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Flyway structure in the circumpolar greater white-fronted goose
Robert E Wilson1,2, Craig R Ely1, Sandra L Talbot1
1Alaska Science Center U. S. Geological Survey Anchorage Alaska.
Ecology and Evolution
|September 26, 2018
Summary
Genetic analysis reveals distinct maternal lineages in greater white-fronted geese aligning with migratory flyways, but nuclear DNA suggests a largely panmictic population across the Arctic, indicating complex population structure.
Area of Science:
- * Population genetics
- * Avian ecology
- * Evolutionary biology
Background:
- * Dispersal and migration patterns significantly influence genetic diversity distribution in species.
- * Waterfowl management in North America relies on distinct migratory flyways, supported by empirical data.
- * The greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) is a circumpolar migratory species with recognized subspecies.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate the rangewide population genetic structure of greater white-fronted geese.
- * To assess the concordance between genetic data and established migratory flyways.
- * To evaluate the genetic distinctness of recognized subspecies.
Main Methods:
- * Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequencing.
- * Microsatellite loci analysis.
- * Sampling across 23 locales in North America and Eurasia.
Main Results:
- * Significant genetic differentiation was observed in mtDNA, with flyway delineation explaining ~12% of variation.
- * Band recovery data corroborated limited interflyway and intercontinental movements.
- * Microsatellite loci indicated a largely panmictic population across the Arctic, suggesting a common Beringian origin and recent divergence.
- * Distinct genetic support was found for the subspecies Anser albifrons elgasi (Cook Inlet) and Anser albifrons flavirostris (Greenland).
Conclusions:
- * Mitochondrial DNA data supports the role of migratory flyways in structuring greater white-fronted goose populations.
- * Nuclear genetic markers suggest limited population structure across the Arctic, possibly due to a shared Beringian ancestry and recent divergence.
- * The findings support the subspecies status of isolated populations in Cook Inlet and Greenland but offer less support for other proposed taxonomic divisions.
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