Bagliacca, M., Valentini, A. & Cappuccio, I. 1997: RAPD molecular markers to study populations of Black grouse Tetrao tetrix in the Alps. - Wildl. Biol. 3: 269.
The black grouse Tetrao tetrix is declining in most of the Alps where it historically occurred. A better knowledge of the genetics of the wild populations and of captive-reared birds is necessary for future reintroduction into areas where they historically occurred or where they are endangered. DNA-markers are the choice of method to study genetics of wild populations, but it is difficult to get blood samples from wild birds to extract DNA. A technique based on feathers as the DNA source was developed. DNA extracted from blood and feathers from seven birds was tested by PCR, 80 10-base primers. Only seven primers showed a repeatable amplification profile between DNA sources and polymorphic variation within the population. The selected primers were used to amplify the DNA extracted from wild black grouse feathers in different areas (Trentino, Cuneo, Maritime Alps). The Trentino population presented a reduced genetic variability with an average band sharing (ABS) of 0.76 ± 0.145 in the captive-reared birds vs 0.70 ± 0.17 in all birds. The birds from Cuneo and the Maritime Alps had ABS of 0.48 ± 0.07 and 0.35 ± 0.10, respectively, and were quite different from the average genotype.
Key words: black grouse, genetic variability, RAPD molecular markers, Tetrao tetrix, the Alps
Marco Bagliacca, Departmento di Produzione Animale, Università di Pisa, Via delle Piagge, Pisa, Italy
Alessio Valentini & I. Cappuccio, Istituto di Zootecnia, Università della Tuscia, Via de Lellis Viterbo, Italy