Genetic variation across the historical range of the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Abstract

Genetic differences within and among naturally occurring populations of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were characterized across five subspecies' historical ranges using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis, microsatellite loci and mitochondrial control region sequencing. Current subspecific designations based on morphological traits were generally supported by these analyses, with the exception of the eastern (M. g. silvestris) and Florida (M. g. osceola) subspecies, which consistently formed a single unit. The Gould's subspecies was both the most genetically divergent and the least genetically diverse of the subspecies. These genetic patterns were consistent with current and historical patterns of habitat continuity. Merriam's populations showed a positive association between genetic and geographical distance, Rio Grande populations showed a weaker association and the eastern populations showed none, suggesting differing demographic forces at work in these subspecies. We recommend managing turkeys to maintain subspecies integrity, while recognizing the importance of maintaining regional population structure that may reflect important adaptive variation.

Ancient mitochondrial DNA analysis reveals complexity of indigenous North American turkey domestication

“…4 and Fig. S1) (15,16). The most common H1 haplotype observed in the archaeological samples (aHap1) also occurs at a low frequency (<4% of tested individuals) in present-day populations of Merriam's wild turkeys (Fig.…”

“…On the basis of the mtDNA evidence collected in this study, it is not possible to assign the wild progenitor of the H1 Southwest domestic turkey to either M. g. silvestris or M. g. intermedia. Although present-day Eastern and Rio Grande wild turkeys can usually be differentiated phenotypically (21), mtDNA analysis indicates that the subspecies do not form distinct phylogenetic clades (15). The lack of strong phylogeographic patterning may be in part, a result of drastic changes in the numbers and habitats of North American wild turkeys over the last century, including decimation of wild turkey populations beginning in the 16th century and culminating with increased hunting during the 1930s depression.…”

“…Moreover, the trap-and-transplant programs implemented by the National Wild Turkey Federation 1950s conservation movement transplanted birds from some subspecies far outside their natural range. However, even "relic" populations of wild turkeys, with no history of extirpation or human-mediated reintroductions, show limited phylogeographic subspecies patterning (15,16), which may also reflect a postglacial colonization into a relatively continuous habitat, especially for the Eastern and Rio Grande subspecies (15). These two subspecies do not cluster in monophyletic clades, but share several common haplotypes with each (15,16).…”

A locus-wide approach to assessing variation in the avian MHC: the B-locus of the wild turkey

“…The eastern subspecies (M. g. silvestris), has the largest geographical distribution occurring from the east coast through the Great Plains; Merriam's (M. g. merriami), is located in parts of Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona; and the Rio Grande subspecies (M. g. intermedia), is present in most of Texas and parts of northern Mexico. DNA samples were from 11 different locations, representing a subset of samples examined by Mock et al (2002), Latch et al (2002) and a hunter harvested bird from Winona, MN, USA were used in this study. Samples from the populations studied by Mock et al (2002) were relict, native populations, with presumably higher sequence diversity.…”

“…DNA samples were from 11 different locations, representing a subset of samples examined by Mock et al (2002), Latch et al (2002) and a hunter harvested bird from Winona, MN, USA were used in this study. Samples from the populations studied by Mock et al (2002) were relict, native populations, with presumably higher sequence diversity. Individuals were sequenced at nine interspersed locations across the MHC-B region (Figure 1, Supplementary Table S2) as previously described (Chaves et al, 2010).…”