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Origin and genetic structure of white-tailed sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in the Czech Republic: an analysis of breeding distribution, ringing data and DNA microsatellites

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Abstract

The population of white-tailed sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in the Czech Republic declined dramatically during the twentieth century. None were observed in the area for more than 60 years until population recoveries were observed beginning in the 1980s. It is currently estimated that 25–30 breeding pairs of white-tailed sea eagles nest in the Czech Republic. This article analyses surveillance data from three periods between 1973 and 2003 on the occurrence and nesting of white-tailed sea eagles in the Czech Republic. We investigated recolonization of European white-tailed sea eagles in the Czech Republic in terms of migration patterns and population structures. Bird ringing data suggest the Czech population may be recovered from various areas encompassing northern Europe. Using data collected by DNA microsatellite, no population structure was revealed through Bayesian and cluster analyses with an existing Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, which suggests mixed panmictic populations of white-tailed sea eagles in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. While analysis of genetic diversity showed no difference between recovered populations in the southeastern Czech Republic and those persisting in Slovakia, there was genetic diversity between eagles of the southeastern subpopulation and eagles in other parts of the Czech Republic. Taken together, these observations on the population structure of white-tailed sea eagles in the Czech Republic imply that other European birds contributed to the recovery of the Czech population, likely through breeding mixture with an identifiable centre in the southeastern Czech Republic.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by grant no. MSM6215712402 from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic. Peter Mikulíček was supported by grant no. 1/2369/05 from Grant agency VEGA Slovakia. The authors declare that the study complies with the current laws of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého 1-3, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic

    I. Literák, V. Mrlík & L. Dubská

  2. Department of Genetics, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic

    A. Hovorková

  3. Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Genservice, Ltd., Palackého 1-3, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic

    A. Hovorková

  4. Department of Zoology, Comenius University, Mlynská dolina B-1, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia

    P. Mikulíček

  5. Administration of the Protected Landscape Area Dunajské Luhy, Korzo Bélu Bartóka 789/3, 929 01, Dunajská Streda, Slovakia

    J. Lengyel

  6. Department of Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Czech University of Agriculture, Kamycká 1176, 165 21, Prague, Czech Republic

    K. Št’astný

  7. Bird Ringing Centre, National Museum, Hornoměcholupská 34, 102 00, Prague, Czech Republic

    J. Cepák

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  1. I. Literák
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  8. L. Dubská
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Correspondence to L. Dubská.

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Literák, I., Mrlík, V., Hovorková, A. et al. Origin and genetic structure of white-tailed sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in the Czech Republic: an analysis of breeding distribution, ringing data and DNA microsatellites. Eur J Wildl Res 53, 195–203 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-006-0081-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-006-0081-z

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