DOCSLIB.ORG

Genetic Structure of Capercaillie Populations: a Non-Invasive Approach at Multiple Spatial Scales

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Genetic Structure of Capercaillie Populations: a Non-Invasive Approach at Multiple Spatial Scales Genetic structure of capercaillie populations: a non-invasive approach at multiple spatial scales Gernot Segelbacher Fachgebiet Wildbiologie und Wildtiermanagement Genetic structure of capercaillie populations: a non-invasive approach at multiple spatial scales Gernot Segelbacher Vollständiger Abdruck der von der Fakultät Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan für Ernährung, Landnutzung und Umwelt der Technischen Universität München zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades eines Doktors der Naturwissenschaften genehmigten Dissertation. Vorsitzender: Univ.-Prof. Dr.forest. Gerhard Müller-Starck Prüfer der Dissertation: 1. Univ.-Prof. Dr.forest. Dr.rer.silv.habil. Wolfgang Schröder 2. apl.Prof. Dr.agr. Dr.agr.habil. Oswald Rottmann Die Dissertation wurde am 29.01.2002 bei der Technischen Universität München eingereicht und durch die Fakultät Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan für Ernährung, Landnutzung und Umwelt am 25.04.2002 angenommen. Sebastién Sachot We only preserve what we love, we only love what we understand, we only understand what we study. Tibetan Saying Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results. I know several thousand things that don´t work. Thomas A. Edison Table of Contents 0 Preface…………………………………………………………………. 1 1 Introduction…………………………………………………………… 4 2 General Methods……………………………………………………... 7 3 Analytical advances…………………………………………………. 13 3.1 Characterisation of microsatellites………………….……………... 13 3.2 Bird faeces for genetic analysis……………………………….…… 16 3.3 Non-invasive sampling: testing reliability…………………..……… 21 4 Population genetics of capercaillie……………………………….. 26 4.1 Genetic diversity across Europe………………….……………….. 26 4.2 Metapopulation structure in the Alps…….…………………….….. 38 4.3 Source-sink populations…….……………..……………………….. 55 5 Conclusions…………………………………………………………… 68 6 Summary………………………………………………………………. 72 7 References…………………………………………………………….. 77 8 Acknowledgements………………………………………….………. 89 9 Appendix……………………………………………………………….. 91 0 Prefac e 0 Preface The general framework of this thesis is given by the introduction (chapter 1). General methods are described in chapter 2. I subdivide this thesis into six papers, which address different aspects of analytical advances with non-invasive genetic sampling in birds (chapter 3) and population genetics of capercaillie (chapter 4). In chapter 3.1 I describe the development of microsatellites for capercaillie and their use for this study. Thereafter, I describe the methodology of using bird faeces samples for genetic studies (chapter 3.2). Subsequently, I stress the reliability of feather samples for population genetic studies (chapter 3.3). This sets the frame for the following papers, treating the genetic variation of capercaillie at multiple spatial scales (chapter 4). In Chapter 4.1 I analyse the genetic diversity of capercaillie across Europe and demonstrate the importance of connectivity among populations. I hypothesise that capercaillie populations in the south-west, i.e. western and central Europe, will reveal a more structured genetic signature than birds from different sites within the contiguous and relatively undisturbed northern parts of the range, i.e. Fennoscandia and Russia. I assume genetic diversity to be lower in the Pyrenees and in small isolated populations in central Europe than in more contiguous populations in the Alps and northern Europe. The following chapter 4.2 deals with the metapopulation structure in the Alps. I analyse the spatial pattern of genetic variation in the Alps, testing the metapopulation hypothesis for those populations. I compare the genetic structure of populations along the northern edge of the Alpine distributional range with populations from other parts of the Alps. In the final chapter 4.3 I focus on fine-scale patterns of gene flow and genetic diversity. I attempt to assess how habitat availability might influence genetic population structure and demonstrate source-sink dynamics in a metapopulation framework. For each of these chapters I provide an abstract and introduction, describe methods and present and discuss results. The Conclusion (chapter 5) summarises the major findings of the previous chapters and points out consequences of these findings for capercaillie conservation and management. 