Project description:The complete mitochondrial genome sequences of the two sister species, Scandinavian willow ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus and Icelandic rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta, were characterized using next-generation sequencing. The mitogenome for willow ptarmigan was 16,677?bp long, with base composition of 30.3% A, 30.8% C, 13.3% G and 25.6% T, with a GC content of 44.1%, while for rock ptarmigan mitogenome was 16,687?bp long, with base composition of 30.2% A, 30.6% C, 13.4% G and 25.8% T, and a GC content of 44.0%. Like other Galliformes species, the mitogenomes comprised of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA, 2 rRNA and 2 non-coding regions; and control region (D-loop). All genes except ND6 and 8 tRNA were encoded on the?+?strand. All protein-coding genes started with ATG, except for COX1, where a GTG codon was present in both willow ptarmigan and rock ptarmigan. Phylogenetic analysis of the two novel mitogenomes with other Galliformes species demonstrates close relationship within the Tetraoninae subfamily.
Project description:The Pyrenean rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta pyrenaica) lives at one of the southernmost limits of the ptarmigan range. Their small population sizes and the impacts of global changes are limiting factors in the conservation of this threatened subspecies. An effective conservation policy requires precise basic knowledge of a species' food and habitat requirements, information that is practically non-existent for this Pyrenean population. Here, we describe the diet of a ptarmigan population in the Eastern Pyrenees, the environmental factors influencing its variability and the relationship between diet floristic composition and quality. Diet composition was determined by microhistological analysis of faeces and diet quality was estimated from free-urate faecal N content. Our results show that grouse diet is based mainly on arctic-alpine shrubs of the Ericaceae family, as well as dwarf willows (Salix spp.) and Dryas octopetala. The most frequently consumed plant species was Rhododendron ferrugineum, but its abundance in the diet was negatively related to the diet nitrogen content. Conversely, the abundance of Salix spp., grass leaves and arthropods increased the nitrogen content of the diet. Seasonality associated with snow-melting contributed the most to variability in the Pyrenean ptarmigan diet, differentiating winter from spring/summer diets. The latter was characterised by a high consumption of dwarf willows, flowers, arthropods and tender forb leaves. Geographic area and sex-age class influenced diet variability to a lesser extent. Current temperature increases in the Pyrenees due to global warming may reduce the persistence and surface area of snow-packs where preferred plants for rock ptarmigan usually grow, thus reducing food availability. The high consumption of Rh. ferrugineum characterised the diet of the Pyrenean population. Given the toxicity of this plant for most herbivores, its potential negative effect on Pyrenean ptarmigan populations should be evaluated.
Project description:The genetic markers designed for this study can facilitate future genetic studies on the rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta). To our knowledge no microsatellite markers have ever been developed specifically for this species before. These new microsatellite markers will be useful for population genetics studies and for future conservation projects.Using Next Generation Sequencing 6252 potential microsatellite sequences were found. Sixteen nonpalindromic tetranucleotide microsatellites and their respective primers were selected. The markers were tested on both the rock ptarmigan and the willow grouse (L. lagopus). The number of alleles varied between 2 and 18 for the rock ptarmigan, and between 3 and 13 for the willow grouse. Expected heterozygosity was in the range 0.1244-0.8692 and 0.1358-0.8722 for the rock ptarmigan and the willow grouse, respectively.