Low genetic diversity in captive populations of the critically endangered Blue-crowned Laughingthrush (Garrulax courtoisi) revealed by a panel of novel microsatellites.

This study offers a genetic tool and consequently reveals a low level of genetic diversity within populations of a critically endangered bird species. Furthermore, our results indicate that we cannot exclude the probability that the origin of the Hong Kong captive population was the wild population from Wuyuan. These results provide valuable knowledge that can help improve conservation management and planning for both captive and wild Blue-crowned Laughingthrush populations.