Identification of Source Population for Greenland Canada Geese: Genetic Assessment of a Recent Colonization

• Published in: The Condor
• Main Authors: Scribner, Kim T., Malecki, Richard A., Batt, Bruce D. J., Inman, Rainy L., Libants, Scot, Prince, Harold H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press (OUP) 2003
• Subjects: Canada; Greenland; Ungava Bay; Branta canadensis; Groenlandia; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/condor/105.4.771; http://academic.oup.com/condor/article-pdf/105/4/771/29711249/condor0771.pdf

Abstract We used microsatellite markers, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and satellite telemetry to infer the North American geographic origin and racial composition of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) from newly colonized habitats in Greenland. Using likelihood-based assignment tests we determined that multilocus genotypes of Greenland Canada Geese were consistent with the hypothesis of origin from birds of the Atlantic Population breeding around southern Ungava Bay, Quebec, Canada. The Atlantic Population, based on previous studies of seasonal movements and demography, appeared to be reproductively isolated from the North Atlantic Population. We found that these two populations were genetically differentiated based on microsatellite allele and mtDNA haplotype frequencies. Findings of high levels of genetic discordance among North American breeding populations are consistent with migratory movements, despite high levels of distributional overlap of birds from the North Atlantic and Atlantic Populations during migration and on wintering areas. Findings based on genetic markers were concordant with satellite telemetry conducted during spring migration, which showed that birds destined for Greenland migrate through the southern Ungava Bay breeding colony. Genetic differences among these populations are useful for addressing other issues of ecological or management concern. Identificación de la Población Fuente de los Gansos Branta canadensis de Groenlandia: Evaluación Genética de una Colonización Reciente Resumen. Utilizamos marcadores microsatélites, ADN mitocondrial (ADNmt), y telemetría de satélite para inferir el origen geográfico en Norte América y la composición racial de los gansos Branta canadensis en hábitats recientemente colonizados en Groenlandia. Mediante pruebas de asignación basadas en verosimilitud, determinamos que los genotipos multilocus de los gansos de Groenlandia eran consistentes con la hipótesis de origen de aves de la población del Atlántico que se reproduce alrededor del sur de Ungava Bay, ...