Molecular Genetic Markers for Birds Evolutionary and Population Research

Abstract

Research and protection of large predatory birds have faced difficulties because of the problem of determining the actual species status of individuals of the studied population or population’s group. In biology, the concept of the species was a subject of debates during the last century. There are many problems associated with the definition of species status. These problems include uncertainty due to presence of parthenogenetic species, and the presence of various forms and morphs with different degrees of relationship and different degrees of isolation. The problems are also related with the possibilities of rapid removal, or “opening” of isolating barriers between forms, and vice versa, their instantaneous formation, for example, under the influence of intracellular parasites / symbionts. The existence of populations and morphotypes with different degree of isolation and kinship is typical for birds because of their ability to long distance migration. What formal criteria and methodological approaches can we use to evaluate the species and population diversity of birds, as well as the threat of their depletion and extinction?

Keywords

• хищные птицы
• генетика