BIRDGENOTEMP · Estimating population parameters in endangered afrotropical birds using temporal genetic samples
6РП — Действия „Мария Кюри“
- Период
- 2004-10-01 → 2006-08-31
- Финансиране от ЕС
- 141 186 €
- Участници
- 1
- Схема
- IIF
Линиите свързват координатора с партньорите.
Накратко на български
Генетичните параметри на застрашени птици в Кения, като Тайта дрозд, се анализират чрез проби от различни периоди. Това помага да се предвиди загубата на генетично разнообразие и да се препоръчат мерки за опазване на местообитанията им.
Кратко обяснение, генерирано от езиков модел по текста на CORDIS. Оригиналът е по-долу.
Резултати накратко
Final Activity Report Summary - BIRDGENOTEMP (Estimating population parameters in endangered afrotropical birds using temporal genetic samples)
This project set out to estimate population genetic parameters of bird populations living in the highly fragmented forests of the Taita Hills, Southeast Kenya, and use predictive analyses to translate the findings into an applied conservation angle. We set out to achieve this through studying the highly endangered and endemic Taita thrush Turdus helleri and common white-starred robin Pogonocichla stellata. We aimed to: (i) estimate effective population size (Ne) and number of migrants (m) using genetic data collected at different periods; (ii) compare the estimates of Ne with the total population size estimates (N); (iii) predict the pattern of loss of genetic variation given the Ne estimates; and (iv) translate these findings and predictions into recommendations for practical conservation action in these habitats. Using traditional FST, we found that the thrush subpopulations were more genetically differentiated than the robin ones, indicating lesser effective dispersal over time. Our data also confirmed the critical status for the Taita thrush with a global population (N) of fewer than 1 000 birds, of which less than 200 constitute active breeders. Our data also predict drastic reductions in genetic variability (heterozygosity) in all populations in 5-10 years at the current Ne indicating the urgent need for implementing conservation actions. In particular, there is a need to improve habitat quality (to increase carrying capacities), replant indigenous trees within the landscape matrix to improve connectedness of subpopulations, and active management where possible to avert local extinction of any remnant subpopulations. The current numbers of migrants (approximately one individual per generation) seems not to be sufficient to forestall the declines in genetic variation associated with small numbers of breeding adults.
Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз
Цел на проекта
Effective population size (Ne) and migration rate (m) govern the viability of fragmented populations and, tus, arekey targets for conservation action. Although they are, arguably, two of the most important demographicparameters, they are notoriously diffic ult to get good estimates of. Thus, better measurement methods arerequired. Novel statistical techniques using multiple genetic samples collected over space and time promise adependable means for estimating both parameters with reasonable accuracy and prec ision, but these methodshave rarely been applied in empirical datasets. We propose to apply them to two populations of birds, one ofthem a threatened endemic, living in the highly fragmented Taita Hills forest, SE Kenya. Genetic data from white-starred rob in Pogonocichla stellata and endemic Taita thrush Turdus hellen have been collected in 1996-1997via discrete mark-recapture sessions. At the start of the proposed study, we endeavour to collect an extra batchof similar genetic data from the same population s as the 1996-1997 dataset. Then, using recently developedmoment and maximum-likelihood methods, we shall use temporal changes in alíele frequencies to estimate bothNe and m and contrast them to independent estimates of population size, N, and dispersal co mputed using thetraditional mark-recapture. Finally, we shall use the estimates of Ne and m to predict loss of genetic variation andoverall population viability under various scenarios, e.g., increasing habitat loss and decreasing patchconnectivity. Such i nformation will help in prioritising conservation and management action directed at rescuingthese threatened habitats and species from further attrition and decline. The applicant shall be directly involvedin all components of this work, viz., fieldwork, D NA sampling, extraction and sequencing, state-of-the-art dataanalyses, and quality control and interpretation.
Оригинален текст от CORDIS (на английски).
Участници
- UNIVERSITEIT ANTWERPEN · ANTWERPENКоординаторБелгия
Връзки
Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз