar and A. rufa (i.e., the red-legged partridge) mtDNA lineages, whereas the representatives from Greece and Cyprus showed only the A. chukar maternal line. RAPD markers revealed introgression with A. rufa genes in the Italian population, whereas no A. chukar × A. rufa hybrid specimens were detected in the eastern Mediterranean populations. The genetic data obtained from the Italian A. chukar population as well as from a few Greek specimens pointed against their Mediterranean kinship, suggesting relationships with A. chukar subspecies from the easternmost part of the Asian continent.
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lack of genetic structure of cypriot Alectoris chukar aves galliformes populations as inferred from mtdna sequencing data
Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 2007Co-Authors: Monica Guerrini, Panicos Panayides, P Hadjigerou, Luca Taglioli, Fernando Dini, Filippo BarbaneraAbstract:Falta de estructura genetica en las poblaciones chipriotas de Alectoris chukar (Aves, Galliformes), deducida de los datos de secuenciacion del ADNmt.- Una subespecie de la perdiz chucar (Alectoris chukar cypriotes) es el ave de caza mas comun de Chipre. A partir de 1990 el gobierno chipriota establecio un programa de repoblacion utilizando aves criadas en cautividad. No obstante, dicho programa no ha sido avalado mediante la comprobacion de la naturaleza genetica de muestras tanto de ejemplares salvajes como de granja, ni en las zonas controladas por el gobierno chipriota ni en el norte de Chipre. Se ha llevado a cabo la secuenciacion del citocromo-b y de la region de control del ADN mitocondrial de 61 ejemplares chipriotas y de 14 especimenes de la misma subespecie de Creta y de Israel. Solo se encontro el linaje materno de A. chukar. No se pudo demostrar con fiabilidad el reparto de los especimenes chipriotas en distintos clados, mientras que unos valores bootstrap muy consistentes sustentaban una divergencia evolutiva entre las perdices chucar chipriotas y cretenses. Se revelo la existencia de una homogeneidad genetica en las poblaciones chipriotas, cualquiera que fuera su estatus (linajes cautivos frente a salvajes) o su origen (zonas controladas por el gobierno frente a zonas ocupadas), por mas que se diera una mayor diversidad de nucleotidos de los ejemplares salvajes frente a los cautivos.
P Hadjigerou - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Genetic structure of Mediterranean chukar (Alectoris chukar, Galliformes) populations: conservation and management implications
Naturwissenschaften, 2009Co-Authors: Filippo Barbanera, Monica Guerrini, Panicos Panayides, Christos Sokos, Chiara Marchi, P HadjigerouAbstract:The chukar ( Alectoris chukar , Galliformes) is a species hunted throughout its native range from the East Mediterranean to Manchuria and in the USA, which hosts the world’s largest introduced population. This study aims to investigate the genetic structure of Mediterranean chukar populations to aid management decisions. We genotyped 143 specimens at two regions of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA: cytochrome b , control region) and eight loci of the microsatellite DNA. Samples were collected in northern (Limnos, Lesvos, Chios) and southern (Crete) Aegean islands (Greece) and Cyprus. We also carried out mtDNA-based comparison with chukars ( n = 124) from Asia (16 countries) and the USA (five states). We propose six management units for Mediterranean populations. Given their genetic integrity, Limnos and Cyprus, which host different subspecies, proved to be of primary conservation interest. We found exotic A. chukar mtDNA lineages in Lesvos, Chios and Crete and produced definitive genetic evidence for the Asian origin of the US chukars.