1 0 Preface The main chapters of this thesis have been published or submitted for publication to scientific journals with the following authorships and titles: Segelbacher G, Paxton R, Steinbrueck G, Trontelj P, Storch I (2000) Characterisation of microsatellites in capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) (AVES). Molecular Ecology, 9,1934-1935. (Chapter 3.1)1 Segelbacher G, Steinbrück G (2001) Bird faeces for sex identification and microsatellite analysis. Vogelwarte, 41, 139-142. (Chapter 3.2) Segelbacher G (in press) Non-invasive genetic analysis in birds: testing reliability. Molecular Ecology Notes. (Chapter 3.3)1 Segelbacher G, Höglund J, Storch I (submitted manuscript) Variation in genetic diversity across the European range of capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus). (Chapter 4.1) Segelbacher G, Storch I (submitted manuscript) Metapopulation structure of capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) in the Alps. (Chapter 4.2) Segelbacher G, Tomiuk J, Storch I (submitted manuscript) Source and sink populations in Alpine capercaillie: evidence from microsatellites. (Chapter 4.3) 1 Papers are reprinted with the permission of the publisher. © Blackwell Science 2000, 2002 All others © Gernot Segelbacher 2002 2 0 Prefac e Parts of this thesis have also been presented in the following papers: Segelbacher G, Storch I (1999) Genetic markers for studying spatial structure of grouse populations. Grouse News (Newsletter of the IUCN Grouse Specialist Group) 18, 4-8. Segelbacher G, Storch I (1999) Comparison of geographic and genetic distance in grouse (abstract). 2nd International Wildlife Management Congress, Gödöllö, Hungary. Segelbacher G, Storch I (1999) Geographic and genetic distance in European grouse (abstract). 8th International Grouse Symposium, Rovaniemi, Finland. Segelbacher G, Höglund J (2000) Conservation of black grouse – a study using microsatellites. Cahiers d'Ethologie, 20, 411-420. Segelbacher G, Storch I (2000) Welche Möglichkeiten bieten genetische Marker im Naturschutz ? Zusammenhang zwischen geographischer und genetischer Distanz bei Rauhfußhühnern (abstract). 150. Jahrestagung der DO-G in Leipzig. Journal für Ornithologie, 142, 215. Segelbacher G, Storch I (2000) Spatial distribution and genetic differentiation of black grouse populations in the Alps: preliminary results from a study with microsatellite markers. Workshop on the fate of black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) in European moors and heathlands, (abstract). Liège, Belgium. Storch I, Segelbacher G (2000) Genetic correlates of spatial population structure in central European capercaillie Tetrao urogallus and black grouse Tetrao tetrix: a project in progress. Wildlife Biology, 6, 305-310 Segelbacher G, Storch I (2001) Möglichkeiten molekularer Methoden im Naturschutz – am Beispiel des Auerhuhns (abstract). Workshop der LWF. Segelbacher G, Storch I (2001) Spurensuche im Gebirge - was wir mit molekularen Methoden über Rauhfußhühner erfahren (abstract). 134. Jahresversammlung DO-G, Schwyz, Schweiz. Segelbacher G, Storch I (2001) Genetic differentiation of capercaillie in Europe – a non-invasive approach (abstract). 8th Congress of the European Society of Evolutionary Biology, Aarhus, Denmark. Segelbacher G, Storch I (2001) Population genetics of capercaillie and black grouse in the Alps (abstract). Conservation genetics meeting. Lausanne, Switzerland. 3 1 Introduction 1 Introduction The landscape of central Europe is dominated by farmland. Forests are distributed as isolated fragments within a matrix of open land; small woodlots no more than a few hectares in size prevail. Contiguous forests covering several hundred km² are restricted to mountainous regions. These are the areas where most of the remaining capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) populations are found. Capercaillie are coniferous forest obligates. They prefer extensive areas of forest with moderate canopy cover and rich ground vegetation, dominated by ericaceous shrubs such as bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). In their boreal distribution range, capercaillie live in contiguous forest landscapes. In central Europe, however, grouse habitats, and thus populations, are spatially structured at two hierarchical levels of scale: forest-dominated uplands versus farmland-dominated lowlands at the continental scale (i.e. central Europe), and forested mountain slopes versus open habitats at the regional scale (e.g. in the Alps) (Klaus & Bergmann 1994). As