Population genetics of two North American passerines with mixed migration strategies
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Date
2022
Authors
Schramm, Danika
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : Dept. of Biological Sciences
Abstract
This thesis used molecular markers to examine population genetics of two North
American passerines. My study focused on golden-crowned kinglets and red-breasted
nuthatches, forest dwelling birds with migratory and resident populations. I used
restriction site-associated DNA sequencing to analyse single nucleotide polymorphisms
in both species. Additionally, I used microsatellite markers to study red-breasted nuthatch
populations. Golden-crowned kinglets show an east-west split caused by their time in
multiple glacial refugia during the Pleistocene. I also examined differences between their
resident and migratory populations and identified potential candidate genes for migration.
In red-breasted nuthatches, I found little population structure despite their large range.
However, some differentiation is present in peripheral populations. They likely
experienced rapid expansion from one glacial refugium following the Pleistocene and
gene flow between populations is maintained by irruptive migrations. My thesis provides
an example of how species develop different genetic patterns in response to historical and
contemporary processes.
Description
Keywords
population genetics , passerines , golden-crowned kinglets , red-breasted nuthatches , migratory populations , resident populations , barriers to gene flow , molecular markers , Animal population genetics , Passeriformes--North America , Golden-crowned kinglet--Research , Golden-crowned kinglet--Genetics , Golden-crowned kinglet--Migration , Nuthatches--Research , Nuthatches--Genetics , Nuthatches--Migration , Genetic polymorphisms , Dissertations, Academic