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human mediated introgression of exotic chukar Alectoris chukar galliformes genes from east asia into native mediterranean partridges
Biological Invasions, 2009Co-Authors: Filippo Barbanera, Monica Guerrini, Aleem Ahmed Khan, Panicos Panayides, P Hadjigerou, Christos Sokos, Sundev Gombobaatar, Sarah Samadi, Bakht Y Khan, Sergio TofanelliAbstract:Mediterranean red-legged (Alectoris rufa) and rock (Alectoris graeca) partridge populations are affected by genetic pollution. The chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar), a species only partly native to Europe, is the most frequently introgressive taxon detected in the genome of hybrid partridges. Both theoretical (evolutionary) and practical (resources management) matters spur to get insight into the geographic origin of the A. chukar hybridizing swarm. The phenotypic A. rufa populations colonizing the easternmost part of the distribution range of this species, the islands of Elba (Italy) and Corsica (France), were investigated. The analysis of both mitochondrial (mtDNA: Cytochrome-b gene plus Control Region: 2,250 characters) and nuclear (Short Tandem Repeats, STR; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA, RAPD) genomes of 25 wild (Elba) and 20 captive (Corsica) partridges, disclosed spread introgression of chukar origin also in these populations. All mtDNA haplotypes of Elba and Corsica partridges along with those we obtained from other A. rufa (total, n = 111: Italy, Spain, France) and A. graeca (n = 6, Italy), were compared with the mtDNA haplotypes of chukars (n = 205) sampled in 20 countries. It was found that the A. chukar genes detected in red-legged (n = 43) and rock partridges (n = 4) of Spain, France and Italy as well as in either introduced (Italy) or native (Greece, Turkey) chukars (n = 35) were all from East Asia. Hence, a well-defined geographic origin of the exotic chukar genes polluting the genome of native Mediterranean A. rufa and A. graeca (inter-specific level) as well as A. chukar (intra-specific level), was demonstrated.
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Genetic insight into Mediterranean chukar (Alectoris chukar, Galliformes) populations inferred from mitochondrial DNA and RAPD markers
Genetica, 2007Co-Authors: Filippo Barbanera, Monica Guerrini, Panicos Panayides, P Hadjigerou, Christos Sokos, Bakht Y Khan, Peter Wilkinson, Aleem A. Khan, Fabio Cappelli, Fernando DiniAbstract:The chukar ( Alectoris chukar , Galliformes) is one of the most important game birds as it is widely distributed and hunted over the whole of its range. The aim of this work was to assess the genetic differentiation as well as the possible presence of hybrid specimens in A. chukar populations from Italy, Greece and Cyprus. To provide phylogenetic context, conspecific, allopatric specimens from Israel, Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Mongolia, China and USA were compared. Sequencing of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Control Region supplied information on the ancestry of A. chukar populations, whereas Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting was used to assess whether hybridization had occurred. The Italian population was found to be an inter-specific mixture of A. chukar and A. rufa (i.e., the red-legged partridge) mtDNA lineages, whereas the representatives from Greece and Cyprus showed only the A. chukar maternal line. RAPD markers revealed introgression with A. rufa genes in the Italian population, whereas no A. chukar × A. rufa hybrid specimens were detected in the eastern Mediterranean populations. The genetic data obtained from the Italian A. chukar population as well as from a few Greek specimens pointed against their Mediterranean kinship, suggesting relationships with A. chukar subspecies from the easternmost part of the Asian continent.
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lack of genetic structure of cypriot Alectoris chukar aves galliformes populations as inferred from mtdna sequencing data
Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 2007Co-Authors: Monica Guerrini, Panicos Panayides, P Hadjigerou, Luca Taglioli, Fernando Dini, Filippo BarbaneraAbstract:Falta de estructura genetica en las poblaciones chipriotas de Alectoris chukar (Aves, Galliformes), deducida de los datos de secuenciacion del ADNmt.- Una subespecie de la perdiz chucar (Alectoris chukar cypriotes) es el ave de caza mas comun de Chipre. A partir de 1990 el gobierno chipriota establecio un programa de repoblacion utilizando aves criadas en cautividad. No obstante, dicho programa no ha sido avalado mediante la comprobacion de la naturaleza genetica de muestras tanto de ejemplares salvajes como de granja, ni en las zonas controladas por el gobierno chipriota ni en el norte de Chipre. Se ha llevado a cabo la secuenciacion del citocromo-b y de la region de control del ADN mitocondrial de 61 ejemplares chipriotas y de 14 especimenes de la misma subespecie de Creta y de Israel. Solo se encontro el linaje materno de A. chukar. No se pudo demostrar con fiabilidad el reparto de los especimenes chipriotas en distintos clados, mientras que unos valores bootstrap muy consistentes sustentaban una divergencia evolutiva entre las perdices chucar chipriotas y cretenses. Se revelo la existencia de una homogeneidad genetica en las poblaciones chipriotas, cualquiera que fuera su estatus (linajes cautivos frente a salvajes) o su origen (zonas controladas por el gobierno frente a zonas ocupadas), por mas que se diera una mayor diversidad de nucleotidos de los ejemplares salvajes frente a los cautivos.
