AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Seasonal changes in the breeding origin of migrating Dunlins (Calidris alpina) as revealed by mitochondrial DNA sequencing

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1999
Authors:TIEDEMANN, RALPH
Journal:Journal of Ornithology
Volume:140
Issue:3
Date Published:1999
ISBN Number:2193-7192
Keywords:Calidris, Calidris alpina, Ereunetes alpina, Erolia alpina, North Sea, Scolopacidae, Wadden Sea
Abstract:Summary In the North Sea Wadden Sea, Dunlins of the two subspecies Calidris alpina alpina and C. a schinzii occur on migration. In this study, I investigate the putative breeding origin of Dunlins caught at the Sylt/Rømø Wadden Sea during peak migration in spring and autumn. Genetic variation and haplotype composition was assessed by sequence analysis of the mitochondrial Control Region. A comparison with population genetic measures of breeding populations suggests that Dunlins caught in spring (May) predominantly belong to “alpina” while a high percentage of specimens sampled in autumn (September) belong to “schinzii” This study demonstrates that the putative origin of migrating birds can be assessed by quantitative genetic measures, even in the absence of exclusive genetic markers.
URL:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01651028
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith