Naslov
Applicability of tarsus width measure for sex identification of white-tailed eagle nestlings in Central Danube

Autori
Mikuška, Alma ; Mikuska, Tibor ; Begović, Lidija ; Pospihalj, Tomislav

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), znanstveni

Izvornik
The collection of abstracts and short notes of the Sea-eagle 2017 conference. / Tamme, Asko - Elbiku : Eagle Club Estonia, 2017, 80-82

Skup
Sea-eagle 2017 Conference

Mjesto i datum
Roosta, Estonija, 05.10.2017. - 07.10.2017

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
: White-tailed eagle, nestling, sexing, tarsus width, morphometry Abstract

Sažetak
The aim of this study was to test the applicability of tarsus width measure recorded in field for sex identification on white-tailed eagle nestlings in Central Danube. Measure of tarsus width, as described by HELANDER ET AL. (J Ornithol. (2007) 148:435–442 ; DOI 10.1007/s10336-007-0156-y) allowed the correct identification of sex for 96% of the nestlings from southern and central Sweden, but not for the Lapland population thus it was suggested that criteria employed to separate sexes in field may have to be adjusted for each sub- population separately. We have measured 31 nestlings during 2016 and 2017 breeding seasons in Kopački rit wetlands. Tarsus width was measured in the field with digital calliper with the precision to 1/100 of mm. Sex of the nestlings was independently assessed based on DNA samples taken from blood feathers using sex-specific fragments of the CHD gene that were amplified by using primer pair 2550F/ 2718R. In total, 14 males and 17 females were determined based on DNA analysis with 1:1.2 sex ratio. Males had the tarsus width in range of 12.19-14.74 mm (average 13.17 mm), while females had the tarsus width in range of 12.83- 16.77 mm (average 14.70 mm). Proposed cut-off point of 13.8 mm allowed correct identification of only 78% of males and 70% of females, respectively. All nestlings with tarsus width bellow 12.8 mm were males, while all nestlings with tarsus width above 15 mm were females. White-tailed eagle nestlings in Central Danube floodplains had much wider overlap, ranging from 12.8-14.8 mm, which makes sex determination in field difficult.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA