DOCSLIB.ORG

Characterization of Red-Legged Partridge (Alectoris Rufa)Sperm: Seasonal Changes and Influence of Genetic Purity

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Characterization of Red-Legged Partridge (Alectoris Rufa)Sperm: Seasonal Changes and Influence of Genetic Purity Characterization of red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa)sperm: Seasonal changes and influence of genetic purity J. Santiago-Moreno,∗1,2 C. Casta˜no,∗ A. Toledano-D´ıaz,∗ M. C. Esteso,∗ A. L´opez-Sebasti´an,∗ N. Ga˜n´an,∗ M. J. Hierro,† F. Marchal,‡ J. L. Campo,§ and E. Blesbois∗∗ ∗Dpto. Reproducci´on Animal, INIA, Spain; †Consejer´ıa Medio Ambiente y Ordenaci´on del Territorio, Junta de Andaluc´ıa, Spain; ‡Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andaluc´ıa, Junta de Andaluc´ıa, Spain; §Dpto. Mejora Gen´etica Animal, INIA, Spain; and ∗∗INRA 0085 UMR PRC INRA-CNRS-University Fran¸cois Rabelais-Haras Nationaux, 37380 Nouzilly, France Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ps/article-abstract/94/1/80/1596569 by guest on 20 March 2019 ABSTRACT The general decline in wild Iberian popu- the hybrids. Reproductive activity in both groups de- lations of the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa)has creased in June, to reach a minimum in August to De- been accompanied by an increase in game-farm facili- cember among the hybrids and in September to De- ties producing hybrids with chukar partridges (Alectoris cember among the pure birds. Spermatogenic activity chukar). Genetic introgression from chukar partridges is resumed in January in both groups. The sperm concen- thought to modify male red-legged partridge reproduc- tration produced by the pure birds was smaller than tive indicators. The aim of the present study was to that of the hybrids (P < 0.001), but the percentage of determine the effects of such genetic introgression on motile sperm was higher in the pure birds (P < 0.001). seasonal reproductive patterns by comparing the sperm The sperm of the hybrids showed greater straight-line and plasma testosterone concentrations of males from velocity (P < 0.05), linearity (P < 0.001), straightness pure red-legged and hybrid red-legged/chukar popula- (P < 0.001), sperm wobble (P < 0.05), and beat-cross tions. Semen was collected twice monthly over a 12-mo frequency values (P < 0.001). The length and area of period using a massage technique. Both types of bird the sperm head were smaller in the pure birds (P < showed a clear seasonal pattern of spermatogenic ac- 0.05). The seasonal plasma testosterone concentration tivity. The proportion of males ejaculating sperm was pattern followed a trend roughly parallel to the ejac- higher (P < 0.05) among the pure red-legged birds. The ulatory response. The present results suggest that ge- greatest sperm production was recorded in March to netic introgression influences the reproductive variables May among the pure birds and April to May among of the red-legged partridge. Key words: breeding activity, introgression, red-legged partridge, sperm morphometry, testosterone 2015 Poultry Science 94:80–87 http://dx.doi.org/10.3382/ps/peu020 INTRODUCTION cilities producing birds for release to maintain hunt- ing quotas. It is estimated that at least 3 to 4 mil- The red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) is a south- lion farm-bred red-legged partridges are released every western European game bird that inhabits farmland year in Spain (Garrido, 2002;S´anchez-Garc´ıa et al., and open stony areas. The greater part of its global 2009), but populations have failed to recover because population is found within Spain, where it breeds nat- these raised birds show reduced antipredator behaviour. urally. Despite its ecological (biodiversity, food chain) Their mortality rate is therefore high. The release of and economic (game resource) importance, wild popu- hybrids produced by crossing the red-legged partridge lations have declined sharply since the 1970s, the con- and the chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar), a Eurasian sequence of changes in agricultural practices and over- species, is