Fine-scale spatial genetic structure and dispersal among Italian smooth newt populations in a rural landscape.

Amphibians are particularly sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation caused by the intensification and modernization of farming occurring in the second half of the twentieth century in the Mediterranean basin. However, artificial water bodies, associated with traditional husbandry, proved to be important surrogate for amphibian feeding and reproduction. Here, multilocus genotypes were used to investigate the spatial population structure of Lissotriton vulgaris meridionalis and the role of drinking troughs in supporting viable breeding populations within a rural landscape interested by traditional husbandry and agriculture. Our genetic analysis highlighted the conservation value and the potential stepping-stone function of artificial aquatic sites in the dispersal of the species and for the gene flow maintenance. Indeed, populations of drinking troughs show allelic richness and heterozygosity levels comparable to those from natural ponds and there is no great evidence of genetic bottlenecks. A complex system of artificial aquatic sites and few natural wetlands was identified sustaining a well-structured network of demes highly interconnected with themselves and natural aquatic sites. The conservation of the identified genetic clusters may be useful to prevent further population declines and future loss of genetic diversity within the study area characterized by scarce natural wetlands that frequently dried because of agricultural practices and strong seasonality. Site-specific protection measures are needed to contrast the progressive disappearance of drinking troughs observed in the last years in Italy because of the abandonment of traditional farming practices in favour of modern agriculture and intensive farming.

Weather, sex and body condition affect post-fledging migration behaviour of the greater flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus.

BACKGROUND: Understanding which intrinsic and extrinsic factors dictate decision-making processes such as leaving the natal area or not (migratory vs resident strategy), departure time, and non-breeding destination are key-issues in movement ecology. This is particularly relevant for a partially migratory meta-population in which only some individuals migrate. METHODS: We investigated these decision making-processes for 40 juvenile greater flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus fledged in three Mediterranean colonies and equipped with GPS-GSM devices. RESULTS: Contrary to the body size and the dominance hypotheses, juveniles in better body condition were more likely to migrate than those in worse conditions, which opted for a residence strategy. Flamingo probability of departure was not associated with an increase in local wind intensity, but rather with the presence of tailwinds with departure limited to night-time mostly when the wind direction aligned with the migratory destination. Moreover, a positive interaction between tailwind speed and migration distance suggested that juveniles opted for stronger winds when initiating long-distance journeys. In contrast to previous studies, the prevailing seasonal winds were only partially aligned with the migratory destination, suggesting that other factors (e.g., adults experience in mix-aged flocks, availability of suitable foraging areas en route, density-dependence processes) may be responsible for the distribution observed at the end of the first migratory movement. We found potential evidence of sex-biased timing of migration with females departing on average 10 days later and flying ca. 10 km/h faster than males. Female flight speed, but not male one, was positively influenced by tailwinds, a pattern most likely explained by sexual differences in mechanical power requirements for flight (males being ca. 20% larger than females). Furthermore, juveniles considerably reduced their flight speeds after 400 km from departure, highlighting a physiological threshold, potentially linked to mortality risks when performing long-distance non-stop movements. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that not only intrinsic factors such as individual conditions and sex, but also extrinsic factors like weather, play critical roles in triggering migratory behaviour in a partially migratory metapopulation. Furthermore, social factors, including conspecific experience, should be taken into consideration when evaluating the adaptive processes underlying migration phenology, flight performance, and final destination selection.

Cross-Amplification in Strigiformes: A New STR Panel for Forensic Purposes.

Strigiformes are affected by a substantial decline mainly caused by habitat loss and destruction, poaching, and trapping. Moreover, the increasing trend in bird trade and the growing interest in wild-caught rather than captive-bred birds are expected to encourage illegal trade. The biomolecular investigation represents a valuable tool to track illegal trade and to explore the genetic variability to preserving biodiversity. Microsatellite loci (STRs) are the most used markers to study genetic variability. Despite the availability of species-specific microsatellite loci in Strigiformes, a unique panel permitting the description of the genetic variability across species has not been identified yet. We tested 32 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers to evaluate the reliability of a unique microsatellite panel in different species of Strigiformes and its use for conservation and forensic purposes. We included in the study 84 individuals belonging to 28 parental groups and 11 species of Strigiformes. After screening polymorphic microsatellite loci, the description of genetic variability, and the kinship assessment, we characterized a final panel of 12 microsatellite loci able to identify individuals in 9 Strigiformes species. This STR panel might support the authorities in the forensic investigation for suspected smugglers and false parental claims; moreover, it can be useful to evaluate relatedness among individuals in captive-bred populations and to implement research projects finalized to the description of the genetic variability in wild populations.

