Thesis Defense: 'Genomic Variation of Red-Faced Cormorants in the Aleutian Archipelago and Bering Sea' on April 29

Please join M.S. Candidate in Biological Sciences, Dustin Carl, for a public thesis defense via Zoom beginning at 4 p.m. April 29.

Description: The unique biogeography of the Aleutian Archipelago influences patterns of genetic diversity even within species with high dispersal capabilities (e.g. seabirds). The Red-faced Cormorant (Phalacrocorax urile) is a pelagic seabird that has breeding populations throughout the Aleutian Islands and Pribilof Islands. Despite having a wide distribution and ability to move large distances, Red-faced Cormorants generally exhibit non-migratory behavior with primarily localized movement. As with other seabirds, population numbers were substantially declined with the introduction of foxes to the Aleutian Islands. We used a landscape genetics approach to determine the level of genetic diversity and connectivity patterns across the western portion of the archipelago. Based on reduced representation genomic data, we found significant genetic differentiation between western Aleutian Islands and St. Paul Island. In addition, there was no inter-island differentiation detected within the Aleutian Islands. This pattern of regional differentiation, with lack of within-region differentiation, corresponds to the restricted yearly movement patterns of red-faced cormorants. This information can impact the conservation and management implications of the Red-faced Cormorant in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Alaska Maritime Refuge.

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[Zoom Meeting ID: 813 1474 5136 / Passcode: 047177]

April Archive