threatening the genetic integrity of wild hunting (Blanco-Aguiar et al., 2003; Casas and Vi˜nuela, Spanish birds. Indeed, at least 63% of supposedly red- 2010;D´ıaz-Fern´andez et al., 2012). The general de- legged partridges now raised on game farms, and 30 cline of wild populations in the Iberian Peninsula has to 45% of birds living in the wild, possess chukar par- been accompanied by an increase in game-farm fa- tridge genes (Blanco-Aguiar et al., 2008; Casas et al., 2013). Although the release of hybrid partridges has C 2015 Poultry Science Association Inc. been forbidden under Spanish law, the competitiveness Received June 23, 2014. of markets has led to their continued, illegal, produc- Accepted September 16, 2014. tion. Indeed, A. rufa × A. chukar hybrids are preferred 1This work was funded by INIA grant RZ2012-00013-C02. 2Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected]; Tel: +34 91347 4020; by game breeders because they are less sensitive to Fax: +34 91347 4014 stress, and their productivity is better under captive 80 SPERM PRODUCTION AND QUALITY IN RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGES 81 conditions (longer laying period and heavier body domly selected from the commercial farm; the results weight) (Potts, 1989). The preservation of the wild pop- revealed that 35% of sampled birds showed genetic in- ulation of red-legged partridges is also affected by newly trogression with A. chukar. emerging infectious diseases, the propagation of which All the birds were 2-y-old at the beginning of the ex- is facilitated by hybridization (Vi˜nuela et al., 2013; periment. They were housed in outdoor cages (90 by 82 Ag¨uero et al., 2011). by 60 cm) in groups of three birds under natural pho- It is here hypothesized that hybridization, and the ar- toperiod and temperature conditions at the El Enc´ın tificial selection of productive features under farms con- Research Station (Alcal´a de Henares, Spain, 40o31N]). ditions, might determine variations in sperm produc- Naturally occurring variations in day length at that lati- tion in red-legged partridges and perhaps even modify tude were from 10 h 17 min to 16 h 3 min light/d (winter the morphological and functional characteristics of their to summer solstices), including twilight. All birds were sperm. A. chukar is more promiscuous than A. rufa, fed (ad libitum) a commercial feed containing 16% CP, which is monogamous (Vidal and Colominas, 2007), and 2,700 kcal of ME/kg, 3.5% Ca, and 0.5% available P Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ps/article-abstract/94/1/80/1596569 by guest on 20 March 2019 it is well known that polyandry creates a background over the entire experimental period, which lasted 12 for sexual selection among males both before and after mo. Periodically, they were supplemented with amino copulation (sperm competition) that influences a num- acids and vitamins (Aminolid, Intervet Schering Plough ber of sperm variables (Pizzari et al., 2007;Parkerand Animal Health, Barcelona, Spain) via their water. The Pizzari, 2010; Collet et al., 2012), including the num- birds were weighed using a 1000 g Pesola (Pesola light ber of sperm produced, the percentage of sperm abnor- line, Oryx) precision scale (nearest 10 g) at the start of malities, sperm cell size (Birkhead, 2000, Kleven et al., the experiment. 2009), and swimming velocity variables (Kleven et al., 2009, Santiago-Moreno et al., 2014). Sperm Collection and Assessment In this study, the reproductive indicators of pure red- of Sperm Variables legged and hybrid red-legged/chukar partridges were compared over a period of one year to examine the po- Sperm was collected twice per month using the tential impact on the former species of chukar partridge massage technique of Burrows and Quinn (1937), as genetic introgression. adapted to this species. Two people were required for this. One caught the male and held him firmly over a MATERIALS AND METHODS table, with one hand holding the legs and the other im- mobilizing the body and wings. The other person stim- Animals ulated the bird, simultaneously stroking the back with the right