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Multilocus approach reveals an incipient differentiation process in the Stone-curlew, Burhinus oedicnemus around the Mediterranean basin

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Abstract

The Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus, a steppe bird species, is mainly distributed in the Mediterranean and Macaronesian regions, which are considered hotspots of biodiversity with priority for animal and plant species richness conservation. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity of the Stone-curlew in the Mediterranean basin and in the Canary Islands by applying a multilocus approach. We analysed mitochondrial and nuclear markers in order to evaluate the genetic structure and the congruence between morphological subspecies and geographic samples. We found a significant level of genetic differentiation between Mediterranean and Canary Island populations with all markers. Both in the Mediterranean basin and in the Canary Islands, we found a significant level of genetic diversity with nuclear markers only. We identified seven population groups, including insular populations. The four subspecies described for the Western Palaearctic were confirmed with some changes in distribution range. In spite of habitat fragmentation and negative population trend, the Stone-curlew showed a significant level of genetic diversity and gene flow among continental populations. However, islands constitute important reservoirs of genetic diversity and a potential for the evolution of the species.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to all the people who helped us conduct field work. We thank for the Canary Islands: Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres, Á.C. Moreno, R. Barone, and V.R. Cerdeña; Balaearic Islands: L. Parpal, J. Solà, and G. Tavecchia; Italy: A. Barbon, N. d’Apolito, S. Franci, M. Dragonetti, C. Fiesoli, P. Giovacchini, F. Corsi, C. Caccamo, E. Pollonara, M.T. Spena, G. Insacco, D. Pisu, and all staff of the Taro River Regional Park (Parma District); Corsica Island: J.F. Seguin; Greece and Cyprus: C. Barboutis; Tunisia: S. Nouira, R. Ouni; Israel: R. Nathan, N. Aljadeff. We thank also all the students who helped us in the field and the laboratory. We are also grateful to Lorenzo Zane for the support for statistical analyses. We appreciate the improvements in English usage made by Caitlin Stern through the Association of Field Ornithologists’ program of editorial assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Volta 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy

    Alessia Mori, Dimitri Giunchi & Natale E. Baldaccini

  2. Institute for the Study of Ecosystems, CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy

    Alessia Mori & Mariella Baratti

  3. Servicio de Biodiversidad, Gobierno de Canarias, Edf. Servicios Múltiples II, 5ª Planta, 35071, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain

    Felipe Rodríguez-Godoy

  4. Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124, Catania, Italy

    Rosario Grasso

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  1. Alessia Mori
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  5. Natale E. Baldaccini
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Correspondence to Mariella Baratti.

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Mori, A., Giunchi, D., Rodríguez-Godoy, F. et al. Multilocus approach reveals an incipient differentiation process in the Stone-curlew, Burhinus oedicnemus around the Mediterranean basin. Conserv Genet 18, 197–209 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-016-0894-6

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