title: Demographic status and genetic tagging of endangered capercaillie in NW Spain.
abstract: Counting rare and elusive animals and evaluating their demographic status, are fundamental yet challenging aspects of population ecology and conservation biology. We set out to estimate population size (Nc), genetic effective population size (Ne gen), sex ratio, and movements based on genetic tagging for the threatened Cantabrian capercaillie. We used 9 microsatellite loci to genotype 134 droppings collected at 34 display areas during the breeding season. Using genetic capture-mark-recapture, we estimated 93 individuals (Nc, 95% CI: 70-116) in an area of about 500 km2, with sex ratio biased towards males (1∶1.6). Estimated Ne gen (35.5) was 38% of Nc, notably higher than the published average in wild populations. This capercaillie population is small and well within concern in terms of population viability. By genetic tagging, we detected mostly short movements; just a few males were recaptured between contiguous display areas. Non-invasive surveys of endangered populations have a great potential, yet adequate sample size and location are key to obtain reliable information on conservation status.
authors.affiliation: Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO-PA-CSIC), University of Oviedo, Mieres, Spain; Ecology Unit, Department of Biology of Organisms and Systems, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morán-Luis
authors.affiliation: Group of Biodiversity and Conservation Genetics (GECOBI), Argentinian Museum of Natural Sciences 'Bernardino Rivadavia', Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fameli
authors.affiliation: Ecology Unit, Department of Biology of Organisms and Systems, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Blanco-Fontao
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservation Biology, Doñana Biological Station (CSIC), Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fernández-Gil
authors.affiliation: Centre for Ecology and Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rolando
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO-PA-CSIC), University of Oviedo, Mieres, Spain; Ecology Unit, Department of Biology of Organisms and Systems, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quevedo
authors.affiliation: Group of Biodiversity and Conservation Genetics (GECOBI), Argentinian Museum of Natural Sciences 'Bernardino Rivadavia', Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mirol
authors.affiliation: Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO-PA-CSIC), University of Oviedo, Mieres, Spain; Ecology Unit, Department of Biology of Organisms and Systems, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: María-José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bañuelos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D056727:Endangered Species; D005260:Female; D046094:Galliformes; D005828:Genetics, Population; D008297:Male; D013030:Spain