Genetic diversity of the critically endangered Blue‐crowned laughingthrush ( Garrulax courtoisi )

To evaluate the genetic quality and provide available management strategies for Blue‐crowned laughingthrush (BCLT), fifteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed and applied. The genetic diversity of wild individuals was indicated to be higher than the two captive populations. The average number of alleles (5.50 ± 0.317), the number of effective alleles (3.417 ± 0.222), observed heterozygosity (0.828 ± 0.04), and genetic differentiation index (0.028 ± 0.007) of 64 wild individuals showed high genetic diversity despite drastic bottleneck and low genetic differentiation. The number of effective migrants (22.737 ± 8.318) indicated the intriguing wintering grounds may be surrounded by the breeding sites where the syncheimadia occurred in Wuyuan. Efficient conservation, winter flocking, and cooperative breeding may facilitate gene exchange and inclusive fitness. We recommend that monitoring concentrated distribution areas for BCLT should be strengthened, and geographical barriers, interference types, and the inner mechanism of distribution patterns should be further explored. 本研究开发了15个多态性微卫星位点, 并将其应用于蓝冠噪鹛（BCLT）的遗传质量评估和有效管理策略的制定。研究发现，蓝冠噪鹛野生种群的遗传多样性水平高于两个圈养种群。64只野生个体的平均等位基因数（5.50 ± 0.317）、有效等位基因数（3.417 ± 0.222）、观察杂合度（0.828 ± 0.04）和遗传分化指数（0.028 ± 0.007）等参数显示种群仍然具有较高的遗传多样性，尽管瓶颈现象严重，遗传分化程度低。基因流指数（22.737 ± 8.318）表明婺源地区是最具有吸引力的越冬地可能被蓝冠噪鹛的繁殖点所环绕，这些繁殖点正是越冬集群发生的区域。有效的保护、冬季集群和合作繁殖可能提高了蓝冠噪鹛的基因交流和广义适应度。我们建议加强对蓝冠噪鹛集中分布区的监测，同时需要进一步探究其地理阻隔、干扰类型及分布格局的内在形成机制。 Researchers or biologists can utilize the newly developed microsatellite markers to carry out individual identification, paternity test, or genetic diversity analysis for BCLT and other Leiothrichidae birds. Population genetic estimates in this study could provide a reference to predict the evolutionary potential or extinction risk of the BCLTs. The regional genetic signature generated in this study may be used by wildlife researchers or forest administration to strengthen the genetic management and corridor construction of habitat.