Mitochondrial DNA Suggests High Gene Flow in Ancient Murrelets

Abstract

Ancient Murrelets (Synthliboramphus antiquus) are subarctic seabirds that breed on islands from British Columbia through Alaska to China. In this study, we used sequence variation in the mitochondrial control region and cytochrome b gene to estimate the extent of genetic differentiation and gene flow among populations both within British Columbia and across the North Pacific. Results suggest that genetic differentiation is low and female-mediated gene flow is high among colonies within British Columbia, in agreement with banding studies. Surprisingly, genetic differentiation appears to be low and gene flow high between British Columbia and Asia. The effective female population size appears to be stable, but the species may have undergone a range expansion. These results suggest that Ancient Murrelets from throughout the North Pacific may represent a single management unit for conservation. El ADN Mitocondrial Sugiere Alto Flujo Génico en Synthliboramphus antiquus Resumen. Synthliboramphus antiquus es una especie de ave marina subártica que se reproduce en islas desde British Columbia a través de Alaska hasta China. En este estudio estimamos el grado de diferenciación genética y de flujo génico entre poblaciones localizadas dentro de British Columbia y a través del Pacífico Norte. Nos basamos en la variación en secuencias de la región control y el gen citocromo b del ADN mitocondrial. Los resultados sugieren baja diferenciación genética y alto flujo génico mediado por las hembras entre las colonias de British Columbia, lo que es consistente con estudios de aves anilladas. Sorprendentemente, la diferenciación genética parece ser baja y el flujo génico alto entre British Columbia y Asia. El tamaño efectivo de la población de hembras parece estar estable, pero la especie podría haber expandido su rango de distribución. Estos resultados sugieren que los S. antiquus de todo el Pacífico Norte pueden representar una sola unidad de manejo en términos de conservación.

Population differentiation in whiskered auklets Aethia pygmaea: do diurnal and nocturnal colonies differ in genetics, morphometry and acoustics?

“…Other alcid species show more homogenous intraspecific structure. For example, previous work found no distinctive populations in crested auklet (Pshenichnikova et al ), ancient murrelets Synthliboramphus antiquus (Pearce et al ), dovekies Alle alle (Wojczulanis‐Jakubas et al ) or common murres Uria aalge (Moum and Arnason ). Our data suggests that the differentiation of the mitochondrial lineages of whiskered auklets took place during the Sangamonian interglacial period (115 000–130 000 years ago: Elias and Birgham‐Gretti 2013, Okhotsk group and Commander Is.…”

“…Seabirds provide excellent model systems for studying this issue, because adaptations for flight and the absence of obvious geographical barriers in oceans allow them to disperse evenly and breed far from their natal colonies (Dearborn et al 2003, Meyers and Stakebake 2005, Steeves et al 2005, 2015. However, many seabird species have very restricted breeding ranges, and many conspecific populations show geographic differences in vocalizations, body size, and plumage as well as strong genetic population structure (Birt-Friesen et al 1992, Friesen et al 1996a, b, 2005, Burg and Croxall 2001, Smith and Friesen 2007, Ibarguchi et al 2011, while others show little population differentiation (Moum et al 1991, Burg and Croxall 2001, Moum and Arnason 2001, Pearce et al 2002, Genovart et al 2003. Molecular genetic methods have now become one of the main instruments in the study of population structure, in some cases helping to reveal subspecies and cryptic species (Friesen et al 1996b, Smith and, which is important for successful conservation.…”

Inter‐island movements and population differentiation in a pelagic seabird

“…2000; Adelie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae , Roeder et al . 2001; ancient murrelets Synthliboramphus antiquus , Pearce et al . 2002).…”

First evidence of east–west migration across the North Pacific in a marine bird

“…We can speculate that the current migration route of Ancient Murrelets breeding in Haida Gwaii recapitulates the route taken in expanding their range from an original focus in East Asia, through the fringes of Beringia, to North America. An Asian origin for the Ancient Murrelet population of Haida Gwaii is supported, albeit tentatively, by population genetic data (Pearce et al 2002). However, this does not explain the origins of the birds seen off North America in wintera mystery which calls for the deployment of further positional devices on populations both in Haida Gwaii and elsewhere.…”

“…An Asian origin for the Ancient Murrelet population of Haida Gwaii is supported, albeit tentatively, by population genetic data (Pearce et al . ). However, this does not explain the origins of the birds seen off North America in winter – a mystery which calls for the deployment of further positional devices on populations both in Haida Gwaii and elsewhere.…”