hand and the abdomen with the left hand. The The studied birds were 19 pure red-legged partridges, bird was then “milked” by making the copulatory organ all adult males, from the Lugar Nuevo red-legged par- protrude by mild stimulation and then gripping its base tridge breeding facility (And´ujar, Spain, 38o16N; this with the thumb and index finger of the right hand. Se- facility belongs to the regional government of Andalusia men was recovered by capillarity using a microhaema- and maintains a genetically pure red-legged partridge tocrit tube (GmbH + Co. KG, Wertheim, Germany) population [D´avila, 2009]), and 22 adult male red- and immediately diluted 1:1 (v:v) at ambient tem- legged partridges showing genetic introgression from perature using a medium-containing sodium glutamate Alectoris chukar. These birds were obtained from a (1.92 g), glucose (0.8 g), magnesium acetate (4H2O; commercial farm (Sequera, Segovia, Spain, 41o22N), 0.08 g), potassium acetate (0.5 g), polyvinylpyrrolidone and genetic introgression by A. chukar is >35%. The (Mr 10,000; 0.3 g) and 100 mL H2O (pH 7.08, osmolal- genetic purity and A. chukar introgression shown by ity 343 mOsm kg−1; hereinafter referred to as Lake and these two populations were tested according to official Ravie medium) (Lake and Ravie, 1984). Diluted semen genetic analysis procedures recommended by the re- was immediately refrigerated at 5oC and transported to gional governments (Andalusian, Castilla y Le´on) (FE- the laboratory. All individual sperm samples were ex- DENCA, 2011). Genetic introgression was tested us- amined within 45 min of collection, and ejaculate vol- ing mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (mtDNA Cyt- ume, sperm concentration, motility, and morphometric b), 7 species-specific nuclear DNA microsatellites for variables were recorded. red-legged partridges (Aru1E45, Aru1E78, Aru1I68, Sperm volume was calculated by measuring the Aru1F138, Aru1V16, Aru1H15, and Aru1F32), and 7 length of the semen column in the microcapillary tube single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in mtDNA.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 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]
  • Growth Patterns in Barbary Partridges Alectoris Barbara Originated from Low- and High Elevations in West Central Morocco
    Avocetta 38: 45-51 (2014) Growth patterns in Barbary partridges Alectoris barbara originated from low- and high elevations in West central Morocco MOHAMED AOURIR1*, ABDELILAH EL ABBASSI2, MOHAMMED ZNARI2 1Departement of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University - PO Box 8106, Agadir, Morocco. 2Laboratory “Biodiversité et dynamique des écosystèmes”, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Cadi Ayyad U- ni versity - PO Box 2390, Marrakech 40 000, Morocco. *Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract – The Barbary partridge, the family Phasianidae, is the main game bird in Morocco and which was reported to be heavier and larger in mountains than in lowlands. In this regard, the purpose of the present study was to investigate posthatching growth of body weight and seven morphometric parameters in Barbary partridges Alectoris barbara originated from low- and high elevations, and raised in common captive environment. Gompertz model presents the best fit to the growth curves for body weight, wing, leg and sternum. Mean body weight at hatching was similar between elevations and was relatively higher, compared to that in other studied perdicine species. Adult Barbary partridges from high and low elevations maintained the difference in body weight when raised in common captive envi- ronment. This suggests a role of genetic selection and / or maternal effects between the two studied populations. However, all the other growth parameters of morphological traits were similar between captive birds originated from the two elevations. This lack of difference could be related to a potential phenotypic plasticity with a convergence in common captive environment. Key-words: Barbary partridge; body weight; growth rate; morphometry; mountains; plain.
