Portal to the Lesser White-fronted Goose

- by the Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose project

Literature type: Scientific

Journal: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

Volume: 101 , Pages: 303-313.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.05.021

Language: English

Full reference: Ottenburghs, J., Megens, H.-J., Kraus, R.H.S., Madsen, O., van Hooft, P., van Wieren, S.E., Crooijmans, R.P.M.A., Ydenberg, R.C., Groenen, M.A.M. & Prins, H.H.T. 2016. A tree of geese: A phylogenomic perspective on the evolutionary history of True Geese. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 101: 303-313. https://www.dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2016.05.021

Keywords: Consensus, Concatenation, Gene tree, Hybridization, Incomplete lineage sorting, Species tree

Abstract:

Phylogenetic incongruence can be caused by analytical shortcomings or can be the result of biological processes, such as hybridization, incomplete lineage sorting and gene duplication. Differentiation between these causes of incongruence is essential to unravel complex speciation and diversification events. The phylogeny of the True Geese (tribe Anserini, Anatidae, Anseriformes) was, until now, contentious, i.e., the phylogenetic relationships and the timing of divergence between the different goose species could not be fully resolved. We sequenced nineteen goose genomes (representing seventeen species of which three subspecies of the Brent Goose, Branta bernicla) and used an exon-based phylogenomic approach (41,736 exons, representing 5887 genes) to unravel the evolutionary history of this bird group. We thereby provide general guidance on the combination of whole genome evolutionary analyses and analytical tools for such cases where previous attempts to resolve the phylogenetic history of several taxa could not be unravelled. Identical topologies were obtained using either a concatenation (based upon an alignment of 6,630,626 base pairs) or a coalescent-based consensus method. Two major lineages, corresponding to the genera Anser and Branta, were strongly supported. Within the Branta lineage, the White-cheeked Geese form a well-supported sub-lineage that is sister to the Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis). In addition, two main clades of Anser species could be identified, the White Geese and the Grey Geese. The results from the consensus method suggest that the diversification of the genus Anser is heavily influenced by rapid speciation and by hybridization, which may explain the failure of previous studies to resolve the phylogenetic relationships within this genus. The majority of speciation events took place in the late Pliocene and early Pleistocene (between 4 and 2 million years ago), conceivably driven by a global cooling trend that led to the establishment of a circumpolar tundra belt and the emergence of temperate grasslands. Our approach will be a fruitful strategy for resolving many other complex evolutionary histories at the level of genera, species, and subspecies.

Literature type: Report

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.31858.30404

Language: English

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Full reference: Aarvak, T., Øien, I.J. & Shimmings, P. 2016. A critical review of Lesser White-fronted Goose release projects. , NOF-report 2016-6. 218 pp.

Keywords: release project, reintroduction, translocation, illegal, genetic, distribution, population, court case, hybrid, barnacle goose, carrier species

Literature type: General

Language: Swedish (In Swedish)

Full reference: Strid, T. & Wærn, M. 2010. Fågelrapport 2010. [Bird report 2010.], Pp. 45-149 in: SOF 2010. Fågelåret 2009. Halmstad.

Keywords: Occurrence, Sweden, hybrids, Barnacle Goose, Rarity report

Literature type: Scientific

Journal: Zoologischer Anzeiger

Volume: 248 , Pages: 265-271.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2009.10.003

Language: English

Comments: A review of this publication will soon appear here.

Full reference: Nijman, V., Alibadian, M. & Roselaar, C.S. 2009. Wild hybrids of Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus) x Greater White-fronted Goose (A. albifrons) (Aves: Anseriformes) form the European migratory flyway. Zoologischer Anzeiger 248: 265-271. https://www.dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2009.10.003

Keywords: reintroduction

Abstract:

A review of this publication will soon appear here.

Literature type: Scientific

Journal: Conservation Genetics

Volume: 8 , Pages: 197-207.

