Restriction fragment analysis of mitochondrial DNA in Common Murres, Uria aalge , from four Norwegian seabird colonies

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Moum, Truls, Erikstad, Kjell Einar, Bjørklid, Eirik
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1991
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Uria aalge; uria
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z91-221; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z91-221

Alcid species (auks) breed in a restricted number of large seabird colonies and are considered highly philopatric. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of Common Murres, Uria aalge, from four Norwegian colonies was investigated by restriction analysis to assess the amount of geographic population structure and genetic variability in a colonial breeder. Eleven restriction endonucleases revealed 13 mtDNA genotypes among 51 individuals. Genetic diversity was low, with an average of 0.11% (range 0.0–0.55%) sequence divergence between all individuals. Population divergence within the surveyed region seems to be minimal, demonstrated by the low levels of sequence divergence between colonies and lack of spatial structuring of genotypes. Such results can be expected if birds originated from a smaller ancestral population during glaciation, and may have been reinforced by repeated population bottlenecks and considerable gene flow between colonies.