Genetic variability and population structure of the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) in the northern limit of its distribution
Restricted movement among populations decreases genetic variation, which may be the case for the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae), a small game bird that rarely flies long distances. In the northern limit of its distribution, it inhabits oak-juniper-pine savannas of Arizona, New Mexico, and Tex...
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PeerJ Inc.
2023-12-01
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| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/16585.pdf |
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| author | Eduardo Sánchez-Murrieta Alberto Macías-Duarte Reyna A. Castillo-Gámez Alejandro Varela-Romero Angel B. Montoya James H. Weaver Nohelia G. Pacheco-Hoyos |
| author_facet | Eduardo Sánchez-Murrieta Alberto Macías-Duarte Reyna A. Castillo-Gámez Alejandro Varela-Romero Angel B. Montoya James H. Weaver Nohelia G. Pacheco-Hoyos |
| author_sort | Eduardo Sánchez-Murrieta |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Restricted movement among populations decreases genetic variation, which may be the case for the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae), a small game bird that rarely flies long distances. In the northern limit of its distribution, it inhabits oak-juniper-pine savannas of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Understanding genetic structure can provide information about the demographic history of populations that is also important for conservation and management. The objective of this study was to determine patterns of genetic variation in Montezuma quail populations using nine DNA microsatellite loci. We genotyped 119 individuals from four study populations: Arizona, Western New Mexico, Central New Mexico, and West Texas. Compared to other quail, heterozygosity was low ( ${\bar H_0}$H¯0 = 0.22 ± 0.04) and there were fewer alleles per locus (Ā = 2.41 ± 0.27). The global population genetic differentiation index RST = 0.045 suggests little genetic structure, even though a Bayesian allocation analysis suggested three genetic clusters (K = 3). This analysis also suggested admixture between clusters. Nevertheless, an isolation-by-distance analysis indicates a strong correlation (r = 0.937) and moderate evidence (P = 0.032) of non-independence between geographical and genetic distances. Climate change projections indicate an increase in aridity for this region, especially in temperate ecosystems where the species occurs. In this scenario, corridors between the populations may disappear, thus causing their complete isolation. |
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-62013038d8b2405baaa62031c4dc6ea1 |
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| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:13:38Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
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| series | PeerJ |
| spelling | doaj.art-62013038d8b2405baaa62031c4dc6ea12023-12-10T15:05:20ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592023-12-0111e1658510.7717/peerj.16585Genetic variability and population structure of the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) in the northern limit of its distributionEduardo Sánchez-Murrieta0Alberto Macías-Duarte1Reyna A. Castillo-Gámez2Alejandro Varela-Romero3Angel B. Montoya4James H. Weaver5Nohelia G. Pacheco-Hoyos6Maestría en Biociencias, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora, MexicoCuerpo Académico de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Estatal de Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora, MexicoDepartamento de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora, MexicoDepartamento de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora, MexicoPartners for Fish and Wildlife Program, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of AmericaTexas Parks and Wildlife Department, Fort Davis, Texas, United States of AmericaDepartamento de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora, MexicoRestricted movement among populations decreases genetic variation, which may be the case for the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae), a small game bird that rarely flies long distances. In the northern limit of its distribution, it inhabits oak-juniper-pine savannas of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Understanding genetic structure can provide information about the demographic history of populations that is also important for conservation and management. The objective of this study was to determine patterns of genetic variation in Montezuma quail populations using nine DNA microsatellite loci. We genotyped 119 individuals from four study populations: Arizona, Western New Mexico, Central New Mexico, and West Texas. Compared to other quail, heterozygosity was low ( ${\bar H_0}$H¯0 = 0.22 ± 0.04) and there were fewer alleles per locus (Ā = 2.41 ± 0.27). The global population genetic differentiation index RST = 0.045 suggests little genetic structure, even though a Bayesian allocation analysis suggested three genetic clusters (K = 3). This analysis also suggested admixture between clusters. Nevertheless, an isolation-by-distance analysis indicates a strong correlation (r = 0.937) and moderate evidence (P = 0.032) of non-independence between geographical and genetic distances. Climate change projections indicate an increase in aridity for this region, especially in temperate ecosystems where the species occurs. In this scenario, corridors between the populations may disappear, thus causing their complete isolation.https://peerj.com/articles/16585.pdfGenetic structureMontezuma quailDispersionIsolation by distanceCyrtonyx montezumaeDNA microsatellites |
| spellingShingle | Eduardo Sánchez-Murrieta Alberto Macías-Duarte Reyna A. Castillo-Gámez Alejandro Varela-Romero Angel B. Montoya James H. Weaver Nohelia G. Pacheco-Hoyos Genetic variability and population structure of the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) in the northern limit of its distribution PeerJ Genetic structure Montezuma quail Dispersion Isolation by distance Cyrtonyx montezumae DNA microsatellites |
| title | Genetic variability and population structure of the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) in the northern limit of its distribution |
| title_full | Genetic variability and population structure of the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) in the northern limit of its distribution |
| title_fullStr | Genetic variability and population structure of the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) in the northern limit of its distribution |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genetic variability and population structure of the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) in the northern limit of its distribution |
| title_short | Genetic variability and population structure of the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) in the northern limit of its distribution |
| title_sort | genetic variability and population structure of the montezuma quail cyrtonyx montezumae in the northern limit of its distribution |
| topic | Genetic structure Montezuma quail Dispersion Isolation by distance Cyrtonyx montezumae DNA microsatellites |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/16585.pdf |
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