Range-wide genetic structure in the thorn-tailed rayadito suggests limited gene flow towards peripheral populations

Understanding the population genetic consequences of habitat heterogeneity requires assessing whether patterns of gene flow correspond to landscape configuration. Studies of the genetic structure of populations are still scarce for Neotropical forest birds. We assessed range-wide genetic structure a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific Reports
Main Authors: Botero Delgadillo, Esteban, Quirici, Verónica, Poblete, Yanina, Acevedo, Matías, Cuevas, Elfego, Bravo, Camila, Cragnolini, Margherita, Rozzi, Ricardo, Poulin, Elie, Mueller, Jakob C., Kempenaers, Bart, Vásquez Morales, Rodrigo
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Nature 2020
Subjects:
Aphrastura-spinicauda
Habitat fragmentation
Forest bird
Distance
Differentiation
Diversity
Dispersal
Passerine
Software
Patterns
Antarctic
Antarc*
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-66450-7
https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/177441
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Summary:Understanding the population genetic consequences of habitat heterogeneity requires assessing whether patterns of gene flow correspond to landscape configuration. Studies of the genetic structure of populations are still scarce for Neotropical forest birds. We assessed range-wide genetic structure and contemporary gene flow in the thorn-tailed rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda), a passerine bird inhabiting the temperate forests of South America. We used 12 microsatellite loci to genotype 582 individuals from eight localities across a large latitudinal range (30 degrees S-56 degrees S). Using population structure metrics, multivariate analyses, clustering algorithms, and Bayesian methods, we found evidence for moderately low regional genetic structure and reduced gene flow towards the range margins. Genetic differentiation increased with geographic distance, particularly in the southern part of the species' distribution where forests are continuously distributed. Populations in the north seem to experience limited gene flow likely due to forest discontinuity, and may comprise a demographically independent unit. The southernmost population, on the other hand, is genetically depauperate and different from all other populations. Different analytical approaches support the presence of three to five genetic clusters. We hypothesize that the genetic structure of the species follows a hierarchical clustered pattern. Max Planck Society Foundation CELLEX Comision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (CONICYT) CONICYT FONDECYT 3110059 11130245 1100359 1140548 Comision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (CONICYT) ICM-P05-002 PFB-23 AFB-170008 63130100 PAIFAC 2019 (Sciences Faculty, Universidad de Chile) Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program of the University of North Texas COLFUTURO' scholarship-loan PCB-2012

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