José Domingo Rodríguez-Teijeiro

Ebola Outbreak Killed 5000 Gorillas

Over the past decade, the Zaire strain of Ebola virus (ZEBOV) has repeatedly emerged in Gabon and Congo. Each human outbreak has been accompanied by reports of gorilla and chimpanzee carcasses in neighboring forests, but both the extent of ape mortality and the causal role of ZEBOV have been hotly debated. Here, we present data suggesting that in 2002 and 2003 ZEBOV killed about 5000 gorillas in our study area. The lag between neighboring gorilla groups in mortality onset was close to the ZEBOV disease cycle length, evidence that group-to-group transmission has amplified gorilla die-offs.

Are Farm-Reared Quails for Game Restocking Really Common Quails (Coturnix coturnix)?: A Genetic Approach

The common quail (Coturnix coturnix) is a popular game species for which restocking with farm-reared individuals is a common practice. In some areas, the number of released quails greatly surpasses the number of wild breeding common quail. However, common quail are difficult to raise in captivity and this casts suspicion about a possible hybrid origin of the farmed individuals from crosses with domestic Japanese quail (C. japonica). In this study we used a panel of autosomal microsatellite markers to characterize the genetic origin of quails reared for hunting purposes in game farms in Spain and of quails from an experimental game farm which was founded with hybrids that have been systematically backcrossed with wild common quails. The genotypes of these quail were compared to those of wild common quail and domestic strains of Japanese quail. Our results show that more than 85% of the game farm birds were not common quail but had domestic Japanese quail ancestry. In the experimental farm a larger proportion of individuals could not be clearly separated from pure common quails. We conclude that the majority of quail sold for restocking purposes were not common quail. Genetic monitoring of individuals raised for restocking is indispensable as the massive release of farm-reared hybrids could represent a severe threat for the long term survival of the native species.

Detecting slow introgression of invasive alleles in an extensively restocked game bird

Interbreeding of two species in the wild implies introgression of alleles from one species into the other only when admixed individuals survive and successfully backcross with the parental species. Consequently, estimating the proportion of first generation hybrids in a population may not inform about the evolutionary impact of hybridization. Samples obtained over a long time span may offer a more accurate view of the spreading of introgressed alleles in a species’ gene pool. Common quail (Coturnix coturnix) populations in Europe have been restocked extensively with farm quails of hybrid origin (crosses with Japanese quails, C. japonica). We genetically monitored a common quail population over 15 years to investigate whether genetic introgression is occurring and used simulations to investigate our power to detect it. Our results revealed that some introgression has occurred, but we did not observe a significant increase over time in the proportion of admixed individuals. However, simulations showed that the degree of admixture may be larger than anticipated due to the limited power of analyses over a short time span, and that observed data was compatible with a low rate of introgression, probably resulting from reduced fitness of admixed individuals. Simulations predicted this could result in extensive admixture in the near future.

The effects of rainfall on wild populations of Common Quail(Coturnix coturnix)

Investigations were carried out into the influence of rainfall on the breeding of the Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix) from 1984–94 in Tarragona Province (NE Spain) and on the number of quails shot during the hunting season in the Teruel Province (NE Spain) in 14 consecutive years. The results clearly show the influence of rainfall on the duration of stay of singing male quail (r=0.79, p=0.01, n=9): in dry years it is short and in rainy years it is longer. A direct relationship between the mean time of quail presence and the mean date of cereal maturation was also found (r=0.81, p=0.008, n=9), strongly suggesting that rainfall directly affects the date of harvest and indirectly affects the breeding cycle of quail. Finally, the number of quail bagged by hunters depends on the annual rainfall (r2=0.54−0.74). We conclude that rainfall is a key factor in the biological cycle of the Common Quail. Rainfall has an indirect effect on its productivity and mortality, and influences its nomadic and migratory movements. Zwischen 1984 und 1994 wurde der Einfluß des Regens auf die Brutbiologie der Wachtel in der Provinz Tarragona (NE Spanien) und zwischen 1976 und 1989 auf die Jagdstrecke in der Provinz Teruel (NE Spanien) untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen deutlich den Einfluß des Regens auf die Dauer des Aufenthalts der singenden Männchen (r=0.79, p=0.01, n=9): in trockenen Jahren war er kurz, in Regenjahren länger. Auch besteht ein enger Zusammenhang zwischen durchschnittlicher Aufenthaltsdauer und durchschnittlichem Reifedatum des Getreides (r=0.81, p=0.008, n=9). Damit ist wahrscheinlich, daß die Regenfälle das Erntedatum direkt und den Fortpflanzungszyklus der Wachteln indirekt beeinflussen. Die jährliche Jagdstrecke ist ebenfalls eng mit der Menge an jährlichen Regenfällen korreliert (r2=0,54−0,74). Niederschläge scheinen also ein Schlüsselfaktor im biologischen Zyklus der Wachtel zu sein. Sie beeinflussen Produktivität, Sterblichkeit und Ortsveränderungen.

