University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Florian Kunz
(2017):
Genetic diversity and structure of Alpine black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) populations.
Master / Diploma Thesis - Institut für Forstentomologie, Forstpathologie und Forstschutz (IFFF),
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 50.
UB BOKU
obvsg
FullText
- Abstract:
- Austrian Alpine black grouse, Tetrao tetrix, populations are among the largest black grouse populations in Central Europe and thus are important for conservation issues in this species. These Alpine black grouse populations are described to be metapopulations and migration barriers further aggravate gene flow. For management programs of the black grouse, knowledge of the genetic structure is crucial. In this master thesis, populations from the eastern (Styria) and western (Tyrol) Austrian Alps were analyzed using nine microsatellite loci. Analysis from faeces, feathers and tissue samples as well as calibration of the data set of Tyrol were successful. Genetic diversity of the two alpine regions did not show much difference. Applying Bayesian clustering and multivariate analyses did not reveal a clear distinction between Styria and Tyrol. Results indicate ongoing gene flow, expressed in a gradient of shared genotypes over the Austrian Alps. Populations overlap genetically, with certain subpopulations being important for population connectivity. This study improves our understanding for conservation measures for Alpine black grouse. Small spatial scale as well as large-scale considerations are important. This study should further encourage Alpine-wide research on this species.
- Beurteilende(r): Stauffer Christian
- 1.Mitwirkender: Nopp-Mayr Ursula
- 2.Mitwirkender: Sittenthaler Marcia