a consequence, distribution ranges of grouse are separated by up to 100 and more km at the continental scale (see Klaus & Bergmann 1994), and local populations by up to 10 and more kilometre at the regional scale (I. Storch unpubl. data). From this distribution pattern, metapopulation structure has been hypothesised for central European capercaillie populations (see Rolstadt 1991, Storch 1993, 95, 97). The distribution of capercaillie has always been fragmented in central Europe after the last Ice Age due to the naturally patchy distribution of suitable habitats. However, the degree of fragmentation and the properties of both habitat patches and surrounding matrix have been altered by human land use practices. In general, habitat conditions are assumed to have deteriorated for capercaillie in the course of the 20th century (Storch 2001), and grouse populations may have been shifting towards decreasing
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Keeping Pheasants
    KKKEEEEEEPPPIIINNNGGG PPPHHHEEEAAASSSAAANNNTTTSSS AAASSS AAA HHHOOOBBBBBBYYY Text and photos: Jan Willem Schrijvers Photo above: Siamese Fireback pheasant male(Lophura diardi). ORIGIN AND LIFESTYLE OF THE WILD PHEASANT Pheasants are wild gallinaceous birds all originating in Asia. One exception is the Congo peacock from Africa. (The pheasants also include game fowl and peacocks.) Each species has its own characteristics and life habits. There are species that live in tropical rain forests, but there are species that live in the mountains, on cold plains. This is something to take in account when housing our pheasants (with or without a night coop, with or without heating). Most species live in and around the mountains with a woodland vegetation, where they can find lots of berries, greens and seeds. It is of utmost importance to first consider the habits and living conditions of the species you want to keep. Only with proper housing will these beautiful birds show to their fullest, and reproduce. PHEASANTS IN AVIARIES In the past there were some "pheasant farms" which mainly bred the common pheasant (also known as ring-neck pheasant). The birds on these farms were bred for sport hunting. They were released en masse in the autumn in the fields and other areas to be shot for the sport. Some escaped from the hunters and that is why today we can see wild pheasants roam our fields and woods. These pheasants have also succeeded in reproducing themselves, even though they are not native birds. The birds are also kept for their colourful feathers. Each year I see Prince Carnival walk again with the beautiful feathers of the Reeves's Pheasant at his cocked hat.
    [Show full text]
  • What Type of Turkey Is Best for Small and Backyard Poultry Flocks?
    eXtension What type of turkey is best for small and backyard poultry flocks? articles.extension.org/pages/65434/what-type-of-turkey-is-best-for-small-and-backyard-poultry-flocks Written by: Dr. Jacquie Jacob, University of Kentucky Technically, only one breed of turkey exists, but many varieties of turkey are available. If you are interested in raising turkeys, it is important to choose a variety that meets your particular needs. An important distinction to understand is the difference between a commercial-type variety and a heritage variety. Commercial-type varieties have been bred specifically for commercial producers to address consumer preferences and production efficiency. Heritage varieties retain the characteristics of turkey varieties bred long ago in Europe and the early United States. Commercial Varieties Turkeys are used primarily for meat production. Most U.S. consumers prefer the breast meat, or white meat, of a turkey. To accommodate this preference, producers have carried out generations of genetic selection that have resulted in broad-breasted turkey varieties. These commercial-type varieties also have rapid growth rates and high feed efficiency. Many small flock owners raise commercial-type turkeys because of their high breast meat yield, fast growth, and high feed efficiency. The most popular varieties for small flock production are the commercial varieties Broad-Breasted Bronze (also called Bronze) and Broad-Breasted White (also called Large White). The Broad-Breasted Bronze has plumage resembling that of a wild turkey, and the Broad-Breasted White has been selected for white feathering and fast growth. Although both types are good for small flock production, a disadvantage of the Broad-Breasted Bronze is that dark pin feathers sometimes remain on the meat after processing.
