Taxonomy, Phylogeography and Mollecular Markers Marc J. Bechard1, Jose H. Sarasola2 and Andreas J. Helbig3
(Oral) Comparison of Morphometric Measurements of male and female Spot-winged Falconets sexed using PCR Amplification Methods The Spot-winged Falconet (Spiziapteryx circumcinctus) is a little-known Neotropical falconid endemic to southern South America. Few data exist on the morphology of the
species. Only a handful of specimens have been obtained to take morphometric measurements and the degree to which sexual dimorphism has developed in the species is largely unknown. Information on the latter would
perhaps enable the sexing of individuals in the hand. In an effort to provide such data, we captured 25 falconets using bal-chatri traps with various mouse and bird lures in La Pampa, Argentina between 1998-2001. We
measured body mass, wingspan, wing chord, tail length, total body length, culmen length, tarsus length and width, and hallux length, and obtained blood samples using standard techniques. We sexed falconets behaviourally
in the field and in the laboratory using PCR amplification of the CDH intron of DNA extracted from blood samples. All of the measures taken were found to be significantly greater for females than for males (P <
0.05), indicating that, like other falconids, the Spot-winged Falconet has developed pronounced reversed sexual dimorphism. With its short, broad wings and elongated tail, the Spot-winged Falconet appears to be well
suited for hunting bird, reptile and insect prey in its native Calden forest habitat. 1. Department of Biology, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, U.S.A. Tel : 208-426-3530 Fax: 208-426-4267 Email: mbechard@boisestate.edu2. Jose H. Sarasola, Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina
Tel: (54)-2954-426432 Fax: (54)-2954-426432 Email: sarasola@ebd.csic.es 3. Andreas J. Helbig, Volgelwarte Hiddensee, University of Greifswald, D-186565 Kloster, Germany
Tel: (49)-38300-212 Fax: (49)-38300-50441 Email: helbig@mail.uni-greifswald.de Anita Gamauf1 and Elizabeth Haring2 (Poster)
Molecular Phylogeny and revised Taxonomy of Honey-buzzards To investigate geographical differentiation and speciation of the Honey-buzzards a
molecular phylogeny was established using a partial sequence of the cytb gene (382 bp). We analysed 35 specimens of the genus Pernis
representing all valid taxa (10) and representatives of the Old World Perninae, namely Long-tailed Honey-buzzards Henicopernis and Cuckoo-hawks Aviceda, to assess their relationship to the genus Pernis
. This molecular phylogeny can be considered as a first approach for inferring the phylogenetic relationships of Pernis
and related genera and for addressing questions concerning their evolutionary history, biogeography and systematics. The presumed relatives Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus and Egyptian Vulture
Neophron percnopterus as well as the Common Buzzard Buteo buteo were used as outgroup taxa. In the trees derived from the sequence data Aviceda appears as the basal lineage of the genus Pernis,
whereas the genera Pernis, Henicopernis, and the Old World vultures Gypaetus and Neophron are not closely related. Species status of P. apivorus and P. ptilorhyncus
are confirmed. The relationships of the two clades representing three subspecies of P. celebensis are not clearly resolved. We propose to split this taxon into the species P. celebensis (Sulawesi) and
P. steerei (Philippines). 1. Museum of Natural History Vienna, 1. Zool Dept., Burgring 7, A-1014 Vienna, Austria.
Tel. +43-1-52177-499 Email: anita.gamauf@nhm-wien.ac.at2. Museum of Natural History Vienna, Laboratory of Molecular Systematics, Burgring 7, A-1014 Vienna, Austria.
Tel. +43-1-52177-332 Email: elisabeth.haring@nhm-wien.ac.at Franziska Nittinger1, Elisabeth Haring2, Wilhelm (Poster) Pinsker3
and Anita Gamauf4 Molecular Systematics, Hybridization and Speciation of the Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) and related species The phylogenetic relationships of the Saker Falcon and other big falcons were analysed genetically. In addition, we want to assess the impact of hybridisation on the
endangered wild populations of F. cherrug
by comparing recent and historical populations. Both fresh samples and museum specimens were analysed from several populations of the Saker Falcon in Eastern Europe, Central and Eastern Asia. Population samples were taken from all classified subspecies and from different parts of the respective geographic distribution ranges. Representatives of other related falcons, which are possible candidates for hybridization, were also included: Gyrfalcon (
F. rusticolus), Lanner Falcon (F. biarmicus), Lagger Falcon (F. jugger), Prairie Falcon (F. mexicanus), and Peregrine Falcon (F. peregrinus). We present preliminary results of the genetic study and provide data on the efficiency of the various molecular markers to discriminate the closely related taxa. Fragment
length polymorphism was studied at ten microsatellite loci and sequence variation was analysed in two non-coding regions of the mitochondrial genome. The data obtained with these two marker systems (nuclear and
mitochondrial DNA) are compared. 1. Museum of Natural History Vienna, Laboratory of Molecular Systematics, Burgring 7, A-1014 Vienna, Austria.
