Genetic diversity and population structure of the Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) among its breeding sites in South Korea: Implication for conservation

Publication date: April 2017 Source:Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, Volume 71 Author(s): Mu-Yeong Lee, In-Ki Kwon, Kisup Lee, Sung Kyoung Choi, Hey Sook Jeon, Ji-Yeon Lee, Kyung-yeon Eo, Hwa-Jung Kim, Jin-Han Kim, Warren E. Johnson, Jeong-Chil Yoo, Junghwa An The endangered Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor has experienced drastic reductions in population size, geographic distribution, and habitat availability throughout East Asia. In the present study, we examined population genetic structure and genetic diversity of Black-faced Spoonbills inhabiting five sites off the west coast of South Korea encompassing a few of its major breeding sites. Ten microsatellite loci and the mitochondrial sequence were used to assess patterns of genetic variation based on 63 individuals. Three ND2 haplotypes were found among 61 individuals; the remaining two were identified as Eurasian Spoonbills, revealing an unexpected hybridization between these two species having different ecological niches in South Korea—the Eurasian Spoonbill overwinters in inland areas, whereas the Black-faced Spoonbill inhabits coastal areas during the summer. Analyses of microsatellite variation revealed no discrete population structure among the five breeding sites but very weak genetic differentiation among geographically distant regions. Assignment tests identified several possible migrants among sites. Our findings suggested that Black-faced Spoonbills from the five breeding sites could be ...
Source: Biochemical Systematics and Ecology - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research