    [Show full text]
  • Banding Cytogenetics of the Barbary Partridge Alectoris Barbara and the Chukar Partridge Alectoris Chukar (Phasianidae): a Large
    COMPARATIVE A peer-reviewed open-access journal CompCytogenBanding 12(2): 171–199 cytogenetics (2018) of Alectoris barbara and Alectoris chukar (Phasianidae)... 171 doi: 10.3897/CompCytogen.v12i2.23743 RESEARCH ARTICLE Cytogenetics http://compcytogen.pensoft.net International Journal of Plant & Animal Cytogenetics, Karyosystematics, and Molecular Systematics Banding cytogenetics of the Barbary partridge Alectoris barbara and the Chukar partridge Alectoris chukar (Phasianidae): a large conservation with Domestic fowl Gallus domesticus revealed by high resolution chromosomes Siham Ouchia-Benissad1, Kafia Ladjali-Mohammedi1 1 University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene, Faculty of Biological Sciences, LBCM lab., Team: Genetics of Development. USTHB, PO box 32 El-Alia, Bab-Ezzouar, 16110 Algiers, Algeria Corresponding author: Siham Ouchia-Benissad ([email protected]) Academic editor: S. Galkina | Received 19 January 2018 | Accepted 16 May 2018 | Published 4 June 2018 http://zoobank.org/020C43BA-E325-4B5E-8A17-87358D1B68A5 Citation: Ouchia-Benissad S, Ladjali-Mohammedi K (2018) Banding cytogenetics of the Barbary partridge Alectoris barbara and the Chukar partridge Alectoris chukar (Phasianidae): a large conservation with Domestic fowl Gallus domesticus revealed by high resolution chromosomes. Comparative Cytogenetics 12(2): 171–199. https://doi.org/10.3897/ CompCytogen.v12i2.23743 Abstract The development of avian cytogenetics is significantly behind that of mammals. In fact, since the advent of cytogenetic techniques, fewer than 1500 karyotypes have been established. The Barbary partridge Alec- toris barbara Bonnaterre, 1790 is a bird of economic interest but its genome has not been studied so far. This species is endemic to North Africa and globally declining. The Chukar partridge Alectoris chukar Gray, 1830 is an introduced species which shares the same habitat area as the Barbary partridge and so there could be introgressive hybridisation.
    [Show full text]
  • EUROPEAN BIRDS of CONSERVATION CONCERN Populations, Trends and National Responsibilities
    EUROPEAN BIRDS OF CONSERVATION CONCERN Populations, trends and national responsibilities COMPILED BY ANNA STANEVA AND IAN BURFIELD WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM CONTENTS Introduction 4 86 ITALY References 9 89 KOSOVO ALBANIA 10 92 LATVIA ANDORRA 14 95 LIECHTENSTEIN ARMENIA 16 97 LITHUANIA AUSTRIA 19 100 LUXEMBOURG AZERBAIJAN 22 102 MACEDONIA BELARUS 26 105 MALTA BELGIUM 29 107 MOLDOVA BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 32 110 MONTENEGRO BULGARIA 35 113 NETHERLANDS CROATIA 39 116 NORWAY CYPRUS 42 119 POLAND CZECH REPUBLIC 45 122 PORTUGAL DENMARK 48 125 ROMANIA ESTONIA 51 128 RUSSIA BirdLife Europe and Central Asia is a partnership of 48 national conservation organisations and a leader in bird conservation. Our unique local to global FAROE ISLANDS DENMARK 54 132 SERBIA approach enables us to deliver high impact and long term conservation for the beneit of nature and people. BirdLife Europe and Central Asia is one of FINLAND 56 135 SLOVAKIA the six regional secretariats that compose BirdLife International. Based in Brus- sels, it supports the European and Central Asian Partnership and is present FRANCE 60 138 SLOVENIA in 47 countries including all EU Member States. With more than 4,100 staf in Europe, two million members and tens of thousands of skilled volunteers, GEORGIA 64 141 SPAIN BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, together with its national partners, owns or manages more than 6,000 nature sites totaling 320,000 hectares. GERMANY 67 145 SWEDEN GIBRALTAR UNITED KINGDOM 71 148 SWITZERLAND GREECE 72 151 TURKEY GREENLAND DENMARK 76 155 UKRAINE HUNGARY 78 159 UNITED KINGDOM ICELAND 81 162 European population sizes and trends STICHTING BIRDLIFE EUROPE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION.
