Dissertation Research: Population Genetics and Demography of Goshawks Using Non-invasive Genetic Sampling

论文研究：利用非侵入性基因采样进行苍鹰的种群遗传学和人口统计学

• 批准号: 0508921
• 负责人: Michael Antolin
• 金额: $ 0.85万
• 依托单位: Colorado State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2005
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2005-07-01 至 2007-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0508921&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Dissertation; Research; Population; Genetics; Demography

Northern Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) are North American hawks that hunt and nest within the interiors of mature forests. Their needs are often in conflict with forest management (fire suppression, timber harvest), and the concern now is that populations in the West are declining. Little is known about the species' population trends and genetics because studying goshawks is difficult and expensive. Goshawks, however, molt their feathers every year, which are easily collected at nest sites. These feathers provide DNA that is useful for uniquely identifying individuals and tracking them over time. Genetic fingerprints from molted feathers will be used to study: (1) a fifteen-year population trend for goshawks on the Kaibab Plateau, in northern Arizona; and (2) connectivity and relatedness among goshawk populations in western North America. Concern over population declines has prompted the filing of petitions to list goshawks in the West as endangered. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cites the need for more studies to assess populations and to identify unique population segments (i.e., sub-species) that may warrant protection. This research will provide information to guide management and conservation of goshawks. Additionally, this research demonstrates the utility of cost-effective and non-invasive genetic methods based on molted feathers that do not require capturing and handling of animals in the wild.

北方苍鹰（学名：Accipiter generus）是一种北美鹰，在成熟的森林内部狩猎和筑巢。 他们的需求往往与森林管理（灭火、木材采伐）相冲突，现在令人担忧的是，西部的人口正在减少。 由于研究苍鹰既困难又昂贵，因此对该物种的种群趋势和遗传学知之甚少。然而，苍鹰每年都要换羽，这很容易在巢址收集。 这些羽毛提供了DNA，可用于唯一识别个体并随时间跟踪它们。 蜕皮羽毛的遗传指纹将被用于研究：（1）亚利桑那州北方凯巴布高原苍鹰15年的种群趋势;（2）北美西部苍鹰种群之间的连通性和相关性。 对人口下降的担忧促使人们提交请愿书，将西部的苍鹰列为濒危物种。 美国鱼类和野生动物管理局指出，需要进行更多的研究来评估种群并确定独特的种群部分（即，（3）可能需要保护的物种。 本研究将为苍鹰的管理和保护提供参考。 此外，这项研究还证明了基于蜕皮羽毛的具有成本效益和非侵入性的遗传方法的实用性，这些方法不需要在野外捕获和处理动物。