Genetic differentiation of the Western capercaillie highlights the importance of South-eastern Europe for understanding the species phylogeography [Elektronski vir]

Western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus L.) is a grouse species of open boreal or high altitude forests of Eurasia. It is endangered throughout most mountain range habitat areas in Europe (Storch 2007). Considered to be an umbrella species, Western capercaillie serves as an indicator of sufficiently preserved structures of old coniferous or mixed forests. Genetic differentiation studies of Western capercaillie in Eurasia (Duriez et al. 2007, Rodríguez-Muñoz et al. 2007, Segelbacher and Piertney 2007, Segelbacher et al. 2003, Liukkonen-Anttila et al. 2004) revealed the existence of two main genetically identifiable lineages: the southern and the boreal lineage. The southern lineage has been discussed as a glacial relict (Duriez et al. 2007, Rodríguez-Muñoz et al. 2007) and has only been described at southern edges of the species distribution range in Europe. We addressed the question of genetic differentiation of Western capercaillie populations across all major habitat areas in the Balkans including Rhodope and Rila Mountains in Bulgaria, Dinaric Mountains (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia) and Southeast Alps in Slovenia. The contact zone between the two lineages and the resulting implications for conservation strategies in this so far under-studied area of distribution had not been determined previously