Ecological characteristics explain neutral genetic variation of three coastal sparrow species

Eco-phylogeographic approaches to comparative population genetic analyses allow for the inclusion of intrinsic influences as drivers of intraspecific genetic structure. This insight into microevolutionary processes, including changes within a species or lineage, provides better mechanistic understanding of species-specific interactions and enables predictions of evolutionary responses to environmental change. In this study, we used single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified from reduced representation sequencing to compare neutral population structure, isolation by distance (IBD), genetic diversity, and effective population size (Ne) across three closely related and co-distributed saltmarsh sparrow species differing along a specialization gradient –Nelson’s (Ammospiza nelsoni subvirgata), saltmarsh (A.caudacuta), and seaside sparrows (A. maritima maritima). Using an eco-phylogeographic lens within a conservation management context, we tested predictions about species’ degree of e..., Data were collected via SNP identificaiton from ddRAD Sequencing. , , # Eco-phylogeographic approach explains genetic variation of three coastal sparrow species

## Description of the Data and file structure

Two Excel spreadsheets and three structure files, contains 1) metadata for each sample used in the study; 2) environmental data for marsh patches used in dbRDA - one tab each for saltmarsh, Nelson's and seaside sparrow; and 3) genotype data for all individuals across the 3 species (final filtered SNP datasets used in the analyses in structure file format).

Details for sample metadata ('SupportingDatafile1')
Description: an Excel sheet with sample ID, species, location sampled, groupings and filenames used for the analysis, collector name, and if the sampled has been published previously.

Format:
Individual birds are in rows, each with a unique ID. Associated metadata belonging to that sample are in columns.

Dimensions: 725 rows x 13 columns

Variables:

* USGS AL band number for the bird in column A
* Species_Dataset: species of bird sampled (...