Supplementary.zip

This zipped file contains 5 parts after extraction:1- supplementary_1.txt (AFLP codes)2- supplementary_2.xlsx (biometric dataset)3- supplementary_3.docx (delta K graph)4- supplementary_4.txt (web address for "adegenet" R package code and script for AFLP data set)5- supplementary_4.zip (3 files for "adegenet" R package code and script for AFLP data set)6- supplementary_5.docx (AFLP capillary peak samples)Hybridization with non-native related taxa, especially with introgression, could be a major conservation problem, as it might disturb local adaptations, resulting in population reduction and biodiversity loss. It is important to identify hybrid individuals, which can be difficult to break up morphologically. Using morphometric and genetic approach (multivariate analysis, microsatellite and AFLP) , this research attempts to classify interaction and the prevalence of introgressive hybridization in four native pheasant subspecies of <i>Phasianus colchicus</i> with non-native <i>P. c. torquatus</i>. According to PCA and CDF results, hybrid individuals are placed between these two major groups of native and exotic birds. Also, we assessed the population structure, genetic variation, and gene flow between native subspecies and exotic pheasant using 16 microsatellite loci in 129 samples. Our findings revealed that hybridization occurred between two native subspecies, <i>P. c. talischensis and P. c. persicus</i>, and exotic subspecies <i>(P. c. torquatus)</i>. The <i>persicus</i> hybrid observation was almost 3 times higher than <i>talischensis</i>. The levels of the genetic variation within and among the natural populations were investigated using the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers method to identify hybrids. A total of 202 distinct bands were amplified using four primer combinations, with 179 of them being polymorphic. AMOVA analysis revealed a low degree of genetic differentiation among the populations. The hybrid samples were closely related to the <i>P. c. talischensis</i> and <i>P. c. persicus</i> populations, according to the UPGMA cluster and discriminant analysis of principal componenets (DAPC). It appears that disruption of gene flow between pheasant populations in the Hyrcanian zone is a serious issue. The data from molecular markers prompted us to raise a concern about the genetic integrity in some native subspecies in the Iranian plateau. As a result, a clear cut-level can now be used to differentiate the hybrids, which is also supported by morphological evidence. A direct relationship was found between farmed pheasant and hybrid growth. Farmed individuals should be closely monitored, and non-native taxa should not be released into the wild.