Evidence for long-distance dispersal in a sedentary passerine, Gymnorhina tibicen (Artamidae) |
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Authors: | ANDREW M. BAKER PETER B. MATHER JANE M. HUGHES |
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Affiliation: | School of Natural Resource Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Gardens Point Campus, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, Queensland, 4001, Australia;Australian School of Environmental Studies, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia |
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Abstract: | Australian magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen) are group-living birds found across much of mainland Australia. Adults commonly remain in a breeding territory until death. Young of the year either remain on the natal (birth) site or are forced by their parents to disperse. Observational studies in south-eastern Australia suggest that most dispersing juveniles settle within 7 km of their natal territory. Therefore, despite potential for considerable gene flow (via flight), social organization predisposes magpies towards local population structuring. In this study, we measured genetic variation at both nuclear (allozyme) and mitochondrial loci and found evidence of substantial gene flow over very large distances (up to 1599 km). Thus, some juvenile magpies may disperse much greater distances than was previously thought. For mtDNA, geographic and genetic distance were strongly correlated, consistent with a pattern of isolation by distance. Therefore, although female gene flow is substantial it is apparently geographically restricted over large distances, in approximately a stepping-stone fashion. We conclude that a strong relationship between gene flow and geographic distance can develop even over large distances if populations have experienced no major historical disturbances to gene flow. |
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Keywords: | Australian magpie bird natal site mitochondrial DNA control-region allozymes gene flow isolation by distance geographic distance |
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