Evolution in aviculture: genetic diversity and divergence head-colour morph frequencies in the domesticated Gouldian finch

Published: 28 August 2020| Version 3 | DOI: 10.17632/h87crtj49c.3
Contributors:
Peri Bolton,

Description

ABSTRACT: Aviculturists are enthusiastic to be included in conservation efforts by providing expertise or genetic stock to support captive-breeding or reintroduction programs, but little work has explored these possibilities. Bringing organisms into captivity can have rapid and profound effects on behaviour, physiology and population genetic diversity, which can have important consequences for viability of reintroduction and the extrapolation captive experiments to wild counterparts. The Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae) is a popular avicultural species that is endangered in the wild, and potential flagship for such reintroduction efforts. Here we used microsatellite and mitochondrial markers to characterise genetic diversity within and among avicultural populations in the broader population of domesticated Gouldian finches in Australia, and with respect to natural head-colour morphs and artificially selected plumage variation. Domesticated Gouldian finches have 32-48% lower genetic diversity compared to current wild populations, increased inbreeding, and genetic structure among aviculturists. Indeed, regardless of collection size no aviculturist approached the total diversity held among all breeders. Head-colour genotype frequencies were substantially different from the wild, and showed evidence of selection, or non-random mating. Given the previously established relationship between head-colour and functional traits, and possible adaptation to captivity, we suggest caution before introducing domesticated stock into the wild. Indeed, the status quo of relatively closed populations is potentially susceptible to inbreeding depression and further loss of genetic diversity, and we recommend a nationwide genetics-aware approach to any reintroduction programs.

Files

Steps to reproduce

Please also see additionally archived data used in this study. Data from Bolton et al. (2016) was previously archived at Data Dryad (https ://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.vd127), and Bolton et al. (2017) at 10.5061/dryad.2m2r2. The genetic data from these are used in the AnalysisPipeline_V3.Rmd

Institutions

Macquarie University

Categories

Genetics, Evolutionary Biology, Biological Sciences

Licence