Raw ddRAD-seq of South Carolina Mottled Ducks

Raw illumina 150 basepair ddRAD-seq sequences of mottled ducks, mallards, and American black ducks sampled in South Carolina, USA. This study focused on the genetic assessment of a 1970s-1980s translocation and now established mottled duck population in South Carolina, USA. In addition to examining the population genetics of these mottled ducks, we establish hybridization rates. In addition to wild mallards, we tested for presence of hybrids with migrant American black ducks and released domestic game-farm mallards. We determined the gene pool of the Western Gulf Coast mottled duck was overwhelmingly represented in South Carolina's current population. We found no evidence of founder effects or inbreeding. We identified 7 hybrids, suggesting a scenario of infrequent interspecific hybridization between South Carolina's mottled ducks and congeners. These results demonstrate the importance in managing and maintaining large parental populations to counter hybridization.