Inter‐island movements and population differentiation in a pelagic seabird

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-294x.2003.01931.x
• Publication Date: 2003-09-10T10:18:28Z
• Authors: Donald C. Dearborn; Angela D. Anders; E. A. Schreiber; Rachelle M. M. Adams; Ulrich G. Mueller
• Keywords: Tern

Abstract We used mark–resight data and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers to assess movements gene flow between Central Pacific breeding colonies of the great frigatebird, Fregata minor . Of 715 adult frigatebirds marked on Tern Island Johnston Atoll, 21.3% were resighted at other frigatebird least 582 km away. Mark–resight indicated regular movement males females Atoll (873 apart), less frequent islands; no birds or seen Christmas Island, but one was in Philippines, 7627 from where it marked. Despite occurrence interisland movements, Bayesian analyses AFLP showed significant genetic differentiation more pronounced these two islands distant Island. The profiles three fell within profile‐cluster typical for birds, both a nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis population assignment test, suggesting dispersal events Several factors could explain persistence structure despite colonies: many occurred during nonbreeding season, breeding‐season did not involve mate‐acquisition behaviours individuals that do disperse may be selected against, as suggested by morphometric differences colonies. among suggests limits effectiveness migration homogenizing force this broadly distributed, extremely mobile species.