DNA Sequencing confirms Tundra Bean Goose (Anser serrirostris serrirostris) occurrence in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley in Arkansas, USA

Waterbirds
None
By: , and 

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Abstract

—First sighting records of rare occurrences may become increasingly important for recognizing changes in distribution, changes in migratory strategies, or increases in hybridization. We focumented the first record of a Tundra Bean Goose in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, the outlet and historic floodplain for much of North America and one of the most important waterfowl wintering areas on the continent. We also document the first genetically confirmed record in the contiguous USA. Bean Goose (Anser fabalis and A. serrirostris) occurrences in North America are rare, especially outside of Alaska. On 24 January 2018, a Tundra Bean Goose (A. s. serrirostris) was harvested by a hunter in a winter-flooded rice field in Desha County, Arkansas, USA, near Dumas. The goose was mixed with a flock of 50 Greater White-Fronted Geese (A. albifrons). Because this individual was legally, albeit accidentally shot, we had the rare and exciting opportunity to obtain morphometric measurements and biological samples. As a result, we were able to verify the species and subspecies through genetic and morphological analysis. We determined the goose was an adult female Tundra Bean Goose, and mitochondrial DNA control region sequence data indicated this specimen was the subspecies A. s. serrirostris.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title DNA Sequencing confirms Tundra Bean Goose (Anser serrirostris serrirostris) occurrence in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley in Arkansas, USA
Series title Waterbirds
DOI 10.1675/063.042.0310
Volume 42
Issue 3
Year Published 2019
Language English
Publisher BioOne
Contributing office(s) Alaska Science Center Biology WTEB
Description 10 p.
First page 333
Last page 342
Country United States
State Arkansas
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