Exploring the Gut Microbiome Alteration of the European Hare (Lepus europaeus) after Short-Term Diet Modifications.

This study aimed to characterise the gut microbiome composition of European hares (Lepus europaeus) and its potential changes after a short-term diet modification. The high sensitivity of European hare to habitat changes makes this species a good model to analyse possible alterations in gut microbiome after the introduction of additional nourishment into the diet. In total, 20 pairs were chosen for the experiments; 10 pairs formed the control group and were fed with standard fodder. The other 10 pairs represented the experimental group, whose diet was integrated with apples and carrots. The DNA from fresh faecal pellets collected after 4 days from the start of the experiment was extracted and the V3-V4 hypervariable regions were amplified and sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq® platform. The obtained amplicon sequence variants were classified into 735 bacterial genera belonging to 285 families and 36 phyla. The control and the experimental groups appeared to have a homogenous dispersion for the two taxonomic levels analysed with the most abundant phyla represented by Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. No difference between control and experimental samples was detected, suggesting that the short-term variation in food availability did not alter the hares' gut microbiome. Further research is needed to estimate significant time threshold.

Feral pigeon populations: their gene pool and links with local domestic breeds.

Columba livia is a wild bird whose domestication has led to a large number of pigeon breeds. The occasional loss or straying of domestic birds determined the origin of feral pigeons, which are now widespread all around the world. In this study, we assumed that the main contribution to feral populations is provided by domestic breeds reared in the same areas. We tested this hypothesis by analysing the variability of 12 microsatellite loci in nine Italian feral populations sampled in areas with different intensities of breeding and selecting domestic breeds. We included in the analysis samples belonging to ten domestic lineages commonly bred in Italy. The pattern of geographic differentiation of feral populations turned out to be rather complex and only partially explained by the geographic distance between populations. This pattern can be understood only when the domestic breeds were included in the analysis. In particular, feral populations located in regions with a long-lasting tradition of pigeon breeding showed a high level of admixture with domestic breeds, in particular with Racing Homer and Piacentino. Ferals from Bolzano, Venice and Sassari were characterized by unique genetic components, mostly not shared by other feral populations and by the considered domestic breeds. Our results further emphasize the complex genetic structure of feral populations whose origin can be properly investigated by taking into account the pool of domestic pigeons bred in the considered area.

An improved microsatellite panel to assess genetic variability of the Italian smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris meridionalis).

Habitat loss and fragmentation are threatening amphibians by increasing population isolation. However, artificial waterbodies created for livestockmay contrast this phenomenon by providing surrogate habitats for amphibians. Here, we performed a genetic study on an amphibian species, Lissotriton vulgaris meridionalis, in a rural area in central Italy where natural wetlands are disappearing and drinking troughs for cattle watering are widespread. Specifically, we tested a panel of microsatellite markers to identify a suitable tool for addressing conservation genetic issues of this species that is undergoing severe local decline. Twelve of the 20 tested loci produced reliable amplifications and were polymorphic. Three distinct units with a low level of gene flow were distinguished and the population genetic structuring overlapped with geographic distribution. Such loci will be useful to assess the genetic diversity of the species across multiscale levels for its management and conservation.

Wildlife DNA forensics against crime: resolution of a case of tortoise theft.

A paternity test was used to investigate a robbery case involving captive individuals of Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca). Six tortoises were allegedly stolen from a private breeder and offered for sale on the web by the supposed thief. The stolen tortoises were confiscated by the rangers of the State Forestry Corps (CFS). A panel of 14 autosomal microsatellite loci was used to genotype the seized tortoises and ten individuals assumed to be legally owned by the breeder. Kinship analyses reliably reconstructed the tortoise pedigree, demonstrating parent-offspring relationships among the owned and the stolen tortoises. As correctly declared by the breeder, four of the six stolen individuals belonged to the same family group of the ten legally owned tortoises. Results indicate that genetic identification procedures can provide valuable evidence and give useful support against illegal wildlife traffic.