Genetic diversity and conservation implications for European Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus): Insights from mitochondrial D-loop HVR1

This study investigated the genetic diversity of Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) from two South - East European, and seven Mediterranean countries and islands, including Spain, which hosts the largest European population. Our sample, comprising 249 newly generated plus 92 public D-loop sequences, is the largest dataset so far analyzed for this species. We identified 14 novel haplotypes, with Hpt-A being predominant across populations. Exclusive haplotypes have been identified in the populations from Spain, Serbia, Israel, Croatia, and Sardinia, suggesting them as worthy of targeted conservation programs to preserve such haplotypes. Principal coordinate analysis identified a big cluster composed of populations from continental Europe and the Aegean islands that were clearly differentiated from Western Mediterranean and Middle East populations. This structure would suggest the Serbian population is potentially a good source for restocking efforts in the Eastern Mediterranean. In addition, results indicated that historical restocking actions with Spanish individuals have significantly influenced genetic composition in the insular population of Sardinia, and provided evidence consistent with possible hybridization between Griffon and Rüppell's Vultures (Gyps rueppellii) in Spain. This raises concerns about the use of non-genotyped Spanish individuals for restocking in populations like the Eastern Mediterranean ones, where contact zones between the two species have never been reported.