Comparative population genomics reveals key barriers to dispersal in Southern Ocean penguins

Clucas, Gemma V.; Younger, Jane L.; Kao, Damian; Emmerson, Louise; Southwell, Colin; Wienecke, Barbara; Rogers, Alex D.; Bost, Charles-André; Miller, Gary D.; Polito, Michael J.; Lelliott, Patrick; Handley, Jonathan; Crofts, Sarah; Phillips, Richard A.; Dunn, Michael J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4633-5466; Miller, Karen J.; Hart, Tom. 2018 Comparative population genomics reveals key barriers to dispersal in Southern Ocean penguins. Molecular Ecology, 27 (23). 4680-4697. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.14896

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mec.14896

Abstract/Summary

The mechanisms that determine patterns of species dispersal are important factors in the production and maintenance of biodiversity. Understanding these mechanisms helps to forecast the responses of species to environmental change. Here we used a comparative framework and genome‐wide data obtained through RAD‐seq to compare the patterns of connectivity among breeding colonies for five penguin species with shared ancestry, overlapping distributions, and differing ecological niches, allowing an examination of the intrinsic and extrinsic barriers governing dispersal patterns. Our findings show that at‐sea range and oceanography underlie patterns of dispersal in these penguins. The pelagic niche of emperor (Aptenodytes forsteri), king (A. patagonicus), Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae) and chinstrap (P. antarctica) penguins facilitates gene flow over thousands of kilometres. In contrast, the coastal niche of gentoo penguins (P. papua) limits dispersal, resulting in population divergences. Oceanographic fronts also act as dispersal barriers to some extent. We recommend that forecasts of extinction risk incorporate dispersal and that management units are defined by at‐sea range and oceanography in species lacking genetic data.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.14896
ISSN:	09621083
Additional Keywords:	Aptenodytes, Pygoscelis, Polar Front, population genomics, genetic differentiation, RAD-seq
Date made live:	23 Oct 2018 10:33 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/521310

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.14896

ISSN:

09621083

Additional Keywords:

Aptenodytes, Pygoscelis, Polar Front, population genomics, genetic differentiation, RAD-seq

Date made live:

23 Oct 2018 10:33 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/521310