IUCN Red List protects avian genetic diversity

Low genetic diversity may be associated with an increase in species' extinction risk (Spielman et al. 2004, Frankham 2005). Still, global conservation assessments do not consider relevant genetic-based estimates for evaluating species threat status. Rather, they rely primarily on changes population abundance and range size, the inherent assumption that intra-specific variability is tightly correlated size area (Frankham 1996). If this was universally true, considered to at high risk, because of small sizes and/or low abundances, should have lower levels than low-risk vice-versa. However, contradictory evidence, birds mammals (Reed 2010), suggests omitting from classification criteria could potentially lead under- or over-estimating actual species. Here, we investigate whether bird extinction, by widely used assessment (IUCN 2021), less nucleotide non-threatened (Supporting information). To accomplish aim, established differences threatened (Vulnerable – VU, Endangered EN Critically CR) vs (Least Concern LC Near Threatened NT) compiling 28 403 publicly available avian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences GenBank. We calculated cytochrome-b (cyt-b) 1036 (approximately 10% all species), average number per being 27 ± 44 The sequence length (base-pairs) across 887 201. Using phylANOVAs, control phylogenetic signal (Freckleton 2002), corrected varying sample between groups, show significantly cyt-b (p < 0.05, 953 out 1000 phylANOVA repetitions; mean p = 0.010 0.025) (Fig. 1a; Supporting information), medium large effect 97.2% repetitions (ω2 > 0.06). 0.16 0.05 Genetic (a) (b) Percentage (T) (NT) lowest (≤10th percentile) highest (≥ 90th values diversity. (c) Conceptual figure showing a experiencing declines (negative trend) through time, enhancing its risk. Due (GD; GD), same might greater (red dashed line) lesser (blue respectively, producing mismatch evaluated (black solid (latent LE). (d) Examples (sooty tit: Aegithalos fuliginosus; photo credits: Tim Melling) (African houbara: Chlamydotis undulata) some percentile). Our results reveal current indirectly prioritize diversity, which can virtue 2005) 1c). For example, African houbara (Chlamydotis undulata, VU) among our data set percentile: GD ≤ 0.0015; Fig. 1d), persistence affected inbreeding drift (Korrida 2012). Moreover, millerbird (Acrocephalus familiaris, inaccessible finch (Nesospiza acunhae, are both range-restricted small-island endemics limited (≤ 10th percentile; making them particularly vulnerable rapid environmental introduced predators extreme climatic events (Vincenzi 2017). Although mtDNA has been shown, under circumstances, use inferring (Bazin 2006, Nabholz 2009), suggest correlation, direct indirect, size. experienced contractions recent times (non-threatened found generally (≥90th ≥ 0.0302). Higher might, process local adaptation, aid resilience (DeWoody 2021) reverse slow decline instances, harbour most probably due past bottlenecks (Weber 2000). Four cent analysed had 1b). sooty tit (Aegithalos fuliginosus, LC; 1d) Despite having restricted range, as ‘Least Concern', suspected stable 2021). signals higher IUCN status indicates, encouraging further using census genomic techniques. result dramatic demographic events, after remain temporally low, while overall increases these species, whole-genome studies will help role long-term survival. While contingent sequences, geographic taxonomic biases public repositories such GenBank, no correlation Furthermore, (λ 0.56, 0.001), phylANOVAs confirm independence relation evolutionary history Indeed, there significant difference F-statistics simulated (null hypothesis; Lastly, reflect dataset, covers ~57% families zoogeographic realms existing challenges single markers (Carling Brumfield 2007), including real possibility genome-wide specific functionally parts genome, relationship explored paper, concords long-standing expectations literature findings meta-analyses smaller subsets taxa Willoughby 2015) nuclear (allozymes, microsatellites, minisatellites), other genes (Petit-Marty Species-level capture greatest concern. Nonetheless, present proportion birds, causing them, theory, more rapidly changing conditions their status, alone, indicates As techniques get cheaper, inclusion measures likely near-term prospect conservation. Future research aim integrate large-scale field-work campaigns strategic sequencing contemporary historical specimens biological collections, order unravel eco-evolutionary determinants increased thank Jonathan Kennedy technical support guidance. Melling allowing us his tit. This funded Australian Research Council funding (grant no. FT140101192, DP180102392), awarded DAF, VILLUM FONDEN 25925) CR, DFF project DEMOCHANGE 8021-00282B) DNB. Elisabetta Canteri: conceptualization (equal); curation formal analysis (lead); writing - original draft review edit (equal). Damien A. Fordham: acquisition supervision Sen Li: investigation software Peter Hosner: Carsten Rahbek: David Nogues-Bravo: peer article . Data Dryad Digital Repository: (Canteri Please note: publisher responsible content functionality any supporting information supplied authors. Any queries (other missing content) directed corresponding author article.