Monica Guerrini - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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conservation genetics and management of the chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar in cyprus and the Middle east
2011Co-Authors: Panicos Panayides, Monica Guerrini, Filippo BarbaneraAbstract:The chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar (Phasianidae) is a popular game bird whose range extends from the Balkans to eastern Asia. The chukar is threatened by human-mediated hybridization either with congeneric species (Red-Legged A. rufa and Rock A. graeca Partridges) from Europe or exotic conspecifics (from eastern Asia), mainly through introductions. We investigated chukar populations of the Middle East (Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Armenia, Georgia, Iran and Turkmenistan: n = 89 specimens) in order to obtain useful genetic information for the management of this species. We sequenced the entire mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Control Region using Mediterranean (Greece: n = 27) and eastern Asian (China: n = 18) populations as intraspecific outgroups. The Cypriot chukars (wild and farmed birds) showed high diversity and only native genotypes; signatures of both demographic and spatial expansion were found. Our dataset suggests that Cyprus holds the most ancient A. chukar haplotype of the Middle East. We found A. rufa mtDNA lineage in Lebanese chukars as well as A. chukar haplotypes of Chinese origin in Greek and Turkish chukars. Given the very real risk of genetic pollution, we conclude that present management of game species such as the chukar cannot avoid anymore the use of molecular tools. We recommend that chukars must not be translocated from elsewhere to Cyprus.
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Genetic structure of Mediterranean chukar (Alectoris chukar, Galliformes) populations: conservation and management implications
Naturwissenschaften, 2009Co-Authors: Filippo Barbanera, Monica Guerrini, Panicos Panayides, Christos Sokos, Chiara Marchi, P HadjigerouAbstract:The chukar ( Alectoris chukar , Galliformes) is a species hunted throughout its native range from the East Mediterranean to Manchuria and in the USA, which hosts the world’s largest introduced population. This study aims to investigate the genetic structure of Mediterranean chukar populations to aid management decisions. We genotyped 143 specimens at two regions of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA: cytochrome b , control region) and eight loci of the microsatellite DNA. Samples were collected in northern (Limnos, Lesvos, Chios) and southern (Crete) Aegean islands (Greece) and Cyprus. We also carried out mtDNA-based comparison with chukars ( n = 124) from Asia (16 countries) and the USA (five states). We propose six management units for Mediterranean populations. Given their genetic integrity, Limnos and Cyprus, which host different subspecies, proved to be of primary conservation interest. We found exotic A. chukar mtDNA lineages in Lesvos, Chios and Crete and produced definitive genetic evidence for the Asian origin of the US chukars.
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human mediated introgression of exotic chukar Alectoris chukar galliformes genes from east asia into native mediterranean partridges
Biological Invasions, 2009Co-Authors: Filippo Barbanera, Monica Guerrini, Aleem Ahmed Khan, Panicos Panayides, P Hadjigerou, Christos Sokos, Sundev Gombobaatar, Sarah Samadi, Bakht Y Khan, Sergio TofanelliAbstract:Mediterranean red-legged (Alectoris rufa) and rock (Alectoris graeca) partridge populations are affected by genetic pollution. The chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar), a species only partly native to Europe, is the most frequently introgressive taxon detected in the genome of hybrid partridges. Both theoretical (evolutionary) and practical (resources management) matters spur to get insight into the geographic origin of the A. chukar hybridizing swarm. The phenotypic A. rufa populations colonizing the easternmost part of the distribution range of this species, the islands of Elba (Italy) and Corsica (France), were investigated. The analysis of both mitochondrial (mtDNA: Cytochrome-b gene plus Control Region: 2,250 characters) and nuclear (Short Tandem Repeats, STR; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA, RAPD) genomes of 25 wild (Elba) and 20 captive (Corsica) partridges, disclosed spread introgression of chukar origin also in these populations. All mtDNA haplotypes of Elba and Corsica partridges along with those we obtained from other A. rufa (total, n = 111: Italy, Spain, France) and A. graeca (n = 6, Italy), were compared with the mtDNA haplotypes of chukars (n = 205) sampled in 20 countries. It was found that the A. chukar genes detected in red-legged (n = 43) and rock partridges (n = 4) of Spain, France and Italy as well as in either introduced (Italy) or native (Greece, Turkey) chukars (n = 35) were all from East Asia. Hence, a well-defined geographic origin of the exotic chukar genes polluting the genome of native Mediterranean A. rufa and A. graeca (inter-specific level) as well as A. chukar (intra-specific level), was demonstrated.
