Genome wide data recover hierarchical genetic structure and help define conservation units for the threatened Asian Houbara.

ABSTRACT: The Asian Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis macqueenii), a partially migratory bird from the western and Central Asian steppes, is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. This study reassesses the species' genetic structure using modern genomics to identify evolutionary significant units (ESUs). Following the generation of a de novo reference assembly and resequencing data (114 birds, 10 locations), we integrated genetic results, migratory behaviour, and geography to identify eight hierarchically structured ESUs: four near range edges (Yemen, Mongolia, Eastern Kazakhstan, Israel) and four within the central range (Central-Eastern, Central-Western, North Iran, South Iran). Low genetic diversity and recent inbreeding make ESUs on the range periphery (Israel, Mongolia, Yemen) the most genetical

SUBMITTER: Hoareau TB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12852100 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature