Complex population structure of the Atlantic puffin revealed by whole genome analyses

• DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02415-4
• Publication Date: 2021-07-29T10:03:26Z
• Authors: Oliver Kersten; Bastiaan Star; Deborah M. Leigh; Tycho Anker-Nilssen; Hallvard Strøm; Jóhannis Danielsen; Sébastien Descamps; Kjell E. Erikstad; Michelle G. Fitzs...; Jérôme Fort; Erpur S. Hansen; Mike P. Harris; Martin Irestedt; Oddmund Kleven; Mark L. Mallory; Kjetill S. Jakobsen; Sanne Boessenkool
• Keywords: [SDE] Environmental Sciences; Male; 0301 basic medicine; 570; conservation biology; Canada; QH301-705.5; Population Dynamics; Iceland; Article; Charadriiformes; 03 medical and health sciences; Animals; 14. Life underwater; Biology (General); genome; 0303 health sciences; Whole Genome Sequencing; Norway; 500; population genetics; Scotland; conservation genomics; [SDE]Environmental Sciences; Female; Genome-Wide Association Study

AbstractThe factors underlying gene flow and genomic population structure in vagile seabirds are notoriously difficult to understand due to their complex ecology with diverse dispersal barriers and extensive periods at sea. Yet, such understanding is vital for conservation management of seabirds that are globally declining at alarming rates. Here, we elucidate the population structure of the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) by assembling its reference genome and analyzing genome-wide resequencing data of 72 individuals from 12 colonies. We identify four large, genetically distinct clusters, observe isolation-by-distance between colonies within these clusters, and obtain evidence for a secondary contact zone. These observations disagree with the current taxonomy, and show that a complex set of contemporary biotic factors impede gene flow over different spatial scales. Our results highlight the power of whole genome data to reveal unexpected population structure in vagile marine seabirds and its value for seabird taxonomy, evolution and conservation.