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Investigating the puzzling genetic structure of mallard populations (Anas platyrhynchos L.) in Italy

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Abstract

The mallard (Anas platyrhynchos L.), the most abundant waterfowl species, is an important migratory component of the Holartic fauna. In Europe, massive numbers of farm-reared mallards of unknown genetic origin are released into the wild for hunting and in urban areas for ornamental purposes. Human manipulations have caused shifts in range, influenced migration propensity, led to behavioural modifications and altered the genetics of this duck species. With the aim to contribute to knowledge on the genetic consequences of large-scale game releases of mallards in southern Europe, we analysed the relationship among 245 individuals (wild and captive-bred) from eight localities in central and northern Italian regions and four from North America, by using nine microsatellite loci. In most Italian sites, a large admixture of mallard strains were observed, whereas significant genetic differentiation levels were found between urban and wild populations and among the wild population from North America and all European populations.

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Acknowledgments

Many thanks go to Paolo Sposimo and Sara Fratini for suggestions and sampling assistance. We also thank Kevin McCracken and Jeff Peters for the support in the study and in providing samples from Canada. We also thank anonymous reviewers to revise the MS with many improvements. This research was funded by the Tuscany Region, the Department of Agricultural Development, Fishing and Hunting, and A.R.S.I.A. (Regional Agency for Agricultural Development and Innovation).

Conflict of interests

The authors of this study had no financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for the Study of Ecosystems, CNR-ISE, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, 50019, Italy

    Mariella Baratti & Alessia Mori

  2. Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, ISPRA, via Ca’ Fornacetta 9, 40064, Ozzano Emilia, BO, Italy

    Nicola Baccetti

  3. Centro di Scienze Naturali, Prato, 59100, Italy

    Matteo Cordaro

  4. Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56126, Italy

    Alessia Mori

  5. Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Francesco Dessì-Fulgheri

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  1. Mariella Baratti
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  2. Nicola Baccetti
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  3. Matteo Cordaro
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  4. Alessia Mori
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  5. Francesco Dessì-Fulgheri
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Correspondence to Mariella Baratti.

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Communicated by C. Gortázar

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Baratti, M., Baccetti, N., Cordaro, M. et al. Investigating the puzzling genetic structure of mallard populations (Anas platyrhynchos L.) in Italy. Eur J Wildl Res 61, 81–89 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-014-0876-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-014-0876-2

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