Coast to coast: High genomic connectivity in North American scoters
Abstract Dispersal shapes demographic processes and therefore is fundamental to understanding biological, ecological, and evolutionary processes acting within populations. However, assessing population connectivity in scoters (Melanitta sp.) is challenging as these species have large spatial distrib...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2019-06-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5297 |
| _version_ | 1818314341357715456 |
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| author | Sarah A. Sonsthagen Robert E. Wilson Philip Lavretsky Sandra L. Talbot |
| author_facet | Sarah A. Sonsthagen Robert E. Wilson Philip Lavretsky Sandra L. Talbot |
| author_sort | Sarah A. Sonsthagen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Dispersal shapes demographic processes and therefore is fundamental to understanding biological, ecological, and evolutionary processes acting within populations. However, assessing population connectivity in scoters (Melanitta sp.) is challenging as these species have large spatial distributions that span remote landscapes, have varying nesting distributions (disjunct vs. continuous), exhibit unknown levels of dispersal, and vary in the timing of the formation of pair bonds (winter vs. fall/spring migration) that may influence the distribution of genetic diversity. Here, we used double‐digest restriction‐associated DNA sequence (ddRAD) and microsatellite genotype data to assess population structure within the three North American species of scoter (black scoter, M. americana; white‐winged scoter, M. deglandi; surf scoter, M. perspicillata), and between their European congeners (common scoter, M. nigra; velvet scoter, M. fusca). We uncovered no or weak genomic structure (ddRAD ΦST < 0.019; microsatellite FST < 0.004) within North America but high levels of structure among European congeners (ddRAD ΦST > 0.155, microsatellite FST > 0.086). The pattern of limited genomic structure within North America is shared with other sea duck species and is often attributed to male‐biased dispersal. Further, migratory tendencies (east vs. west) of female surf and white‐winged scoters in central Canada are known to vary across years, providing additional opportunities for intracontinental dispersal and a mechanism for the maintenance of genomic connectivity across North America. In contrast, the black scoter had relatively elevated levels of divergence between Alaska and Atlantic sites and a second genetic cluster found in Alaska at ddRAD loci was concordant with its disjunct breeding distribution suggestive of a dispersal barrier (behavioral or physical). Although scoter populations appear to be connected through a dispersal network, a small percentage (<4%) of ddRAD loci had elevated divergence which may be useful in linking areas (nesting, molting, staging, and wintering) throughout the annual cycle. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T08:48:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1d0c899864ee4b8fb3075155ceee1465 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T08:48:06Z |
| publishDate | 2019-06-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-1d0c899864ee4b8fb3075155ceee14652022-12-21T23:53:24ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582019-06-019127246726110.1002/ece3.5297Coast to coast: High genomic connectivity in North American scotersSarah A. Sonsthagen0Robert E. Wilson1Philip Lavretsky2Sandra L. Talbot3US Geological Survey Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Dr. Anchorage AlaskaUS Geological Survey Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Dr. Anchorage AlaskaUS Geological Survey Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Dr. Anchorage AlaskaUS Geological Survey Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Dr. Anchorage AlaskaAbstract Dispersal shapes demographic processes and therefore is fundamental to understanding biological, ecological, and evolutionary processes acting within populations. However, assessing population connectivity in scoters (Melanitta sp.) is challenging as these species have large spatial distributions that span remote landscapes, have varying nesting distributions (disjunct vs. continuous), exhibit unknown levels of dispersal, and vary in the timing of the formation of pair bonds (winter vs. fall/spring migration) that may influence the distribution of genetic diversity. Here, we used double‐digest restriction‐associated DNA sequence (ddRAD) and microsatellite genotype data to assess population structure within the three North American species of scoter (black scoter, M. americana; white‐winged scoter, M. deglandi; surf scoter, M. perspicillata), and between their European congeners (common scoter, M. nigra; velvet scoter, M. fusca). We uncovered no or weak genomic structure (ddRAD ΦST < 0.019; microsatellite FST < 0.004) within North America but high levels of structure among European congeners (ddRAD ΦST > 0.155, microsatellite FST > 0.086). The pattern of limited genomic structure within North America is shared with other sea duck species and is often attributed to male‐biased dispersal. Further, migratory tendencies (east vs. west) of female surf and white‐winged scoters in central Canada are known to vary across years, providing additional opportunities for intracontinental dispersal and a mechanism for the maintenance of genomic connectivity across North America. In contrast, the black scoter had relatively elevated levels of divergence between Alaska and Atlantic sites and a second genetic cluster found in Alaska at ddRAD loci was concordant with its disjunct breeding distribution suggestive of a dispersal barrier (behavioral or physical). Although scoter populations appear to be connected through a dispersal network, a small percentage (<4%) of ddRAD loci had elevated divergence which may be useful in linking areas (nesting, molting, staging, and wintering) throughout the annual cycle.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5297connectivitydispersalgenetic structureMelanittapopulation genomicssea ducks |
| spellingShingle | Sarah A. Sonsthagen Robert E. Wilson Philip Lavretsky Sandra L. Talbot Coast to coast: High genomic connectivity in North American scoters Ecology and Evolution connectivity dispersal genetic structure Melanitta population genomics sea ducks |
| title | Coast to coast: High genomic connectivity in North American scoters |
| title_full | Coast to coast: High genomic connectivity in North American scoters |
| title_fullStr | Coast to coast: High genomic connectivity in North American scoters |
| title_full_unstemmed | Coast to coast: High genomic connectivity in North American scoters |
| title_short | Coast to coast: High genomic connectivity in North American scoters |
| title_sort | coast to coast high genomic connectivity in north american scoters |
| topic | connectivity dispersal genetic structure Melanitta population genomics sea ducks |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5297 |
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