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Population Structure of Tundra Swans Wintering in Eastern North America |
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| Authors: | KHRISTI A. WILKINS RICHARD A. MALECKI PATRICK J. SULLIVAN JOSEPH C. FULLER JOHN P. DUNN LARRY J. HINDMAN GARY R. COSTANZO SCOTT A. PETRIE DENNIS LUSZCZ |
| Affiliation: | 1. United States Geological Survey New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA The Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy, 10 Duck Pond Road, P.O. Box 210, Litchfield, CT 06759, USA;2. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-3001, USA;3. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, 132 Marine Drive, Edenton, NC 27932, USA;4. Pennsylvania Game Commission, 911 Big Spring Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257, USA;5. Wildlife and Heritage Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 828B Airpax Road, Cambridge, MD 21679, USA;6. Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 5806 Mooretown Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188, USA;7. Long Point Waterfowl, P.O. Box 160, Port Rowan, ON NOE 1MO, Canada;8. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (retired), 132 Marine Drive, Edenton, NC 27932, USA |
| Abstract: | ABSTRACT Our objective was to determine whether there were subpopulations within the eastern population of tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus columbianus) wintering along the mid-Atlantic coast. Movement rates between regions were substantial enough to result in continual mixing of wintering birds. Thus, we were unable to identify distinct subpopulations based on exclusive use of specific wintering areas. These birds should therefore be monitored, and their harvest managed, as if they were one population. |
| Keywords: | Cygnus columbianus columbianus eastern population mid-Atlantic United States movement satellite transmitter subpopulation tundra swan wintering ground |