Temporal Analysis of mtDNA Variation Reveals Decreased Genetic Diversity in Least Terns

The condor

Hope M. Draheim¹ 

关键词: Least Tern;    mitochondrial ND6 gene;    genetic variation;    museum specimens;    temporal analysis;    ancient DNA;   

DOI  :  10.1525/cond.2012.110007

学科分类：动物科学

来源: Central Ornithology Publication Office

【 摘 要 】

Abstract. The Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) has undergone large population declines over the last century as a result of direct and indirect anthropogenic factors. The genetic implications of these declines are unknown. We used historical museum specimens (pre-1960) and contemporary (2001–2005) samples to examine range-wide phylogeographic patterns and investigate potential loss in the species' genetic variation. We obtained sequences (522 bp) of the mitochondrial gene for NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) from 268 individuals from across the species' range. Phylogeographic analysis revealed no association with geography or traditional subspecies designations. However, we detected potential reductions in genetic diversity in contemporary samples from California and the Atlantic coast Least Tern from that in historical samples, suggesting that current genetic diversity in Least Tern populations is lower than in their pre-1960 counterparts. Our results offer unique insights into changes in the Least Ter...

【 授权许可】

CC BY