Abstract

Dispersal and connectivity within a population often promotes overall diversity and adaptive potential, therefore a disruption of existing patterns of connectivity by local extinction can have significant consequences for the affected species. However, the extent of these impacts on recovery is not always known. American flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) present an ideal opportunity to investigate how changes in gene flow influence within population diversity and genetic structure over the span of a century for a recovering population. Flamingos were highly sought-after by hunters for their meat and feathers, and as a result, the Florida population was extirpated by the beginning of the 20th century. Despite high vagility and the presence of nearby flocks nesting in the Caribbean, the Florida population has yet to show significant recovery. In this study I used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to assess historical samples maintained in museum collections, as well as contemporary samples of wild birds and captive flocks, to estimate genetic diversity, reconstruct gene flow, and evaluate population structure across time. Genetic diversity was found to have either increased or stayed constant over time, indicating the diversity lost through hunting may have been partially recovered in contemporary birds. However, evidence of inbreeding was found to be high in contemporary birds compared to their historical counterparts. The population structure of the species was found to be largely unaffected by the extirpation, with both contemporary and historical samples showing clear evidence of panmixia throughout populations in the northern Caribbean. The captive population had higher diversity and lower inbreeding than wild birds and were not significantly differentiated from the wild population, making these flocks possible sources for reintroduction projects. The data gathered in this study constitutes the first use of whole-genome sequencing to study the American flamingo population, aiding in both the management and recovery of flamingo populations.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2023

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Hoffman, Eric

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Biology

Degree Program

Biology

Identifier

CFE0009857; DP0028112

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0028112

Language

English

Release Date

November 2023

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

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