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Phylogeographic analysis of nuclear and mtDNA supports subspecies designations in the ostrich (Struthio camelus)

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Abstract

We investigated the phylogeography and subspecies classification of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) by assessing patterns of variation in mitochondrial DNA control region (mtDNA-CR) sequence and across fourteen nuclear microsatellite loci. The current consensus taxonomy of S. camelus names five subspecies based on morphology, geographic range, mtDNA restriction fragment length polymorphism and mtDNA-CR sequence analysis: S. c. camelus, S. c. syriacus, S. c. molybdephanes, S. c. massaicus and S. c. australis. We expanded a previous mtDNA dataset from 18 individual mtDNA-CR sequences to 123 sequences, including sequences from all five subspecies. Importantly, these additional sequences included 43 novel sequences of the red-necked ostrich, S. c. camelus, obtained from birds from Niger. Phylogeographic reconstruction of these sequences matches previous results, with three well-supported clades containing S. c. camelus/syriacus, S. c. molybdophanes, and S. c. massaicus/australis, respectively. The 14 microsatellite loci assessed for 119 individuals of four subspecies (all but S. c. syriacus) showed considerable variation, with an average of 13.4 (±2.0) alleles per locus and a mean observed heterozygosity of 55.7 (±5.3)%. These data revealed high levels of variation within most subspecies, and a structure analysis revealed strong separation between each of the four subspecies. The level of divergence across both marker types suggests the consideration of separate species status for S. c. molybdophanes, and perhaps also for S. c. camelus/syriacus. Both the mtDNA-CR and microsatellite analyzes also suggest that there has been no recent hybridization between the subspecies. These findings are of importance for management of the highly endangered red-necked subspecies (S. c. camelus) and may warrant its placement onto the IUCN red list of threatened animals.

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Acknowledgments

Fieldwork was funded by the Sahara Conservation Fund, Saint Louis Zoo, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Niger’s Ministry of Environment, San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, AZA Conservation Endowment Fund, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom; and laboratory analyses by Friends of the National Zoo and the Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics. We thank Niger’s Ministry, the Directorate General of Environment, T. J. Robinson, and Dr. Maikano for assistance in the field, and Nancy Rotzel, Laura Morse, Frank Hailer and Emily Latch for help with logistics and/or analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, PO BOX 37012 MRC 5503, Washington, DC, 20013-7012, USA

    Joshua M. Miller & Robert C. Fleischer

  2. Animal Care Directorate, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, PO BOX 37012 MRC 5507, Washington, DC, 20013-7012, USA

    Sara Hallager

  3. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA

    Steven L. Monfort

  4. Sahara Conservation Fund, Rue des Tigneuses 2, 1148, L’Isle, Switzerland

    John Newby & Kelley Bishop

  5. Animal Programs and Environmental Initiatives, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL, 32830, USA

    Scott A. Tidmus

  6. Saint Louis Zoo, One Government Drive, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA

    Peter Black & Bill Houston

  7. Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa

    Conrad A. Matthee

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  1. Joshua M. Miller
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  2. Sara Hallager
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  3. Steven L. Monfort
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  4. John Newby
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  7. Peter Black
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  8. Bill Houston
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  9. Conrad A. Matthee
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  10. Robert C. Fleischer
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Correspondence to Robert C. Fleischer.

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Miller, J.M., Hallager, S., Monfort, S.L. et al. Phylogeographic analysis of nuclear and mtDNA supports subspecies designations in the ostrich (Struthio camelus). Conserv Genet 12, 423–431 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-010-0149-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-010-0149-x

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