Intercontinental genetic structure and gene flow in Dunlin (Calidris alpina), a potential vector of avian influenza

Mark P. Miller; Susan M. Haig; Thomas D. Mullins; Luzhang Ruan; Bruce Casler; Alexei Dondua; H. River Gates; J. Matthew Johnson; Steven J. Kendall; Pavel S. Tomkovich; Diane Tracy; Olga P. Valchuk; Richard B. Lanctot

doi:10.1111/eva.12239

Intercontinental genetic structure and gene flow in Dunlin (Calidris alpina), a potential vector of avian influenza

Evolutionary Applications

By: Mark P. Miller, Susan M. Haig, Thomas D. Mullins, Luzhang Ruan, Bruce Casler, Alexei Dondua, H. River Gates, J. Matthew Johnson, Steven J. Kendall, Pavel S. Tomkovich, Diane Tracy, Olga P. Valchuk, and Richard B. Lanctot

https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12239

Links

More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
Open Access Version: External Repository
Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core

Abstract

Waterfowl (Anseriformes) and shorebirds (Charadriiformes) are the most common wild vectors of influenza A viruses. Due to their migratory behavior, some may transmit disease over long distances. Migratory connectivity studies can link breeding and nonbreeding grounds while illustrating potential interactions among populations that may spread diseases. We investigated Dunlin (Calidris alpina), a shorebird with a subspecies (C. a. arcticola) that migrates from nonbreeding areas endemic to avian influenza in eastern Asia to breeding grounds in northern Alaska. Using microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA, we illustrate genetic structure among six subspecies: C. a. arcticola, C. a. pacifica, C. a. hudsonia, C. a. sakhalina, C. a. kistchinski, and C. a. actites. We demonstrate that mitochondrial DNA can help distinguish C. a. arcticola on the Asian nonbreeding grounds with >70% accuracy depending on their relative abundance, indicating that genetics can help determine whether C. a. arcticola occurs where they may be exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) during outbreaks. Our data reveal asymmetric intercontinental gene flow, with some C. a. arcticola short-stopping migration to breed with C. a. pacifica in western Alaska. Because C. a. pacifica migrates along the Pacific Coast of North America, interactions between these subspecies and other taxa provide route for transmission of HPAI into other parts of North America.

Study Area

Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	Intercontinental genetic structure and gene flow in Dunlin (Calidris alpina), a potential vector of avian influenza
Series title	Evolutionary Applications
DOI	10.1111/eva.12239
Volume	8
Issue	2
Year Published	2015
Language	English
Publisher	Wiley
Contributing office(s)	Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Description	23 p.
First page	149
Last page	171
Country	Canada, Russia, United States
Online Only (Y/N)	N
Additional Online Files (Y/N)	N
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page