Tel. +43-1-52177-332 Email: franziska.nittinger@epost.de2. Museum of Natural History Vienna, Laboratory of Molecular Systematics, Burgring 7, A-1014 Vienna, Austria.
Tel. +43-1-52177-332 Email: elisabeth.haring@nhm-wien.ac.at 3. University of Vienna, Institute of Medical Biology, Währinger Str. 10, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
Tel. +43-1-427760-620 Email: wilhelm.pinsker@univie.ac.at 4. Museum of Natural History Vienna, 1. Zool Dept, Burgring 7, A-1014 Vienna, Austria.
Tel.+43-1-52177-499 Email: anita.gamauf@nhm-wien.ac.at Dietrich Ristow1, Ludger Witte1 and Michael Wink2 (Oral)
Sex Determination of Nestlings in Eleonora's Falcon (Falco eleonorae): Plumage Characteristics and Molecular Sexing
The three basic colour morphs of Eleonora's Falcon (Falco eleonorae) can already be determined in nestling plumage. The colour pattern of the undertail-coverts is particularly suited to distinguish morphs. Once
morph is known, sex is determined from colour markings at the shaft near the tail end. In this way more than 85% of nestlings at >25 days of age were correctly sexed, as checked with results obtained from molecular
sexing. For 560 nests from Crete, 1997-2001, the male-to-female ratio of fledglings (542 : 486) in relation to brood size is discussed. 1. Pappelstr. 35, D-85579 Neubiberg, Germany.
Tel: + 49 89 602768 Email: dietrich.ristow@t-online.de2. Inst. Pharm. Biologie, Im Neuenheimerfeld 364, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Tel: + 49 6221 544881 Email: wink@uni-hd.de Jessica Scheider2, Michael Wink1, Michael Stubbe (Poster) and Wolfgang Wiltschko Phylogeographic Relationships of the Black Kite (Milvus migrans) The breeding range of the Black Kite covers Europe, Africa,
Asia and Australia. Part of the population migrates to Africa or India (up to 1000 km), whereas others are resident. Migration routes will be reconstructed from recoveries of ringed birds.Five to seven
geographically defined subspecies have been distinguished, but their taxonomy needs a thorough revision. We have started to develop genetic markers to define the different populations. First results were obtained from
sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene indicating that the Black Kite complex is closely related but still shows some phylogeographic patterns. The phylogenetic relationships of the Black Kite with other kites
have been analysed and will be discussed. 1. Institut für Pharmazie und Molekulare Biotechnologie, Universität Heidelberg, INF 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Email: wink@uni-hd.de2. Zoologisches Institut, Universität Frankfurt, Siesmayerstr. 70, 60323 Frankfurt, Germany Email: j.scheider@zoology.uni-frankfurt.de
Ulo Vali, Rimgaudas Treinys and Kostas Poirazidis (Oral) Genetic Structure of Greater (Aquila clanga) and Lesser Spotted Eagle (A. pomarina) Populations: implications for
phylogeography and conservation The Greater (Aquila clanga) and Lesser Spotted Eagle (A. pomarina) are two closely related raptors
of conservation concern. We used a mitochondrial pseudo-control region to analyse (1) the population genetic structure in both species in a sympatric area of their ranges; (2) the phylogeography of A. pomarina
using samples from the northern, central and southern part of its distribution range. Rare A. clanga showed remarkably higher genetic diversity compared with the more abundant A. pomarina,
whose population was not genetically differentiated within the Baltic region. Presence of the most common Baltic haplotype in Greece suggests that the Balkan Peninsula was the refugium for A. pomarina
during the last ice age; northern regions were colonized rapidly after deglaciation 8000 ± 1500 years ago. High diversity of A. clanga
may be caused by differences in postglacial spreading (colonization by several founders and possibly from several glacial refugia, lack of population expansion) and/or by recent demographic events (high level of gene flow or decreased numbers).
Correspondence to: Ulo Vali, Ubstitute of Zoology & Hydrobiology, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia.
Tel: + 372 7 375 054 Fax: + 372 7 375 830 Email: yvali@ebc.ee Michael Wink and Hedi Sauer-Gurth (Oral) Phylogenetic Relationships in Diurnal Raptors based
on nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial and nuclear marker genes Together with morphological and other biological characters nucleotide
sequences have developed into a useful tool to define phylogenetic and systematic relationships in diurnal raptors. In addition, genomic fingerprinting using ISSR-PCR can be of further interest.About 96
species of the Accipitridae, 42 of the Falconidae and 7 species of Cathartidae have been studied so far in our laboratory and a phylogeny based on cytochrome b data has been published (Wink 2000; Wink & Sauer-Gürth
2000). We have enlarged our cytochrome b database and have additionally sequenced a nuclear marker (intron DNA). Basically, the ncDNA data support the results obtained from mtDNA.
