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Analysis of the genetic diversity and structure of the Eastern Marsh Harrier in Japan using mitochondrial DNA

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Abstract

The Eastern Marsh Harrier (Circus spilonotus) is a raptor and inhabitant of East Asia, including Japan, and is classified as endangered (class IB) in Japan. The aim of this study was to reveal the genetic structure of a C. spilonotus population among several breeding sites, and to estimate whether the current population contains sufficient genetic diversity. We sequenced 1142 base pairs of the mitochondrial DNA of Eastern Marsh Harrier among 37 individuals sampled during the breeding season and four individuals sampled during winter. In total, seven variable sites were found in the control region, and we detected nine haplotypes among the 41 individuals. Hachirogata, Akita prefecture in Japan, was found to be the core breeding area for the Eastern Marsh Harrier as all haplotypes were detected there. The results of network and mismatch distribution analyses indicated that the Eastern Marsh Harrier did not experience a genetic bottleneck in the past, rather it experienced a recent population expansion. In addition, comparisons with other raptors revealed a rich genetic diversity in the Eastern Marsh Harrier population in Japan.

Zusammenfassung

Genetische Diversität und Struktur der Mangroveweihe in Japan – eine Analyse anhand von mtDNA

Die Mangroveweihe (Circus spilonotus) ist ein in Ostasien, so auch in Japan, verbreiteter Greifvogel. Aufgrund der geringen Bestandszahlen wird diese Art für Japan als stark gefährdet (endangered, Klasse IB) eingestuft. Unser Ziel war es, die genetische Struktur der Population über verschiedene Brutgebiete aufzudecken und zu einer Schätzung zu gelangen, ob die derzeitige Population ausreichend genetische Diversität aufweist. Wir sequenzierten 1.142 bp eines Teilabschnittes mitochondrialer DNA der Mangroveweihe von 37 zur Brutzeit und weiterer vier während des Winters beprobter Individuen. Insgesamt gab es in der Kontrollregion sieben variable Abschnitte, und wir Konnten bei den 41 Individuen neun Haplotypen ermitteln. Hachirogata erwies sich als das Kernbrutgebiet der Mangroveweihe, da dort alle Haplotypen nachgewiesen wurden. Die Ergebnisse der Network- und Mismatch Distribution-Analysen deuteten an, dass die Mangroveweihe in der Vergangenheit keinen genetischen Flaschenhals passiert hat, dagegen aber eine kürzliche Populationsausdehnung erfolgt ist. Außerdem zeigten Vergleiche mit anderen Greifvogelarten, dass die genetische Diversität der Mangroveweihenpopulation nicht niedrig war.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr. A. Rahman of Iwate University for carefully proofreading the manuscript, and thank M. Onoue for critical reading of the manuscript. The authors also thank the anonymous reviewers for expert criticism and valuable suggestions. This work was supported by a grant-in-aid of the Inui Memorial Trust for Research on Animal Science, Japan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Ueda, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8550, Japan

    Kazuya Nagai, Yusuke Takahashi & Atsuki Azuma

  2. Japan Wildlife Research Centre, Tokyo, Japan

    Shoki Yamazaki

Authors
  1. Kazuya Nagai
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  2. Yusuke Takahashi
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  3. Shoki Yamazaki
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  4. Atsuki Azuma
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Correspondence to Kazuya Nagai.

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Communicated by M. Wink.

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Nagai, K., Takahashi, Y., Yamazaki, S. et al. Analysis of the genetic diversity and structure of the Eastern Marsh Harrier in Japan using mitochondrial DNA. J Ornithol 159, 73–78 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-017-1480-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-017-1480-5

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