Conservation Genetics

, Volume 8, Issue 6, pp 1339–1353 | Cite as

A rangewide population genetic study of trumpeter swans

  • S. J. Oyler-McCance
  • F. A. Ransler
  • L. K. Berkman
  • T. W. Quinn
Research Article
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

For management purposes, the range of naturally occurring trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator) has been divided into two populations, the Pacific Coast Population (PP) and the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP). Little is known about the distribution of genetic variation across the species’ range despite increasing pressure to make difficult management decisions regarding the two populations and flocks within them. To address this issue, we used rapidly evolving genetic markers (mitochondrial DNA sequence and 17 nuclear microsatellite loci) to elucidate the underlying genetic structure of the species. Data from both markers revealed a significant difference between the PP and RMP with the Yukon Territory as a likely area of overlap. Additionally, we found that the two populations have somewhat similar levels of genetic diversity (PP is slightly higher) suggesting that the PP underwent a population bottleneck similar to a well-documented one in the RMP. Both genetic structure and diversity results reveal that the Tri-State flock, a suspected unique, non-migratory flock, is not genetically different from the Canadian flock of the RMP and need not be treated as a unique population from a genetic standpoint. Finally, trumpeter swans appear to have much lower mitochondrial DNA variability than other waterfowl studied thus far which may suggest a previous, species-wide bottleneck.

Keywords

Trumpeter swan Cygnus buccinator Microsatellites mtDNA Gene flow Genetic diversity 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

Many individuals helped make this study possible. Thanks to G. Beyersbergen, S. Comeau, B. Conant, C. Damberg, R. Drewien, K. Dubois, D. Duncan, L. Glass, L. Hanauska-Brown, J. Johnson, S. Kittlesen, M. Linck, B. Long, N. Lyman, E. Malleck, T. McEneaney, S. Patla, M. Petrula, R. Shea, S. Rickenbaugh, J. Morton, L. Jowziak, C. Mitchell, T. Rothe, M. and Vrtiska for collecting samples. We thank A. Breault, R. Oates, R. Trost, and M. Vrtiska for coordinating collection of samples in their regions. J. St. John was integral to this project in countless ways including isolating the microsatellites, offering technical expertise, and graciously reading several drafts of this report. We would also like to thank H-P. Liu, J. Dubovsky, J. Cornely, and G. Ransler for providing editorial comments and constructive criticism on this manuscript. Funding for this project was provided by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Program and the U. S. Geological Survey through its Science Support Program.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2007

Authors and Affiliations

  • S. J. Oyler-McCance
    • 1
    • 2
  • F. A. Ransler
    • 2
  • L. K. Berkman
    • 2
  • T. W. Quinn
    • 2
  1. 1.U. S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science CenterFort CollinsUSA
  2. 2.Rocky Mountain Center for Conservation Genetics and Systematics, Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of DenverDenverUSA

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