High Gene Flow Despite Urbanization: Genetic Diversity and Structure of the Eastern Spotted Dove () in Jiangsu Province, China and Implications for Releasing Confiscated Individuals

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Eastern Spotted Dove () is a widespread human‐commensal bird, frequently involved in wildlife law enforcement cases. Following such cases, confiscated individuals are often released back into the wild, yet the potential genetic impacts of these releases remain unclear due to limited understanding of the species' population genetic structure in China. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of Eastern Spotted Doves in Jiangsu Province to provide a scientific basis for the management of confiscated individuals. This study analyzed the genetic diversity and structure of 139 individuals from 13 sampling sites across five avian geographical regions in Jiangsu Province, China, using mitochondrial cytochrome b () and Displacement loop () sequences, and explored the impact of urbanization on genetic differentiation. A total of 49 haplotypes were detected. The samples exhibited high haplotype diversity (= 0.896) but low nucleotide diversity (= 0.00216). The maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree showed that no geographical clustering, and the haplotype network displayed a star‐shaped topology with core haplotypes shared across all regions. AMOVA revealed that genetic differentiation among groups was negligible and non‐significant, regardless of grouping by geography or urbanization level. Pairwisevalues were close to zero and non‐significant, while gene flow estimates () exceeded 28 in all comparisons. These findings indicate that the Eastern Spotted Doves in Jiangsu Province lack significant population genetic structure, with strong gene flow maintained across regions. The species' high adaptability to urban environments and dispersal capacity likely sustain genetic connectivity. From a mitochondrial genetic perspective, the in situ or proximate release of confiscated individuals within Jiangsu Province poses minimal genetic contamination risk. However, validation using nuclear markers, such as microsatellites or single nucleotide polymorphisms, is recommended. This study reveals high haplotype diversity but low nucleotide diversity in Eastern Spotted Dove () populations across Jiangsu Province, China, based on mitochondrial Cytb and D‐loop sequences from 139 individuals. Despite sampling from 13 sites spanning five geographical regions and varying urbanization levels, genetic analyses—including phylogenetic trees, haplotype networks, AMOVA, and pairwise FST—indicate negligible and non‐significant differentiation, with high gene flow (> 14) maintaining genetic homogeneity. These results suggest strong dispersal and urban adaptability in the species, implying low risk of genetic contamination from in‐province release of confiscated individuals, though nuclear marker validation is advised. graphical