Genetic variation in Black Grouse populations with different lekking systems in the Czech Republic

0354465 - ÚBO 2011 RIV DE eng J - Journal Article
Svobodová, Jana - Segelbacher, G. - Höglund, J.
Genetic variation in Black Grouse populations with different lekking systems in the Czech Republic.
Journal of Ornithology. Roč. 152, č. 1 (2011), s. 37-44. ISSN 0021-8375. E-ISSN 1439-0361
R&D Projects: GA ČR GP206/06/P302
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60930519
Keywords : Black Grouse * conservation * lekking * microsatellites
Subject RIV: EG - Zoology
Impact factor: 1.636, year: 2011

Here, we describe genetic diversity of lekking and non-lekking populations of Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix in the mountains bordering the Czech Republic. In total, 250 individuals from eight lekking and eight non-lekking study sites were genotyped at 11 microsatellite loci. Significant pair-wise FST values between the different regions indicated low dispersal between localities, and birds could be assigned to three main mountain ranges (Šumava Mts, Krkonoše Mts and Krušné Mts). We found lower genetic diversity at study sites with solitary displaying males compared to sites where birds aggregate at leks. Additionally, genetic diversity was significantly more strongly associated with type of display than with spatial location of the sites. Given that lekking behaviour may be related to population density, we suggest that a shift from lekking to solitary displaying males is an alarming sign for conservationists indicating decreasing effective population sizes and declining populations.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0193461