    [Show full text]
  • Supplementary Material
    Alectoris barbara (Barbary Partridge) European Red List of Birds Supplementary Material The European Union (EU27) Red List assessments were based principally on the official data reported by EU Member States to the European Commission under Article 12 of the Birds Directive in 2013-14. For the European Red List assessments, similar data were sourced from BirdLife Partners and other collaborating experts in other European countries and territories. For more information, see BirdLife International (2015). Contents Reported national population sizes and trends p. 2 Trend maps of reported national population data p. 3 Sources of reported national population data p. 5 Species factsheet bibliography p. 6 Recommended citation BirdLife International (2015) European Red List of Birds. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities. Further information http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/info/euroredlist http://www.birdlife.org/europe-and-central-asia/european-red-list-birds-0 http://www.iucnredlist.org/initiatives/europe http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/species/redlist/ Data requests and feedback To request access to these data in electronic format, provide new information, correct any errors or provide feedback, please email [email protected]. THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™ BirdLife International (2015) European Red List of Birds Alectoris barbara (Barbary Partridge) Table 1. Reported national breeding population size and trends in Europe1. Country (or Population estimate Short-term population
    [Show full text]
  • Species No. 32: Rock Partridge Alectoris Graeca
    Key concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008 Species no. 32: Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca Distribution: This European endemic partridge inhabits both low-altitude rocky steppes and mountainous open heaths and grasslands. It occurs in the Alps, the central and southern Apennines, Sicily and the Balkan Peninsula. Movements: It is sedentary, but is known to make some local movements between high altitude summer quarters and lower altitude wintering quarters. Population size and trends: The European breeding population numbers 40,000- 78,000 pairs with the largest population in Italy and Greece (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The EU 27 population is estimated at 20,000-38,000 pairs (BirdLife Int. 2004A, 2004B). Although certain populations-notably sizeable ones in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Greece were stable or increased during 1990-2000, the same species continued to decline across most of its European range and underwent a moderate decline (>10%) overall (BirdLife Int. 2004A). The main cause of decline in mountain areas is probably the loss, and change, of prime habitat associated with decreasing rural low-intensity activities. The development of the tourist industry has also led to habitat destruction and, by opening up remote areas, increased disturbance during the breeding season. In Mediterranean regions, the decline seems due to increased human impact, especially poaching and intensive hunting. Biological and behavioural aspects: Breeding: clutch size is 8-14 eggs (6-21, highest numbers perhaps by 2 females); incubation: 24-26 days; fledging period: capable of precocious flight at 7-10 days, independence of young c. 6 decades after hatching. Broods: 1 or 2, clutches sometimes laid a few days apart and second clutch incubated by the male.
    [Show full text]
  • The Canary Islands
    The Canary Islands Naturetrek Tour Report 23 February – 2 March 2019 Canary Bellflower by Jessica Turner Mount Teide by Andrew Bray Euphorbia atropururea by Jessica Turner Barbary Partridge by Andrew Bray Report and images by Jessica Turner and Andrew Bray Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk Tour Report The Canary Islands Tour participants: Andrew Bray and Jessica Turner (leaders) together with 16 Naturetrek clients Summary The Canary Islands may be well-known as a general tourist destination, but they contain a wealth of natural treasures, and we were fortunate to experience many of them. Their isolation has given rise to many endemic species and subspecies, of which the great views of Tenerife Blue Chaffinch in perfect light were a highlight for many. We marvelled over the flora, so different to that of mainland Europe, and enjoyed the various species of lizards, plus the butterflies and other invertebrates we encountered. The day on La Gomera was a delight, not least for the numbers of Cory’s Shearwaters, whales and dolphins, plus the White-faced Storm Petrels we encountered. Lovely weather with plenty of sunshine, comfortable accommodation, good food and great company all made for an excellent week. Day 1 Saturday 23rd February Fly to Tenerife South – La Chafiras – Road to Vilaflor Fifteen tour group members met with Andrew and Jessica at Gatwick’s North Terminal for the 6.50am Easyjet flight to Tenerife South Airport. After a bit of a delay due to fog at Gatwick, we landed on the island at around 12.15pm, meeting up with our last group member, who had arrived on the island the previous day.
