Population subdivision in Europe's great bustard inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence variation

A continent-wide survey of sequence variation in mitochondrial (mt) and nuc lear (n) DNA of the endangered great bustard (Otis tarda) was conducted to assess the extent of phylogeographic structure in a morphologically monotyp ic bird. DNA sequence variation in a combined 809 by segment of the mtDNA g enome from 66 individuals from the last six breeding regions showed relativ ely low levels of intraspecific sequence diversity (pi = 0.32%) but signifi cant differences in the regional distribution of 11 haplotypes (Phi(ST) = 0 .49). Despite their exceptional potential for dispersal, a complete and lon g-term historical separation between the populations from the Iberian Penin sula (Spain) and mainland Europe (Hungary, Slovakia, Germany and Russia) wa s demonstrated. Divergence between populations based on a 3-bp insertion-de letion polymorphism within the intron region of the nuclear CHD-Z gene was geographically concordant with the primary subdivision identified within th e mtDNA sequences. Inferred aspects of phylogeography were used to formulat e conservation recommendations for this endangered species.