Eco. Env. & Cons. 19 (3) : 2013; pp. (891-897) Copyright@ EM International ISSN 0971–765X Article-48 *Corresponding author’s email: fgbogbo@ug.edu.gh Mitochondrial DNA density of peripheral white blood cells as a possible bio-marker of migratory status in partially migrating bird populations Augustine Ocloo 1 , Lars H. Holbech 2 and Francis Gbogbo 2, * 1 Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana 2 Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana (Received 6 May, 2013; accepted 30 May, 2013) ABSTRACT With the novelty of bird banding, radar studies, satellite tracking and systematic field observations, major advances have been made in understanding the complexity of bird migration. However, in the quest to determine the migratory status of individuals in partially migrating bird populations, most of these meth- ods come with major disadvantages. Given that the proportion of migrants and non-migrants in partial migration populations could indicate trends in the success of the migratory process and the selection pres- sure on migratory bird populations, the need for research into identifying an affordable and direct method of determining the migratory status of partial migrants cannot be overemphasized. This paper generates a new platform for research into distinguishing individuals in a partially migratory populations based on acquired differences in mitochondrial biogenesis. The complexity of this kind of research and the variety of skills required for its execution, calls for the promotion of the idea. Key words : Partial migration, Birds, Mitochondrial energy metabolism, Biomarker. Introduction Animals repeating a yearly round trip between breeding and non-breeding areas are considered to be migratory. If all the members of a population leave their breeding habitat for a migratory destina- tion, the migration is termed ‘total’ as opposed to ‘partial migration’, in which only some members of the population migrate from the breeding area (Sinclair 1983; Terrill & Able 1988; Berthold 2001). A partially migrating bird population may con- sist of mixed sub-populations of obligatory migrants and obligatory residents such that individuals ex- hibit a particular choice throughout life (Berthold 2001, Gill 2007). It may also consist of facultative migrants in which migration is optional for indi- viduals leading to alternation of choices (Terrill & Able 1988; Berthold 2001; Newton 2010). Partial mi- gration is believed to be the most widespread form of bird migration and occurs in a wide range of bird taxa including Bohemian Waxwings (Bombycilla gar- rulous), European Robins (Erithacus rubecula), Black- caps (Sylvia atricapilla), Central European Blackbird (Turdus merula) (Berthold 2001; Gill 2007; Newton 2010) and several species of waders such as the Black-Winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), Com- mon Ringed Plover ( Charadrius hiaticula ), Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) Eurasian Oyster- catcher ( Haematopus ostralegus). (Berthold 2001; O’brien et al. 2006). Some additions to the list of par- tially migrating waders include Purple Sandpiper ( Calidris maritime ), Black-tailed Godwit ( Limosa limosa), Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata), Com- mon Redshank (Tringa totanus), Common greens-