    [Show full text]
  • Lack of Genetic Structure of Cypriot Alectoris Chukar (Aves, Galliformes) Populations As Inferred from Mtdna Sequencing Data M. Guerrini, P
    Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 30.1 (2007) 105 Lack of genetic structure of Cypriot Alectoris chukar (Aves, Galliformes) populations as inferred from mtDNA sequencing data M. Guerrini, P. Panayides, P. Hadjigerou, L. Taglioli, F. Dini & F. Barbanera Guerrini, M., Panayides, P., Hadjigerou, P., Taglioli, L., Dini, F. & Barbanera, F., 2007. Lack of genetic structure of Cypriot Alectoris chukar (Aves, Galliformes) populations as inferred from mtDNA sequencing data. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 30.1: 105–114. Abstract Lack of genetic structure of Cypriot Alectoris chukar (Aves, Galliformes) populations as inferred from mtDNA sequencing data.— The Chukar (Alectoris chukar cypriotes) is the most common game bird in Cyprus. Since 1990 the Cypriot Government has established a restocking program with captive–reared birds. However, this program has not been guaranteed by checking the genetic nature of wild and farmed samples, either in the areas controlled by the Cypriot Government or in northern Cyprus. The sequencing of both Cytochrome–b and Control Region of the mitochondrial DNA was carried out for 61 Cypriot representatives and 14 specimens of the same subspecies from Crete and Israel. Only the A. chukar maternal lineage was found. A partitioning of Cypriot specimens among different clades was not reliably supported, whereas robust bootstrap values weighted for an evolutionary divergence between Cypriot and Cretan Chukars. An overall genetic homogeny of the Cypriot populations was disclosed, whatever their status (captive vs. wild stocks) and origin (Government controlled vs. occupied areas) would be, a higher nucleotide diversity of the wild vs. captive representatives notwithstanding. Key words: Chukar, Control Region, Cytochrome–b, Genetic diversity, mtDNA, Partridges.
    [Show full text]
  • Red Data Book of European Vertebrates : a Contribution to Action Theme N° 11 of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy, Final Draft
    Strasbourg, 5 July 2001 T-PVS (2001) 31 [Bern\T-PVS 2001\tpvs31e_2001] English only CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF EUROPEAN WILDLIFE AND NATURAL HABITATS Standing Committee Preliminary European Red List of Vertebrates Draft for comments - Volume 1 - Joint project between the Council of Europe and the European Environment Agency, based on WCMC draft from 1998. Co-ordinated by the European Topic Centre/Nature Conservation – Paris This document will not be distributed at the meeting. Please bring this copy. Ce document ne sera plus distribué en réunion. Prière de vous munir de cet exemplaire. T-PVS (2001) 31 - II - Comments should be sent to: European Topic Centre for Nature Protection and Biodiversity MNHN 57 rue Cuvier 75231 PARIS Cedex, France [email protected] - III - T-PVS (2001) 31 About this draft Red List This document is the result of a joint project between the European Environment Agency and the Council of Europe to develop a preliminary European Red List of Vertebrates. It is based on a first draft by WCMC in 1998. Except for Birds (Birdlife International, 1994), no assessment is yet available on the conservation status of Vertebrate species at European level, while Red Books exist at national level in almost all European countries. On the other hand, a global list of threatened species is published and maintained up-dated by IUCN according to well defined criteria (IUCN, 2000). The present assessment is a first attempt to identify the most threatened Vertebrates species at European level, building upon a first analysis of the list of globally threatened species present in Europe (WCMC, 1998) and taking into account the most recent available overviews on European species distribution provided by the various European atlas committees (European Bird Census Council; Societas Europaea Herpetologica, Societas Europea Mammalogica).
