engleski

Hybridisation in European ungulates: an overview of the current status, causes and consequences

Hybridization and gene introgression are important sources of diversification, whose relevance in the evolutionary processes is well recognized. Their fitness consequences in animal populations, however, are not sufficiently well understood, despite hybridization rates that have become increasingly important worldwide, following human-related activities such as domestication, game management and habitat alteration. In Europe, the density and distribution of native ungulates have been largely influenced by humans since pre-historic times. This, alongside the introduction of non-native and domesticated species, may bear major consequences at the genetic and population levels. Here we provide an updated overview of recent hybridization events in wild European ungulates, with a description of their ecological drivers, extent, current distribution, potential consequences and proposed management strategies. We reviewed the scientific literature between 2000 and 2018 and found confirmed hybridization in 75 of 89 screened references, involving nearly all investigated species. Most papers relied on genetic information for hybrid identification, which often involved a domestic counterpart. However, introductions and translocations also led to cross-breeding between wild ungulate (sub)species. Only 43 papers provided management recommendations, mostly focused on preventing hybridization and removing hybrids. Hybridization proved relatively common across several ungulate taxa in Europe. Despite reported changes in phenotype and fitness-related traits in some species, consequences of hybridization on adaptation, life history and evolutionary potential remain largely unknown. The current conservation paradigm aims to prevent the spread of domestic or non-native genes in native populations ; accordingly, conservation plans should (i) determine the genetic origin of possible source populations ; (ii) protect native populations from the risk of crossbreeding with non-native ones, and (iii) establish permanent monitoring.

crossbreeding, European ungulates, gene introgression, hybridization, wildlife management

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