    [Show full text]
  • Wild Turkey Education Guide
    Table of Contents Section 1: Eastern Wild Turkey Ecology 1. Eastern Wild Turkey Quick Facts………………………………………………...pg 2 2. Eastern Wild Turkey Fact Sheet………………………………………………….pg 4 3. Wild Turkey Lifecycle……………………………………………………………..pg 8 4. Eastern Wild Turkey Adaptations ………………………………………………pg 9 Section 2: Eastern Wild Turkey Management 1. Wild Turkey Management Timeline…………………….……………………….pg 18 2. History of Wild Turkey Management …………………...…..…………………..pg 19 3. Modern Wild Turkey Management in Maryland………...……………………..pg 22 4. Managing Wild Turkeys Today ……………………………………………….....pg 25 Section 3: Activity Lesson Plans 1. Activity: Growing Up WILD: Tasty Turkeys (Grades K-2)……………..….…..pg 33 2. Activity: Calling All Turkeys (Grades K-5)………………………………..…….pg 37 3. Activity: Fit for a Turkey (Grades 3-5)…………………………………………...pg 40 4. Activity: Project WILD adaptation: Too Many Turkeys (Grades K-5)…..…….pg 43 5. Activity: Project WILD: Quick, Frozen Critters (Grades 5-8).……………….…pg 47 6. Activity: Project WILD: Turkey Trouble (Grades 9-12………………….……....pg 51 7. Activity: Project WILD: Let’s Talk Turkey (Grades 9-12)..……………..………pg 58 Section 4: Additional Activities: 1. Wild Turkey Ecology Word Find………………………………………….…….pg 66 2. Wild Turkey Management Word Find………………………………………….pg 68 3. Turkey Coloring Sheet ..………………………………………………………….pg 70 4. Turkey Coloring Sheet ..………………………………………………………….pg 71 5. Turkey Color-by-Letter……………………………………..…………………….pg 72 6. Five Little Turkeys Song Sheet……. ………………………………………….…pg 73 7. Thankful Turkey…………………..…………………………………………….....pg 74 8. Graph-a-Turkey………………………………….…………………………….…..pg 75 9. Turkey Trouble Maze…………………………………………………………..….pg 76 10. What Animals Made These Tracks………………………………………….……pg 78 11. Drinking Straw Turkey Call Craft……………………………………….….……pg 80 Section 5: Wild Turkey PowerPoint Slide Notes The facilities and services of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources are available to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin or physical or mental disability.
    [Show full text]
  • Spring Has Sprung! in What Should Be One of the Coldest Months of the Year, We Are Having Near Record Highs and Buds Are Starting to Break
    Spring has sprung! In what should be one of the coldest months of the year, we are having near record highs and buds are starting to break. Luckily we have been receiving plenty of moisture in the Pineywoods and from what I can tell from recent browse surveys, we are going into Spring in pretty good shape. In this edition of the Pineywoods Post we will take a look at some of the Pineywoods latest inhabitants, the white winged dove, one of our prettiest plants. a native hibiscus, and get a Eastern Turkey research update from District Leader Gary Calkins. Inside This Edition Page 2 Critter Corner Page 3 Biologist Bio Page 4 Plant Profile Page 6 Outdoor Snapshots Page 7 Research Update If you would like to unsubscribe to this newsletter or if you received this e-mail from someone other than TPWD and would like to subscribe, please send an e-mail indicating such to [email protected] 2 Pineywoods Post Critter Corner Recent Arrivals to the Pineywoods July and August, and biologists are asked to band a certain quota Sean Willis TPWD Wildlife Biologist (Lufkin) for their area. In the past 4 years, District 6 has banded approxi- Doves are one of the most common species of birds found in mately one thousand mourning doves. Bands returned by hunters Texas, and are sought after by more Texas hunters (400,000) than allow us to gain valuable information on migration habits, harvest any other species except deer (600,000). Doves are also one of rates and longevity of the birds.
    [Show full text]
  • Than a Meal: the Turkey in History, Myth
    More Than a Meal Abigail at United Poultry Concerns’ Thanksgiving Party Saturday, November 22, 1997. Photo: Barbara Davidson, The Washington Times, 11/27/97 More Than a Meal The Turkey in History, Myth, Ritual, and Reality Karen Davis, Ph.D. Lantern Books New York A Division of Booklight Inc. Lantern Books One Union Square West, Suite 201 New York, NY 10003 Copyright © Karen Davis, Ph.D. 2001 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of Lantern Books. Printed in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data For Boris, who “almost got to be The real turkey inside of me.” From Boris, by Terry Kleeman and Marie Gleason Anne Shirley, 16-year-old star of “Anne of Green Gables” (RKO-Radio) on Thanksgiving Day, 1934 Photo: Underwood & Underwood, © 1988 Underwood Photo Archives, Ltd., San Francisco Table of Contents 1 Acknowledgments . .9 Introduction: Milton, Doris, and Some “Turkeys” in Recent American History . .11 1. A History of Image Problems: The Turkey as a Mock Figure of Speech and Symbol of Failure . .17 2. The Turkey By Many Other Names: Confusing Nomenclature and Species Identification Surrounding the Native American Bird . .25 3. A True Original Native of America . .33 4. Our Token of Festive Joy . .51 5. Why Do We Hate This Celebrated Bird? . .73 6. Rituals of Spectacular Humiliation: An Attempt to Make a Pathetic Situation Seem Funny . .99 7 8 More Than a Meal 7.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of Food and Feeding Habits of Blue Peafowl, Pavo Cristatus Linnaeus, 1758 in District Kurukshetra, Haryana (India)
    International Journal of Research Studies in Biosciences (IJRSB) Volume 2, Issue 6, July 2014, PP 11-16 ISSN 2349-0357 (Print) & ISSN 2349-0365 (Online) www.arcjournals.org A Study of Food and Feeding Habits of Blue Peafowl, Pavo Cristatus Linnaeus, 1758 in District Kurukshetra, Haryana (India) Girish Chopra, Tarsem Kumar Department of Zoology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra-136119 (INDIA) [email protected] Summary: Present study was conducted to determine the food and feeding habits of blue peafowl in three study sites, namely, Saraswati plantation wildlife sanctuary (SPWS), Bir Sonti Reserve Forest (BSRF), and Jhrouli Kalan village (JKAL). Point count method (Blondel et al., 1981) was followed during periodic fortnightly visits to all the three selected study sites. The peafowls were observed to feed on flowers, fruits, leaves of 11, 8 and 8 plant species respectively. These were sighted to feed on Brassica compestris (flowers, leaves), Trifolium alexandarium (flowers, leaves), Triticum aestivum (flowers, leaves, fruits), Oryza sativa (flowers, leaves, fruits), Chenopodium album (flowers, leaves, fruits), Parthenium histerophoresus (flowers, leaves), Pisum sativum (flowers, leaves, fruits), Cicer arientum (flowers, leaves, fruits), Pyrus pyrifolia (flowers, fruits), Ficus benghalensis (flowers, fruits), Ficus rumphii (flowers, fruits). They were also observed feeding on insects in all three study sites and on remains of the snake bodies at the BSRF and JKAL study site. The findings revealed that the Indian peafowl, on one hand, functions as a predator of agricultural pests but, on the other hand, is itself a pest on agricultural crops. Keywords: Blue peafowl, Food, Feeding Habits, Herbs, Shrubs, Trees. 1. INTRODUCTION Birds are warm-blooded, bipedal, oviparous vertebrates characterized by bony beak, pneumatic bones, feathers and wings.
    [Show full text]
  • Hybridization & Zoogeographic Patterns in Pheasants
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Paul Johnsgard Collection Papers in the Biological Sciences 1983 Hybridization & Zoogeographic Patterns in Pheasants Paul A. Johnsgard University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/johnsgard Part of the Ornithology Commons Johnsgard, Paul A., "Hybridization & Zoogeographic Patterns in Pheasants" (1983). Paul Johnsgard Collection. 17. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/johnsgard/17 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Papers in the Biological Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Paul Johnsgard Collection by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. HYBRIDIZATION & ZOOGEOGRAPHIC PATTERNS IN PHEASANTS PAUL A. JOHNSGARD The purpose of this paper is to infonn members of the W.P.A. of an unusual scientific use of the extent and significance of hybridization among pheasants (tribe Phasianini in the proposed classification of Johnsgard~ 1973). This has occasionally occurred naturally, as for example between such locally sympatric species pairs as the kalij (Lophura leucol11elana) and the silver pheasant (L. nycthelnera), but usually occurs "'accidentally" in captive birds, especially in the absence of conspecific mates. Rarely has it been specifically planned for scientific purposes, such as for obtaining genetic, morphological, or biochemical information on hybrid haemoglobins (Brush. 1967), trans­ ferins (Crozier, 1967), or immunoelectrophoretic comparisons of blood sera (Sato, Ishi and HiraI, 1967). The literature has been summarized by Gray (1958), Delacour (1977), and Rutgers and Norris (1970). Some of these alleged hybrids, especially those not involving other Galliformes, were inadequately doculnented, and in a few cases such as a supposed hybrid between domestic fowl (Gallus gal/us) and the lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) can be discounted.