DOI: 10.1007/s10592-006-9162-5

Language: English

Full reference: Ruokonen, M., Andersson, A.-C. & Tegelström, H. 2007. Using historical captive stocks in conservation. The case of the lesser white-fronted goose. Conservation Genetics 8: 197-207. https://www.dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10592-006-9162-5

Keywords: Hybrid, Captive, Supplementation, Reintroduction, Lesser white-fronted goose, Anser erythropus

Abstract:

Many captive stocks of economically or otherwise valuable species were established before the decline of the wild population. These stocks are potentially valuable sources of genetic variability, but their taxonomic identity and actual value is often uncertain. We studied the genetics of captive stocks of the threatened lesser white-fronted goose Anser erythropus maintained in Sweden and elsewhere in Europe. Analyses of mtDNA and nuclear microsatellite markers revealed that 36% of the individuals had a hybrid ancestry. Because the parental species are closely related it is unlikely that our analyses detected all hybrid individuals in the material. Because no ancestral polymorphism or introgression was observed in samples of wild populations, it is likely that the observed hybridisation has occurred in captivity. As a consequence of founder effect, drift and hybridisation, captive stocks were genetically differentiated from the wild populations of the lesser white-fronted goose. The high level of genetic diversity in the captive stocks is explained at least partially by hybridisation. The present captive stocks of the lesser white-fronted goose are considered unsuitable for further reintroduction, or supplementation: hybridisation has involved three species, the number of hybrids is high, and all the investigated captive stocks are similarly affected. The results highlight the potential shortcomings of using captive-bred individuals in supplementation and reintroduction projects, when the captive stocks have not been pedigreed and bred according to conservation principles.

Literature type: Scientific

Journal: Ornis Svecica

Volume: 17 , Pages: 154-186.

Language: English

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Full reference: Kampe-Persson, H. & Lerner, H. 2007. Occurrence of hybrid geese in Sweden – a conservation problem? Ornis Svecica 17: 154-186.

Keywords: occurence, hybrids

Literature type: Scientific

Journal: Conservation Genetics

Volume: 1 , Pages: 277-283.

DOI: 10.1023/A:1011509922762

Language: English

Full reference: Ruokonen, M., Kvist, L., Tegelström, H., Lumme, J. 2000. Goose hybrids, captive breeding and restocking of the Fennoscandian populations of the Lesser White-fronted goose (Anser erythropus). Conservation Genetics 1: 277-283. https://www.dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1011509922762

Keywords: captive stock, hybrids, mitochondrial DNA, reintroduction

Abstract:

The lesser white-fronted goose (Anser erythropus) is the most threatened of the Palearctic goose species with a declining population trend throughout its distributional range. The current estimate of the Fennoscandian subpopulation size is 30–50 breeding pairs, whereas it still numbered more than 10 000 individuals at the beginning of the last century. Reintroduction and restocking have been carried out in Sweden and Finland using captive lesser white-fronted goose stock with unknown origins. We have carried out a study of the genetic composition of captive-bred stock by sequencing a 221 bp hypervariable fragment of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region from 15 individuals from the Hailuoto farm, Finland. Two out of the three maternal lineages detected in the captive stock are also present in wild populations. The third maternal lineage among the captive lesser white-fronted geese originates from the closely related greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons). None of the investigated wild lesser white-fronted goose individuals carried themtDNA of the greater white-fronted goose. The presence of greater white-fronted goose mtDNA in the lesser white-fronted goose captive stock suggests that hybridization has occurred during captive propagation.

Literature type: General

Journal: Tsitologiya i Genetika

Volume: 27 , Pages: 53-61.

Language: Russian

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Full reference: Steklenev, E.P. 1993. [Remote hybridization of some representatives of Anatidae family. ], Tsitologiya i Genetika: 27, 53-61.

Keywords: hybridization

Literature type: General

Journal: Fåglar i Stockholmstrakten

Volume: 16 , Pages: 16-17.

Language: Swedish (In Swedish)

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Full reference: Kyrk, C. 1987. Hybrid vitkindad gås x fjällgås. [Hybrid Barnacle Goose x Lesser White-fronted Goose.], Fåglar i Stockholmstrakten : 16, 16-17.

Literature type: General

Journal: Limosa

Volume: 40 , Pages: 9-11.

Language: Dutch

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Full reference: Voous, K.H. & Wattel, J. 1967. Waarschijnlijke bastaard Kolgans x Dwerggans uit de natuur. [Probable hybrid between White-fronted Goose x Lesser White-fronted Goose in the wild.], Limosa: 40, 9-11.

Keywords: hybrid, White-fronted Goose, reintroduction, the Netherlands

Number of results: 12