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Captive breeding and reintroduction of the lesser kestrel Falco naumanni: a genetic analysis using microsatellites

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Abstract

We used microsatellites to assess ongoing captive breeding and reintroduction programs of the lesser kestrel. The extent of genetic variation within the captive populations analysed did not differ significantly from that reported in wild populations. Thus, the application of widely recommended management practices, such as the registration of crosses between individuals in proper stud books and the introduction of new individuals into the genetic pools, has proven satisfactory to maintain high levels of genetic variation. The high rates of hatching failure occasionally documented in captivity can therefore not be attributed to depressed genetic variation. Even though genetic diversity in reintroduced populations did not differ significantly when compared to wild populations either, average observed heterozygosities and inbreeding coefficients were significantly lower and higher, respectively, when compared to the captive demes where released birds came. Monitoring of reproductive parameters during single-pairing breeding and paternity inference within colonial facilities revealed large variations in breeding success between reproductive adults. The relative number of breeding pairs that contributed to a large part of captive-born birds (50–56%) was similar in both cases (28.6 and 26.9%, respectively). Thus, the chances for polygyny (rarely in this study), extra-pair paternity (not found in this study) and/or social stimulation of breeding parameters do not seem to greatly affect the genetically effective population size. Independently of breeding strategies, the release of unrelated fledglings into the same area and the promotion of immigration should be mandatory to counteract founder effects and avoid inbreeding in reintroduced populations of lesser kestrels.

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Acknowledgments

We are indebted to all the people who kindly helped to collect kestrel samples Therefore, we are thankful to J. L. Tella, E. Ursúa, A. Gajón, J. Blas, G. López, C. Rodríguez, J. Bustamante, R. Alcázar, J. D Morenilla, P. Prieto, I. Sánchez, A. García, I. Gámez, F. Carbonell, G. González, R. Bonal, J. M. Aparicio, A. de Frutos, P. Olea, E. Banda, C. Gutiérrez, P. Pilard and L. Brun. We especially thank people from the captive breeding centers of DEMA, GREFA and TORREFERRUSA (M. Martín, F. Carbonell and others). Daniel Janes and Tobias Lenz definitely contributed to improve this manuscript. We are also indebt to the Associate Editor Dr. Vicki Friesen and several anonymous reviewers for their kind and helpful assistance during the peer-review process.This study was supported by the MCyT (project REN2001-2310 and CGL2004-04120), which also provided a research grant to M. Alcaide.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Pabellón de Perú, Avda. Ma Luisa s/n , 41013, Sevilla, Spain

    Miguel Alcaide, Juan J. Negro & David Serrano

  2. DEMA, Defensa y Estudio del Medio Ambiente, Cría del cernícalo primilla, Ctra. Fuente del Maestre, km 17, 06200, Almendralejo, Spain

    José L. Antolín

  3. GREFA, Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat, Apdo. 11, 28220, Majadahonda, Spain

    Sara Casado

  4. Centro de Recuperación de Torreferrusa, Servici Proteció Gestió Fauna. Carretera Sabadell-Sta, Perpetua de la Moguda, Km. 4,5, 08037, Barcelona, Spain

    Manel Pomarol

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  1. Miguel Alcaide
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  2. Juan J. Negro
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  3. David Serrano
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  4. José L. Antolín
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  5. Sara Casado
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  6. Manel Pomarol
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Correspondence to Miguel Alcaide.

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Alcaide, M., Negro, J.J., Serrano, D. et al. Captive breeding and reintroduction of the lesser kestrel Falco naumanni: a genetic analysis using microsatellites. Conserv Genet 11, 331–338 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-009-9810-7

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