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Temporal variation in genetic structure within the threatened spectacled eider

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Abstract

We examined the genetic structure of the threatened spectacled eider 14–18 years after the initial assessment to evaluate the influence of population recovery on diversity. Concordant with the initial assessment, spectacled eiders were highly structured at mitochondrial (mt) DNA and lacked differentiation at microsatellite loci. The degree and spatial pattern of structure has changed at mtDNA; a 33.0–40.3% reduction in overall FST and ΦST, respectively, and a marked reduction in pairwise FST (− 83.1 to − 91.4%) among Alaska sites. Reduction in genetic structure is suggestive of increased female dispersal within Alaska. These findings highlight the importance of reevaluating genetic diversity as species recover from declines as microevolutionary and demographic processes are dynamic and continually shape associations among populations.

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Acknowledgements

Funding was provided by Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fairbanks. Logistic and transportation to Chaun-Delta camp was provided by Chukotka Gold Mining Co. Blood samples were collected under USGS Alaska Science Center ACUC assurance plan code 2008-04. We thank the biologists and technicians who assisted with this project. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA

    Sarah Sonsthagen, Christy Haughey, Matthew Sexson & Margaret Petersen

  2. Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA

    Matthew Sexson

  3. Institute of Biological Problems of the North, Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Portovava 18, Magadan, Russia, 685000

    Diana Solovyeva

  4. U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA

    Abby Powell

  5. U.S. Geological Survey, Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and Department of Wildlife and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Abby Powell

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  1. Sarah Sonsthagen
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  2. Christy Haughey
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  3. Matthew Sexson
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  4. Diana Solovyeva
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  5. Margaret Petersen
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  6. Abby Powell
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Correspondence to Sarah Sonsthagen.

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Sonsthagen, S., Haughey, C., Sexson, M. et al. Temporal variation in genetic structure within the threatened spectacled eider. Conserv Genet 21, 175–179 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-019-01234-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-019-01234-9

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