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Genetic insight into Mediterranean chukar (Alectoris chukar, Galliformes) populations inferred from mitochondrial DNA and RAPD markers
Genetica, 2007Co-Authors: Filippo Barbanera, Monica Guerrini, Panicos Panayides, P Hadjigerou, Christos Sokos, Bakht Y Khan, Peter Wilkinson, Aleem A. Khan, Fabio Cappelli, Fernando DiniAbstract:The chukar ( Alectoris chukar , Galliformes) is one of the most important game birds as it is widely distributed and hunted over the whole of its range. The aim of this work was to assess the genetic differentiation as well as the possible presence of hybrid specimens in A. chukar populations from Italy, Greece and Cyprus. To provide phylogenetic context, conspecific, allopatric specimens from Israel, Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Mongolia, China and USA were compared. Sequencing of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Control Region supplied information on the ancestry of A. chukar populations, whereas Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting was used to assess whether hybridization had occurred. The Italian population was found to be an inter-specific mixture of A. chukar and A. rufa (i.e., the red-legged partridge) mtDNA lineages, whereas the representatives from Greece and Cyprus showed only the A. chukar maternal line. RAPD markers revealed introgression with A. rufa genes in the Italian population, whereas no A. chukar × A. rufa hybrid specimens were detected in the eastern Mediterranean populations. The genetic data obtained from the Italian A. chukar population as well as from a few Greek specimens pointed against their Mediterranean kinship, suggesting relationships with A. chukar subspecies from the easternmost part of the Asian continent.
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lack of genetic structure of cypriot Alectoris chukar aves galliformes populations as inferred from mtdna sequencing data
Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 2007Co-Authors: Monica Guerrini, Panicos Panayides, P Hadjigerou, Luca Taglioli, Fernando Dini, Filippo BarbaneraAbstract:Falta de estructura genetica en las poblaciones chipriotas de Alectoris chukar (Aves, Galliformes), deducida de los datos de secuenciacion del ADNmt.- Una subespecie de la perdiz chucar (Alectoris chukar cypriotes) es el ave de caza mas comun de Chipre. A partir de 1990 el gobierno chipriota establecio un programa de repoblacion utilizando aves criadas en cautividad. No obstante, dicho programa no ha sido avalado mediante la comprobacion de la naturaleza genetica de muestras tanto de ejemplares salvajes como de granja, ni en las zonas controladas por el gobierno chipriota ni en el norte de Chipre. Se ha llevado a cabo la secuenciacion del citocromo-b y de la region de control del ADN mitocondrial de 61 ejemplares chipriotas y de 14 especimenes de la misma subespecie de Creta y de Israel. Solo se encontro el linaje materno de A. chukar. No se pudo demostrar con fiabilidad el reparto de los especimenes chipriotas en distintos clados, mientras que unos valores bootstrap muy consistentes sustentaban una divergencia evolutiva entre las perdices chucar chipriotas y cretenses. Se revelo la existencia de una homogeneidad genetica en las poblaciones chipriotas, cualquiera que fuera su estatus (linajes cautivos frente a salvajes) o su origen (zonas controladas por el gobierno frente a zonas ocupadas), por mas que se diera una mayor diversidad de nucleotidos de los ejemplares salvajes frente a los cautivos.
