PRF/J: Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Variation and the Genetic Structure of Canvasback and Redhead Duck Populations: Direct Sequencing of the Control Region to Improve the Resolution

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The primary objective of this research is to test predictions about the genetic structure of canvasback duck (Aythya valisineria) and redhead duck (A. americana) populations using sequence variation data from the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region. Philopatry to natal areas is strongly female-biased in migratory waterfowl, whereas males disperse widely prior to the time they breed; this characteristic is unlike that of most other birds. The uniqueness of such a social system suggests that despite a massive flow of nuclear genes mediated by male dispersal, mtDNA variation may be geographically structured. In other words, mitochondrial DNA lineages in local or regional populations may differentiate because they are isolated from other maternal lineages due to female site-fidelity. This work will test whether effects of gender-based philopatry on mtDNA gene flow are reflected in geographic patterns of mtDNA sequence variation. Geographic structure in mtDNA variation is to be evaluated using nucleotide sequence data from the rapidly evolving control region. This technique should permit much finer resolution of genetic differentiation than restriction fragment analysis, the technique used in nearly all previous avian mtDNA investigations. %%% Acquiring fine-grained knowledge about the genetic structure of long-distance migrants will facilitate the prudent management of an economically-important component of native North American biodiversity. In addition insights gained in this research will advance historical phylogeography (geography from a phylogenetic perspective), a growing point in ecology and systematics.