Genetic differentiation among migrant and resident populations of the threatened Asian houbara bustard.

The Asian houbara bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii is a partial migrant of conservation concern found in deserts of central Asia and the Middle East. In the southern part of the species range, resident populations have been greatly fragmented and reduced by sustained human pressure. In the north, birds migrate from breeding grounds between West Kazakhstan and Mongolia to wintering areas in the Middle East and south central Asia. Extensive satellite tracking has shown substantial partitioning in migration routes and wintering grounds, suggesting a longitudinal barrier to present-day gene flow among migrants. In this context, we explored genetic population structure using 17 microsatellite loci and sampling 108 individuals across the range. We identified limited but significant overall differentiation (F(CT) = 0.045), which was overwhelmingly due to the differentiation of resident Arabian populations, particularly the one from Yemen, relative to the central Asian populations. Population structure within the central Asian group was not detectable with the exception of subtle differentiation of West Kazakh birds on the western flyway, relative to eastern populations. We interpret these patterns as evidence of recent common ancestry in Asia, coupled with a longitudinal barrier to present-day gene flow along the migratory divide, which has yet to translate into genetic divergence. These results provide key parameters for a coherent conservation strategy aimed at preserving genetic diversity and migration routes.

Migratory pathways and connectivity in Asian houbara bustards: evidence from 15 years of satellite tracking.

Information on migratory pathways and connectivity is essential to understanding population dynamics and structure of migrant species. Our manuscript uses a unique dataset, the fruit of 103 individual Asian houbara bustards captured on their breeding grounds in Central Asia over 15 years and equipped with satellite transmitters, to provide a better understanding of migratory pathways and connectivity; such information is critical to the implementation of biologically sound conservation measures in migrant species. At the scale of the distribution range we find substantial migratory connectivity, with a clear separation of migration pathways and wintering areas between western and eastern migrants. Within eastern migrants, we also describe a pattern of segregation on the wintering grounds. But at the local level connectivity is weak: birds breeding within the limits of our study areas were often found several hundreds of kilometres apart during winter. Although houbara wintering in Arabia are known to originate from Central Asia, out of all the birds captured and tracked here not one wintered on the Arabian Peninsula. This is very likely the result of decades of unregulated off-take and severe habitat degradation in this area. At a time when conservation measures are being implemented to safeguard the long-term future of this species, this study provides critical data on the spatial structuring of populations.

Medical dilemmas associated with rehabilitating confiscated houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii) after avian pox and paramyxovirus type 1 infection.

Projects to rehabilitate confiscated animals must carefully consider the risks of disease when determining whether to release these animals back into the wild or to incorporate them into captive breeding programs. Avipox and paramyxovirus type 1 (PMV-1) infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality during rehabilitation of confiscated houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii). This paper presents key findings of an intensive health monitoring program (physical condition, hematology, serology, endoscopy, microbiology, and virology) of two flocks of houbara bustards that survived outbreaks of septicemic avipox and PMV-1 respectively. Mortality in each flock from avipox and PMV-1 infections were 47% and 25% respectively, and the clinicopathologic features and management of each outbreak are presented. Avipox and PMV-1 viruses were not isolated from surviving birds monitored monthly for 11 mo after initial infection nor were septicemic or diptheritic avipox and PMV-1 infections detected in the captive breeding collection into which surviving birds were ultimately integrated up to 24 mo later. Adenovirus was isolated from four birds during the study demonstrating that novel disease agents of uncertain pathogenicity may be carried latently and intermittently shed by confiscated birds. This paper demonstrates the risk of importing pathogens with illegally traded houbara bustards and reinforces the need for surveillance programs at rehabilitation centers for these birds. We recommend that confiscated houbara bustards integrated into captive breeding programs be managed separately from captive-bred stock. Other measures should include separate facilities for adult birds and rearing facilities for offspring derived from different stock lines and strict sanitary measures. Additionally, health monitoring of confiscated birds should continue after birds are integrated into captive flocks.