Panicos Panayides - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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conservation genetics and management of the chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar in cyprus and the Middle east
2011Co-Authors: Panicos Panayides, Monica Guerrini, Filippo BarbaneraAbstract:The chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar (Phasianidae) is a popular game bird whose range extends from the Balkans to eastern Asia. The chukar is threatened by human-mediated hybridization either with congeneric species (Red-Legged A. rufa and Rock A. graeca Partridges) from Europe or exotic conspecifics (from eastern Asia), mainly through introductions. We investigated chukar populations of the Middle East (Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Armenia, Georgia, Iran and Turkmenistan: n = 89 specimens) in order to obtain useful genetic information for the management of this species. We sequenced the entire mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Control Region using Mediterranean (Greece: n = 27) and eastern Asian (China: n = 18) populations as intraspecific outgroups. The Cypriot chukars (wild and farmed birds) showed high diversity and only native genotypes; signatures of both demographic and spatial expansion were found. Our dataset suggests that Cyprus holds the most ancient A. chukar haplotype of the Middle East. We found A. rufa mtDNA lineage in Lebanese chukars as well as A. chukar haplotypes of Chinese origin in Greek and Turkish chukars. Given the very real risk of genetic pollution, we conclude that present management of game species such as the chukar cannot avoid anymore the use of molecular tools. We recommend that chukars must not be translocated from elsewhere to Cyprus.
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Genetic structure of Mediterranean chukar (Alectoris chukar, Galliformes) populations: conservation and management implications
Naturwissenschaften, 2009Co-Authors: Filippo Barbanera, Monica Guerrini, Panicos Panayides, Christos Sokos, Chiara Marchi, P HadjigerouAbstract:The chukar ( Alectoris chukar , Galliformes) is a species hunted throughout its native range from the East Mediterranean to Manchuria and in the USA, which hosts the world’s largest introduced population. This study aims to investigate the genetic structure of Mediterranean chukar populations to aid management decisions. We genotyped 143 specimens at two regions of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA: cytochrome b , control region) and eight loci of the microsatellite DNA. Samples were collected in northern (Limnos, Lesvos, Chios) and southern (Crete) Aegean islands (Greece) and Cyprus. We also carried out mtDNA-based comparison with chukars ( n = 124) from Asia (16 countries) and the USA (five states). We propose six management units for Mediterranean populations. Given their genetic integrity, Limnos and Cyprus, which host different subspecies, proved to be of primary conservation interest. We found exotic A. chukar mtDNA lineages in Lesvos, Chios and Crete and produced definitive genetic evidence for the Asian origin of the US chukars.
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human mediated introgression of exotic chukar Alectoris chukar galliformes genes from east asia into native mediterranean partridges
Biological Invasions, 2009Co-Authors: Filippo Barbanera, Monica Guerrini, Aleem Ahmed Khan, Panicos Panayides, P Hadjigerou, Christos Sokos, Sundev Gombobaatar, Sarah Samadi, Bakht Y Khan, Sergio TofanelliAbstract:Mediterranean red-legged (Alectoris rufa) and rock (Alectoris graeca) partridge populations are affected by genetic pollution. The chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar), a species only partly native to Europe, is the most frequently introgressive taxon detected in the genome of hybrid partridges. Both theoretical (evolutionary) and practical (resources management) matters spur to get insight into the geographic origin of the A. chukar hybridizing swarm. The phenotypic A. rufa populations colonizing the easternmost part of the distribution range of this species, the islands of Elba (Italy) and Corsica (France), were investigated. The analysis of both mitochondrial (mtDNA: Cytochrome-b gene plus Control Region: 2,250 characters) and nuclear (Short Tandem Repeats, STR; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA, RAPD) genomes of 25 wild (Elba) and 20 captive (Corsica) partridges, disclosed spread introgression of chukar origin also in these populations. All mtDNA haplotypes of Elba and Corsica partridges along with those we obtained from other A. rufa (total, n = 111: Italy, Spain, France) and A. graeca (n = 6, Italy), were compared with the mtDNA haplotypes of chukars (n = 205) sampled in 20 countries. It was found that the A. chukar genes detected in red-legged (n = 43) and rock partridges (n = 4) of Spain, France and Italy as well as in either introduced (Italy) or native (Greece, Turkey) chukars (n = 35) were all from East Asia. Hence, a well-defined geographic origin of the exotic chukar genes polluting the genome of native Mediterranean A. rufa and A. graeca (inter-specific level) as well as A. chukar (intra-specific level), was demonstrated.
