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Uwe Schröder

  • Biodiversity Journal, 12 (2): 0391-0402

    Jannik Scherer, Michael Wink, Uwe Schröder & Miguel Vences
    Newly developed microsatellite markers for the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus (Linnaeus, 1758), with a preliminary assessment of its genetic variation
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.2.391.402

    ABSTRACT
    We report on the development of a set of microsatellite markers for the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus (Linnaeus, 1758), using an enrichment / high-throughput sequencing approach. Out of 9328 potential microsatellites identified, we established 24 tetrameric markers and assessed allelic variation based on samples from continental Europe and the Macaronesian archipelagos. Along with sequences of the mitochondrial cox1 gene from across the species’ range, we use the new markers for a preliminary assessment of genetic variation of A. nisus. We find a low mitochondrial variation with only four cox1 haplotypes, one of which present in all five subspecies studied. Microsatellite analyses suggested a single, panmictic population, with a very low indication for differentiation between the European A. nisus nisus and the Macaronesian A. nisus granti. However, given the relatively few samples included in this study, our results require confirmation from more in-depth analyses with comprehensive sampling. The newly established microsatellites provide a tool for conservation assessments, conservation breeding and paternity analysis in this widespread raptor.