Intercontinental genetic structure and gene flow in Dunlin ( Calidris alpina), a potential vector of avian influenza
Abstract Waterfowl (Anseriformes) and shorebirds (Charadriiformes) are the most common wild vectors of influenza A viruses. Due to their migratory behavior, some may transmit disease over long distances. Migratory connectivity studies can link breeding and nonbreeding grounds while illustrating pote...
Published in: | Evolutionary Applications |
---|---|
Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , |
Other Authors: | , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Wiley
2015
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/eva.12239 https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Feva.12239 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/eva.12239 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1111/eva.12239 |
Summary: | Abstract Waterfowl (Anseriformes) and shorebirds (Charadriiformes) are the most common wild vectors of influenza A viruses. Due to their migratory behavior, some may transmit disease over long distances. Migratory connectivity studies can link breeding and nonbreeding grounds while illustrating potential interactions among populations that may spread diseases. We investigated Dunlin ( C alidris alpina ), a shorebird with a subspecies ( C. a. arcticola ) that migrates from nonbreeding areas endemic to avian influenza in eastern Asia to breeding grounds in northern Alaska. Using microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA , we illustrate genetic structure among six subspecies: C. a. arcticola , C. a. pacifica , C. a. hudsonia , C. a. sakhalina , C. a. kistchinski , and C. a. actites . We demonstrate that mitochondrial DNA can help distinguish C. a. arcticola on the Asian nonbreeding grounds with >70% accuracy depending on their relative abundance, indicating that genetics can help determine whether C. a. arcticola occurs where they may be exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza ( HPAI ) during outbreaks. Our data reveal asymmetric intercontinental gene flow, with some C. a. arcticola shortâstopping migration to breed with C. a. pacifica in western Alaska. Because C. a. pacifica migrates along the Pacific Coast of North America, interactions between these subspecies and other taxa provide route for transmission of HPAI into other parts of North America. |
---|