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Genomics reveal population structure and intergeneric hybridization in an endangered South American bird: implications for management and conservation
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  • Marisol Domínguez,
  • Larissa Arantes,
  • Pablo Lavinia,
  • Nicole Bergjürgen,
  • Agustin Casale,
  • Dario Lijtmaer,
  • Pablo Tubaro,
  • Sarah Sparmann,
  • Susan Mbedi,
  • Camila Mazzoni,
  • Bettina Mahler,
  • Ralph Tiedemann
Marisol Domínguez
University of Potsdam Institute of Biochemistry and Biology

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Larissa Arantes
Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) in the Forschungsverbund Berlin eV
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Pablo Lavinia
Universidad Nacional de Río Negro. CIT Río Negro UNRN - CONICET, Sede Atlántica
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Nicole Bergjürgen
University of Potsdam Institute of Biochemistry and Biology
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Agustin Casale
Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia
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Dario Lijtmaer
Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia
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Pablo Tubaro
Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales, "Bernardino Rivadavia" (MACN-CONICET)
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Sarah Sparmann
Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries in the Forschungsverbund Berlin eV
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Susan Mbedi
Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research
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Camila Mazzoni
Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) in the Forschungsverbund Berlin eV
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Bettina Mahler
Universidad de Buenos Aires Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales
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Ralph Tiedemann
University of Potsdam Institute of Biochemistry and Biology
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Abstract

Genomics is an invaluable tool for conservation, particularly for endangered species impacted by wildlife trafficking. This study uses genomic data to provide new insights to aid conservation and management of endangered species, using as a case study the Yellow cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata), a bird endemic to southern South America severely affected by illegal trade and the transformation of its natural habitat. We explore population structure within the Yellow cardinal, delimiting management units and describing connectivity among them. Additionally, we develop and assess the accuracy of a panel of 189 informative SNPs, and demonstrate how these can reliably assign confiscated individuals to one of the management units established. Lastly, we assess hybridization between the Yellow cardinal and the Diuca finch (Diuca diuca), which is reported to occur in regions of sympatry. We confirm that hybridization occurs, although it is not as common as previously thought, and that hybrids might be fertile, as we found evidence of backcrossing with Yellow cardinals. We discuss the implications of this introgression for the evolution and conservation of Yellow cardinals. Our study provides new, valuable information that can guide conservation efforts, comprising a test case for the use of genomics in combating illegal trafficking, with potential application beyond the case of the Yellow cardinal.