Institut für Pharmazie und Molekulare Biotechnologie, Universität Heidelberg, INF 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Email: wink@uni-hd.de Michael Wink1
, Hedi Sauer-Gürth1, David Ellis2 and Robert Kenward3 (Oral) Phylogenetic Relationships in the Hierofalco complex (Saker-, Gyr-, Lanner-, Laggar Falcon)
Saker, Gyr, Lanner and Laggar represent large falcons that belong to the Hierofalco complex. We have amplified and sequenced the mitochondrial
cytochrome b gene of all representatives of this clade, including several hundreds of Sakers from Kazakhstan and Mongolia. DNA data show that these taxa are very closely related and show interspecific distances that are
typical for subspecies. Within the Saker Falcon's 3 genetic lineages can be detected. No evidence could be obtained that the Altai Falcon can be recognised at the DNA level. In addition, genomic fingerprinting with
ISSR-PCR, which usually shows significant differences between species, shows only few differences between these taxa, thus confirming their close relatedness.
1. Institut für Pharmazie und Molekulare Biotechnologie, Universität Heidelberg, INF 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Email: wink@uni-hd.de2. USGS Sonoran Desert Field
Station, School of Renewable Natural Resources The University of Arizona, 125 Biological Sciences East,Tucson, Arizona 85721. Email: david_h_ellis@usgs.gov
3. CEH & IUCN-European Sustainable Use Specialist Group; Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Winfrith, Dorchester DT2 8ZD, UK Michael Wink1, Hedi Sauer-Gurth1
and David Pepler2 (Oral) Phylogeographic Relationships in the Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni The
breeding range of the Lesser Kestrel extends from the western Mediterranean over the Near East to Siberia. The falcons are migratory and winter in South Africa and in India. In South Africa, communal roosting sites are
known where several thousand birds gather every evening. Since Lesser Kestrels are endangered it would be interesting to know the origin of the birds wintering in a particular roost. Do the breeding population keep
separated in winter quarters or do they mix there? We have started to develop genetic markers to define the different breeding populations. First results were obtained from sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b
gene and from genomic fingerprinting using ISSR-PCR indicating that breeding populations can be distinguished to some degree and that some haplotypes can be recovered from birds wintering in South Africa. 1. Institut für Pharmazie und Molekulare Biotechnologie, Universität Heidelberg, INF 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Email: wink@uni-hd.de
2. Department of Conservation Ecology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa. Email: dp@maties.sun.ac.za Michael Wink1, Hedi Sauer-Gürth1
and Hans-Hinrich Witt2 (Oral) Phylogenetic Differentiation in the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
The Osprey has a world-wide distribution and has been subdivided into 5 geographically defined subspecies: P. h. haliaetus (Europe, North Africa, Asia) P.h. carolinensis (North America),
P.h. ridgwayi (Caribbean subregion), P.h. cristatus (Australia south 20° S) and P. h. melvillensis
(N Australia to Indonesia). We have amplified and sequenced the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene from American, European and Australian Ospreys and found a substantial genetic differentiation. Additionally genomic fingerprinting with ISSR-PCR which mainly detects differences in the nuclear DNA, support these findings. Genetic distances are in a range that is typical for distinct species. Morphological and genetic differences support the suggestion that the geographically defined subspecies may be recognised as distinct species.
1. Institut für Pharmazie und Molekulare Biotechnologie, Universität Heidelberg, INF 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Email: wink@uni-hd.de
2. Forsthaus Kornberg 1, 34621 Frielendorf, Germany Michael Wink, Hedi Sauer-Gürth and Marc Fuchs (Oral) Phylogenetic Relationships in Owls, based on nucleotide
sequences of mitochondrial and nuclear marker genes Together with morphological and vocal characters, nucleotide sequences help to define
phylogenetic relationships in owls. Since owls are nocturnal their morphological traits are often very similar so that a systematic differentiation or speciation event can easily be overlooked. A recent example is
Ninox sumbaensis from the island of Sumba. An unknown owl that had been observed there had been assumed to be a member of Otus. DNA data unequivocally showed (Olsen et al,
2002) that it unequivocally belongs to the genus Ninox.About 72 species of the Strigidae and 7 species of Tytonidae have been studied so far in our laboratory and a phylogeny based on cytochrome b
data has been published (Wink & Heidrich, 1999). We have enlarged our cytochrome b database and additionally have sequenced a nuclear marker (intron DNA). Basically, the ncDNA data support the results obtained from
mtDNA. Institut für Pharmazie und Molekulare Biotechnologie, Universität Heidelberg, INF 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Email: wink@uni-hd.de |