    [Show full text]
  • Ectoparasites of the Laughing Dove Streptopelia Senegalensis (Linnaeus, 1766) (Aves: Columbidae) in Zaria, Nigeria
    Lundiana 9(1):67-71, 2008 © 2009 Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - UFMG ISSN 1676-6180 Ectoparasites of the Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis (Linnaeus, 1766) (Aves: Columbidae) in Zaria, Nigeria 1Lucas K. Adang, 2Sonnie J. Oniye, 2Augustine U. Ezealor, 3Paul A. Abdu, 4Joseph O. Ajanusi & 1Kennedy P. Yoriyo 1 Department of Biological Sciences, Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected] 2 Department of Biological Sciences, 3 Department of Surgery and Medicine, 4 Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Abstract A survey of ectoparasites of the Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis Linnaeus, 1766) was carried out in Zaria, Nigeria, to determine the prevalence, intensity and mean intensity of infestation. A total of 382 (231 males and 151 females) doves trapped from different locations in Zaria, Nigeria, were examined through plumage brushing. Eighty-eight (23.0%) of the birds were infested by the following six species of ectoparasites: lice – 32 (8.4%) Menopon gallinae Linnaeus, 1758, 37 (9.7%) Columbicola columbae Linnaeus, 1758, and 18(4.7%) Goniodes sp.; flies – 19 (5.0%) Pseudolynchia canariensis Macquart, 1840; ticks – 12 (3.1%) Argas persicus Oken, 1818; and mite: 1 (0.23%) Dermanyssus gallinae (Degeer, 1778). The frequency of single infestations (59 – 15.4%), was higher than that of double (27 – 7.1%) and triple (2 – 0.52%) infestations, though the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The males had a higher prevalence (55 – 23.8%) than the females (33 – 21.9%). However, this difference was also not significant (p > 0.05). Ectoparasites were collected from the birds through out the year, with highest prevalence (60.0%) in November.
    [Show full text]
  • Europe's Huntable Birds a Review of Status and Conservation Priorities
    FACE - EUROPEAN FEDERATIONEurope’s FOR Huntable HUNTING Birds A Review AND CONSERVATIONof Status and Conservation Priorities Europe’s Huntable Birds A Review of Status and Conservation Priorities December 2020 1 European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE) Established in 1977, FACE represents the interests of Europe’s 7 million hunters, as an international non-profit-making non-governmental organisation. Its members are comprised of the national hunters’ associations from 37 European countries including the EU-27. FACE upholds the principle of sustainable use and in this regard its members have a deep interest in the conservation and improvement of the quality of the European environment. See: www.face.eu Reference Sibille S., Griffin, C. and Scallan, D. (2020) Europe’s Huntable Birds: A Review of Status and Conservation Priorities. European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE). https://www.face.eu/ 2 Europe’s Huntable Birds A Review of Status and Conservation Priorities Executive summary Context Non-Annex species show the highest proportion of ‘secure’ status and the lowest of ‘threatened’ status. Taking all wild birds into account, The EU State of Nature report (2020) provides results of the national the situation has deteriorated from the 2008-2012 to the 2013-2018 reporting under the Birds and Habitats directives (2013 to 2018), and a assessments. wider assessment of Europe’s biodiversity. For FACE, the findings are of key importance as they provide a timely health check on the status of In the State of Nature report (2020), ‘agriculture’ is the most frequently huntable birds listed in Annex II of the Birds Directive.
