Breeding populations of northern pintails have similar mitochondrial DNA

Northern pintails (Anas acuta) are highly nomadic, which may result in high levels of gene flow among nesting areas. To assess the extent of genetic differentiation among nesting areas, we analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation in northern pintail females from three regions: Alaska, California...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Zoology
Main Authors: Cronin, Matthew A., Grand, J. Barry, Esler, Daniel, Derksen, Dirk V., Scribner, Kim T.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1996
Subjects:
Animal Science and Zoology
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Anas acuta
Alaska
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z96-112
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z96-112
Description
Summary:Northern pintails (Anas acuta) are highly nomadic, which may result in high levels of gene flow among nesting areas. To assess the extent of genetic differentiation among nesting areas, we analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation in northern pintail females from three regions: Alaska, California, and midcontinent prairies and parklands. Abundant mtDNA variation was evident (20 genotypes among 289 birds), but there was no significant genetic differentiation of nesting areas within or among regions. Results indicate that pintails have had historically large breeding population sizes and a high rate of gene flow among North American nesting areas. Specific nesting areas are not independent units, but part of a larger continental population. High rates of gene flow suggest that over time, localized reductions in recruitment or survival may be compensated for by immigration.

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