    [Show full text]
  • Alectoris Barbara
    Alectoris barbara -- (Reichenow, 1896) ANIMALIA -- CHORDATA -- AVES -- GALLIFORMES -- PHASIANIDAE Common names: Barbary Partridge; Perdrix gambra European Red List Assessment European Red List Status LC -- Least Concern, (IUCN version 3.1) Assessment Information Year published: 2015 Date assessed: 2015-03-31 Assessor(s): BirdLife International Reviewer(s): Symes, A. Compiler(s): Ashpole, J., Burfield, I., Ieronymidou, C., Pople, R., Wheatley, H. & Wright, L. Assessment Rationale European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) EU27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) At both European and EU27 scales, although this species may have a small range, it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend is not known, but the population is not believed to be decreasing sufficiently rapidly to approach the thresholds under the population trend criterion (30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern within both Europe and the EU27. Occurrence Countries/Territories of Occurrence Introduced: Portugal Native: Italy; Spain; Gibraltar (to UK) Population The European population is estimated at 7,500-20,000 pairs, which equates to 15,000-40,100 mature individuals. The entire population is found in the EU27. For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF. Trend In Europe and the EU27 the population size trend is unknown. For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF. Habitats and Ecology The species is found in predominantly dry, open country with scrubby cover (Tucker and Heath 1994).
    [Show full text]
  • Canary Islands August 30Th to Sept 6Th
    Birdwatching Holidays in Spain, Morocco & more… BOLETAS Birdwatching centre 22192 Loporzano (Huesca) – Spain tel/fax 00 34 974 262027 or 01162 889318 e.mail: [email protected] // www.boletas.org Esther Diago Millán - NIF 38493051K BIRD HIGHLIGHTS TOUR DATES Canary Islands August 30th to Sept 6th Party: John Wheeler , Gill Wheeler, Marck Easterwood, Andrew Bray Tour Leader : Josele J. Saiz Total Number of Species : 68 Weather & Sites: Day 1 – London to Tenerife Day 2 – Sunny – Teide National aprk – Las Lajas – Las Mercedes Natural Park ( Tenerife) Day 3 – Sunny – Ruiz Gorge – Monte del Agua – Punta del Teno ( Tenerife) Day 4 – Cloudy – Barranco Cabras – Las Salinas - Los Molinos – ( Fuerteventura) Day 5 – Sunny & windy – El Jable – Tiscamanita- Catalina Garcia – La Oliva ( Fuerteventura) Day 6 – Sunny – Fuertecventura to Tenerife – Montaña Roja & Punta Rasca ( Tenerife) Day 7 – Sunny – Ferry From Tenerife to LA Gomera .- Garajonay Nationla Park ( La Gomera) Day 8 – Sunny – Flight Home Money for conservation has gone to : SEO-Canarias English & Scientific Names 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweria bulwerii 2 Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 80+ 10+ 3 50+ 3 Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 4 Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 5 Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis baroli 3 6 Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 7 Wilson’s Storm Petrel Oceanodroma castro 8 Gannet Morus bassanus 9 Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 10 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 11 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 3 12 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 2 1 1 2 13 Purple Heron Ardea
    [Show full text]
  • The Status of Huntable Birds in the European Union
    The Status of Huntable Birds in the European Union 2015 Authors: Dr. David Scallan & Cy Griffin (2015) Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU (FACE) Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU (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 35 European countries including the EU-28. 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 2 Executive Summary The State of Nature in the EU (2015) report provides the most complete picture of Europe’s biodiversity to date. For FACE, the findings are of key importance as they provide a timely health check on the status of huntable birds within Annex II of the Birds Directive. Drawing on the results of the Article 12 reporting exercise (2008-2012) under the Birds Directive, this report outlines the status of Annex II bird species, while making comparisons to Annex I and non- Annex species. Comparison is also made to the only other comparable baseline assessment of EU birds, undertaken in 2004 by BirdLife International. The findings illustrate that Annex II birds have the highest proportion of species with a ‘secure’ population status (55%), with the lowest percentage of species having an ‘unknown’ population status (6.4%). For Annex I birds, the situation is broadly similar, although a higher proportion of species hold a ‘threatened’ population status (22.9%), while 47.9% are ‘secure’, with 15.5% ‘unknown’.
    [Show full text]