Genetic differentiation of Black grouse in the province of Styria

Black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) is an important indicator species of the alpine treeline ecotone. Although Black grouse populations are assessed to be stable within the Austrian distribution range, decreasing trends can be observed on a local scale. For the province of Styria, range contractions and extinctions of local orrurrences could be documented during the last decades at the southern fringe of distribution. Changes in habitat quality as well as habitat losses yield particularly detrimental effects within small and isolated areas of occurrence. To prevent negative effects of fragmentation and isolation and to derive appropriate management strategies, such situations have to be recognized in time. Genetic analyses proved to be a valuable tool for detecting effects of fragmentation. Based on microsatellite analysis of individual samples of different locations within the study area, genetic variability of the entire population and genetic differentiation between subpopulations will be investigated. The comparison of different sample sites allows the detection of potential isolation effects. In the study, both non-invasive samples (i.e. moulted feathers and intestinal droppings) as well as tissues of hunted individuals are analysed.