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Genetic insight into Mediterranean chukar (Alectoris chukar, Galliformes) populations inferred from mitochondrial DNA and RAPD markers
Genetica, 2007Co-Authors: Filippo Barbanera, Monica Guerrini, Panicos Panayides, P Hadjigerou, Christos Sokos, Bakht Y Khan, Peter Wilkinson, Aleem A. Khan, Fabio Cappelli, Fernando DiniAbstract:The chukar ( Alectoris chukar , Galliformes) is one of the most important game birds as it is widely distributed and hunted over the whole of its range. The aim of this work was to assess the genetic differentiation as well as the possible presence of hybrid specimens in A. chukar populations from Italy, Greece and Cyprus. To provide phylogenetic context, conspecific, allopatric specimens from Israel, Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Mongolia, China and USA were compared. Sequencing of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Control Region supplied information on the ancestry of A. chukar populations, whereas Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting was used to assess whether hybridization had occurred. The Italian population was found to be an inter-specific mixture of A. chukar and A. rufa (i.e., the red-legged partridge) mtDNA lineages, whereas the representatives from Greece and Cyprus showed only the A. chukar maternal line. RAPD markers revealed introgression with A. rufa genes in the Italian population, whereas no A. chukar × A. rufa hybrid specimens were detected in the eastern Mediterranean populations. The genetic data obtained from the Italian A. chukar population as well as from a few Greek specimens pointed against their Mediterranean kinship, suggesting relationships with A. chukar subspecies from the easternmost part of the Asian continent.
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lack of genetic structure of cypriot Alectoris chukar aves galliformes populations as inferred from mtdna sequencing data
Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 2007Co-Authors: Monica Guerrini, Panicos Panayides, P Hadjigerou, Luca Taglioli, Fernando Dini, Filippo BarbaneraAbstract:Falta de estructura genetica en las poblaciones chipriotas de Alectoris chukar (Aves, Galliformes), deducida de los datos de secuenciacion del ADNmt.- Una subespecie de la perdiz chucar (Alectoris chukar cypriotes) es el ave de caza mas comun de Chipre. A partir de 1990 el gobierno chipriota establecio un programa de repoblacion utilizando aves criadas en cautividad. No obstante, dicho programa no ha sido avalado mediante la comprobacion de la naturaleza genetica de muestras tanto de ejemplares salvajes como de granja, ni en las zonas controladas por el gobierno chipriota ni en el norte de Chipre. Se ha llevado a cabo la secuenciacion del citocromo-b y de la region de control del ADN mitocondrial de 61 ejemplares chipriotas y de 14 especimenes de la misma subespecie de Creta y de Israel. Solo se encontro el linaje materno de A. chukar. No se pudo demostrar con fiabilidad el reparto de los especimenes chipriotas en distintos clados, mientras que unos valores bootstrap muy consistentes sustentaban una divergencia evolutiva entre las perdices chucar chipriotas y cretenses. Se revelo la existencia de una homogeneidad genetica en las poblaciones chipriotas, cualquiera que fuera su estatus (linajes cautivos frente a salvajes) o su origen (zonas controladas por el gobierno frente a zonas ocupadas), por mas que se diera una mayor diversidad de nucleotidos de los ejemplares salvajes frente a los cautivos.