Survival and mean life span of the quail Coturnix c. coturnix

Quail annual survival rate and mean life span were calculated using the techniques of Brownie et al.3 and Haldane. 5 The computations were based on data sets of 135 390 and 336 095 birds respectively ringed between 1938–43 and 1946–53 at two Italian localities. The data did not fit Brownie et al.5 models, but 1st data set fitted Haldanes. The mean annual survival rates of Quails were estimated as between 27 and 31%. These rates are comparable to those of other similar sized Galliformes and confirm the Quail as being an r-strategist.

Mate guarding and male body condition shape male fertilization success and female mating system in the common quail

In species with female polygamy, pair bonds are frequently established since mate guarding can determine male fertilization success. However, extending the duration of pair bonds also implies reducing the chances of finding new mates. Males face a trade-off between mate guarding and looking for new mates, which can be shaped by their body condition. Here, we investigated the effect of male body condition and mate guarding over the female mating system (genetic monogamy or polygamy) and the male fertilization success in the common quail, Coturnix coturnix, a species with sperm storage and thus the potential for postcopulatory selection, and without paternal care. We monitored 20 females and 32 males. We genotyped them, the 21 clutches laid by these females and a large proportion of the males present in the population, which could have sired the clutches, to perform paternity analyses. We tested whether it is the pairing order or the duration of the pair bond that determines the fertilization outcome in clutches with multiple fathers. We hypothesized that males with better body condition might be able to find a mate faster, reducing the cost of mate switching and increasing fertilization success by spending less time in a pair bond. We observed socially monogamous and polygamous females, and our genetic analyses revealed that broods could be sired by one and by multiple fathers. Female genetic polygamy was more frequent when first matings were with males in good body condition. We detected two or three different fathers in multiple paternity broods. The male that mate guarded for longest was the one that sired most of the clutch. Although males in better body condition seemed to establish shorter pair bonds, further data are needed to confirm this trend.

Hibridación entre la codorniz común (Coturnix coturnix) y la codorniz de granja: estado de un problema de conservación

Puigcerver, M., Sanchez-Donoso, I., Vila, C., Sarda-Palomera, F., Morales-Rodriguez, P.A., Caballero de la Calle, J.R., Rodriguez-Teijeiro, J.D. (2013). Hybridization between the common quail ( Coturnix coturnix ) and farm-reared quails: state of the art of a conservation problem. Ecosistemas 22(2):48-53. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2013.22-2.08 Hybridization between the common quail ( Coturnix coturnix ) and farm-reared quails: state of the art of a conservation problem. Hybridization between species is a widespread phenomenon which may have consequences in the conservation of the biodiversity. In this article we review the conservation problem derived from restocking practices with farm-reared quails in wild common quail populations ( Coturnix coturnix ). Farm quails have resulted to be hybrids of common quail and Japanese quail ( Coturnix japonica ). If there are not reproductive isolating mechanisms, restocking practices could favour the introgression of Japanese quail genes into common quail populations, thus resulting in a hybrid swarm and increased sedentariness of quail populations which would probably result in a population decrease in Europe. This is a real threat. There are neither pre-zigotic, post-zigotic, nor ecological barriers. However, empirical data does not suggest that a hybrid swarm has formed. Different rates of mortality between the species are a possible explanation. Lastly, we suggest some management actions given the current situation. Among them, we suggest genetic certification of the origin of farm-reared individuals and banning the restocking with Japanese quail or hybrids.