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Genetic variability, body characteristics and reproductive parameters of neighbouring rural and urban common kestrel (Falco tinnuculus) populations

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Population Ecology

Abstract

We tested the genetic and ecological differences between neighbouring urban and rural populations of common kestrels (Falco tinnuculus) in southern Bohemia. The aims were to (1) assess the genetic variability of the studied kestrel populations using microsatellite markers, (2) check the genetic relatedness of individuals within the urbanization gradient, and (3) compare possible gradients of body characteristics and reproductive parameters on the urbanization gradient. The mean expected allelic polymorphism did not differ among the studied populations, which were not genetically separated (F ST  = 0.0003, P = 0.781). Also, an individual assignment test did not show a separation of these populations. Urban kestrels that bred in the city centre were indicatively more related than others, and no relationship was found in the rural kestrel population. Kestrel females were heavier towards the city centre, but males did not show this relationship. Nest distance from the city centre had no significant effect on any of the tested reproductive parameters. Our results do not support the notion of genetic differentiation between rural and urban kestrels, but revealed trends in body characteristics and genetic relatedness along the urbanization gradient.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the FRVŠ (G4/1057), GAČR (206/03/H034) and MSM (6007665801) agencies for financial support. The manipulation of studied kestrels was authorized according to §18b, 246/1992 of the Czech Republic and authorized under permission No. B 601410805. We thank Š. Janeček and two anonymous referees for comments in the early phase of the project, and Keith Edwards and Hassan Hashimi for language correction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

    Jan Riegert & Drahomíra Fainová

  2. Centre of Oncocytogenetic, Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, General University Hospital and 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, U Nemocnice 2, 128 08, Praha, Czech Republic

    Dagmar Bystřická

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  1. Jan Riegert
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  2. Drahomíra Fainová
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  3. Dagmar Bystřická
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Correspondence to Jan Riegert.

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Riegert, J., Fainová, D. & Bystřická, D. Genetic variability, body characteristics and reproductive parameters of neighbouring rural and urban common kestrel (Falco tinnuculus) populations. Popul Ecol 52, 73–79 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10144-009-0168-y

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