Structural genomic variation in the Eurasian blackcap

Structural variants (SVs) are a major source of genetic variation; and descriptions in natural populations and connections with phenotypic traits are beginning to accumulate in the literature. We integrated advances in genomic sequencing and animal tracking to begin filling this knowledge gap in the Eurasian blackcap. Specifically, we (i) characterized the genome-wide distribution, frequency and overall fitness effects of SVs using haplotype-resolved assemblies for 79 birds, and (ii) used these SVs to study the genetics of seasonal migration.