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Genetic structure of Mediterranean chukar (Alectoris chukar, Galliformes) populations: conservation and management implications
Naturwissenschaften, 2009Co-Authors: Filippo Barbanera, Monica Guerrini, Panicos Panayides, Christos Sokos, Chiara Marchi, P HadjigerouAbstract:The chukar ( Alectoris chukar , Galliformes) is a species hunted throughout its native range from the East Mediterranean to Manchuria and in the USA, which hosts the world’s largest introduced population. This study aims to investigate the genetic structure of Mediterranean chukar populations to aid management decisions. We genotyped 143 specimens at two regions of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA: cytochrome b , control region) and eight loci of the microsatellite DNA. Samples were collected in northern (Limnos, Lesvos, Chios) and southern (Crete) Aegean islands (Greece) and Cyprus. We also carried out mtDNA-based comparison with chukars ( n = 124) from Asia (16 countries) and the USA (five states). We propose six management units for Mediterranean populations. Given their genetic integrity, Limnos and Cyprus, which host different subspecies, proved to be of primary conservation interest. We found exotic A. chukar mtDNA lineages in Lesvos, Chios and Crete and produced definitive genetic evidence for the Asian origin of the US chukars.
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human mediated introgression of exotic chukar Alectoris chukar galliformes genes from east asia into native mediterranean partridges
Biological Invasions, 2009Co-Authors: Filippo Barbanera, Monica Guerrini, Aleem Ahmed Khan, Panicos Panayides, P Hadjigerou, Christos Sokos, Sundev Gombobaatar, Sarah Samadi, Bakht Y Khan, Sergio TofanelliAbstract:Mediterranean red-legged (Alectoris rufa) and rock (Alectoris graeca) partridge populations are affected by genetic pollution. The chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar), a species only partly native to Europe, is the most frequently introgressive taxon detected in the genome of hybrid partridges. Both theoretical (evolutionary) and practical (resources management) matters spur to get insight into the geographic origin of the A. chukar hybridizing swarm. The phenotypic A. rufa populations colonizing the easternmost part of the distribution range of this species, the islands of Elba (Italy) and Corsica (France), were investigated. The analysis of both mitochondrial (mtDNA: Cytochrome-b gene plus Control Region: 2,250 characters) and nuclear (Short Tandem Repeats, STR; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA, RAPD) genomes of 25 wild (Elba) and 20 captive (Corsica) partridges, disclosed spread introgression of chukar origin also in these populations. All mtDNA haplotypes of Elba and Corsica partridges along with those we obtained from other A. rufa (total, n = 111: Italy, Spain, France) and A. graeca (n = 6, Italy), were compared with the mtDNA haplotypes of chukars (n = 205) sampled in 20 countries. It was found that the A. chukar genes detected in red-legged (n = 43) and rock partridges (n = 4) of Spain, France and Italy as well as in either introduced (Italy) or native (Greece, Turkey) chukars (n = 35) were all from East Asia. Hence, a well-defined geographic origin of the exotic chukar genes polluting the genome of native Mediterranean A. rufa and A. graeca (inter-specific level) as well as A. chukar (intra-specific level), was demonstrated.
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Genetic insight into Mediterranean chukar (Alectoris chukar, Galliformes) populations inferred from mitochondrial DNA and RAPD markers
Genetica, 2007Co-Authors: Filippo Barbanera, Monica Guerrini, Panicos Panayides, P Hadjigerou, Christos Sokos, Bakht Y Khan, Peter Wilkinson, Aleem A. Khan, Fabio Cappelli, Fernando DiniAbstract:The chukar ( Alectoris chukar , Galliformes) is one of the most important game birds as it is widely distributed and hunted over the whole of its range. The aim of this work was to assess the genetic differentiation as well as the possible presence of hybrid specimens in A. chukar populations from Italy, Greece and Cyprus. To provide phylogenetic context, conspecific, allopatric specimens from Israel, Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Mongolia, China and USA were compared. Sequencing of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Control Region supplied information on the ancestry of A. chukar populations, whereas Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting was used to assess whether hybridization had occurred. The Italian population was found to be an inter-specific mixture of A. chukar and A. rufa (i.e., the red-legged partridge) mtDNA lineages, whereas the representatives from Greece and Cyprus showed only the A. chukar maternal line. RAPD markers revealed introgression with A. rufa genes in the Italian population, whereas no A. chukar × A. rufa hybrid specimens were detected in the eastern Mediterranean populations. The genetic data obtained from the Italian A. chukar population as well as from a few Greek specimens pointed against their Mediterranean kinship, suggesting relationships with A. chukar subspecies from the easternmost part of the Asian continent.