    [Show full text]
  • Turkey, Grouse, Bobwhite & Pheasant Wildlife Chapter Template
    Gallinaceous Birds Order Galliformes Family Phasianidae Gallinaceous birds refer to a group of ground-living birds, like pheasants, turkeys, grouse and quail, that are chicken-like and share certain physical characteristics. They have strong legs and very thick, powerful toes with well developed nails, which are perfect for scratching the ground in search of seeds & grains. They also eat fruits, berries, shoots, leaves, grasses and insects. They have strong seed-craking bills. Males in this group often have elaborate plumage they can raise or spread during breeding season to entice a harem of females. Most males, also known as cockbirds or roosters, do not help with raising the precocial chicks. Females are called hens. These birds usually only fly in short, explosive bursts for short distances (sometimes accom- panied by a racous call) before settling down again. Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo Famous for its role in that all-American of holidays, Thanksgiving, the turkey is our largest game- bird. Adult males, “gobblers” or “toms,” stand up to 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet long. The hens are almost a third shorter and weigh half as much. Like all ground birds that rely little on flight, turkeys are heavy birds – an adult tom may be up to 25 pounds. Compare that to a large great horned owl that may weigh only three pounds! Wild turkeys have long slender necks and bodies with a fleshy, multi-colored head and neck. Their overall plumage is metallic bronze, browns and blacks to help them camouflage in the wild, and their tail feathers are edged in brown instead of the white tips found on domesticated turkeys.
    [Show full text]
  • About Wild Turkeys Wild Turkeys Can Be Found Throughout Maryland and Have a Rich History in the State
    All About Wild Turkeys Wild turkeys can be found throughout Maryland and have a rich history in the state. Worldwide, there are 5 subspecies of wild turkeys. The eastern wild turkey is the only turkey subspecies found in Maryland. Turkeys are generally found in or near forests. They use open areas to feed and use overgrown fields for nesting. Turkeys are omnivores. Adults eat acorns, leaves, buds, seeds, fruits, waste grains, and insects. Young turkeys (poults) mostly rely on protein rich insects. Wild turkeys spend most of the daylight hours on the ground with other turkeys in a flock. They spend night hours in trees to stay out of reach of predators (aka roosting). Turkeys are exceptionally adept at sensing danger. Their color vision is 5 times more acute than human vision, and their hearing is 4 times better. Adult male turkeys are called gobblers. Juvenile males are called jakes. Gobblers average around 18-22 pounds and can have a wingspan of 5 feet. Adult female turkeys are called hens. Juvenile females are called jennies. Adult females average half the size of male turkeys. Hens (Females) • Hens are dull grey-brown in color. • Nationally, 10 to 20% of female wild turkeys grow beards (feathers that protrude from chest). • Hens do not have spurs on their legs. • Hens make soft clucks and yelps, but never gobble. • Hens have brown-tipped breast feathers and cone-shaped scat. Breast feather • Once bred, a female turkey will usually lay 9-12 eggs in a shallow nest. Over 50% of the resulting Photo by: D.
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogeography of the Common Pheasant Phasianus Colchinus
    See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311941340 Phylogeography of the Common Pheasant Phasianus colchinus Article in Ibis · February 2017 DOI: 10.1111/ibi.12455 CITATION READS 1 156 5 authors, including: Nasrin Kayvanfar Mansour Aliabadian Ferdowsi University Of Mashhad Ferdowsi University Of Mashhad 7 PUBLICATIONS 39 CITATIONS 178 PUBLICATIONS 529 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Zheng-Wang Zhang Yang Liu Beijing Normal University Sun Yat-Sen University 143 PUBLICATIONS 827 CITATIONS 53 PUBLICATIONS 286 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Using of microvertebrate remains in reconstruction of late quaternary (Holocene) paleoclimate, Eastern Iran View project Spatial distribution and composition of aliphatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and hopanes in superficial sediments of the coral reefs of the Persian Gulf, Iran View project All content following this page was uploaded by Yang Liu on 05 March 2017. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. All in-text references underlined in blue are added to the original document and are linked to publications on ResearchGate, letting you access and read them immediately. Ibis (2016), doi: 10.1111/ibi.12455 Phylogeography of the Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus NASRIN KAYVANFAR,1 MANSOUR ALIABADIAN,1,2* XIAOJU NIU,3 ZHENGWANG ZHANG3 & YANG LIU4* 1Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University
    [Show full text]