Population structure, migratory connectivity and inference on gene exchange mechanisms in the Asian Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii: a summary of recent findings

Abstract

The phylogeographic structure of Asian Houbara revealed by genetic analysis suggests some level of differentiation between south and east Arabian resident populations, Sinai populations and the main bulk of Central Asian migrant and resident populations. Satellite tracking in southernmost populations failed to reveal population exchange with northern population and explains partly the genetic structure observed. Although central Asian birds show population specific migratory patterns and strong philopatry, possibilities of dissemination of genetic material between migrant populations and between migrants and residents exist in year-old birds and in adult birds during migration and could contribute to explain the absence of genetic differentiation between Central Asian populations.

Key words:

• Phylogeographic structure
• satellite tracking
• Macqueen’s Bustard
• phylopatry