Data from: Global lack of flyway structure in a cosmopolitan bird revealed by a genome wide survey of single nucleotide polymorphisms

Knowledge about population structure and connectivity of waterfowl species, especially mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), is a priority due to recent outbreaks of Avian Influenza. Ringing studies that trace large-scale movement patterns have to date been unable to detect clearly delineated mallard populations. We employed 363 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in combination with population genetics and phylogeographic approaches to conduct a population genomic test of panmixia in 801 mallards from 45 locations world-wide. Basic population genetic and phylogenetic methods suggest no or very little population structure on continental scales. Nor could individual-based structuring algorithms discern geographical structuring. Model-based coalescent analyses for testing models of population structure pointed to strong genetic connectivity among the world’s mallard population. These diverse approaches all support the conclusion that there is a lack of clear population structure, suggesting that the world’s mallards, perhaps with minor exceptions, form a single large, mainly interbreeding population.

鉴于近期禽流感（Avian Influenza）疫情暴发，解析水禽类群尤其是绿头鸭（Anas platyrhynchos）的种群结构与遗传连通性已成为首要研究重点。迄今为止，通过追踪大规模移动模式开展的环志研究始终未能明确划分绿头鸭的种群边界。本研究采用363个单核苷酸多态性（single nucleotide polymorphism, SNP）标记，结合种群遗传学与系统地理学研究方法，对全球45个采样点的801只绿头鸭开展了泛交（panmixia）的种群基因组检验。基础种群遗传与系统发育分析结果显示，在大陆尺度上几乎不存在或仅存在极微弱的种群结构；基于个体的种群结构解析算法同样无法识别地理种群结构。用于检验种群结构模型的基于模型的溯祖（coalescent）分析结果表明，全球绿头鸭种群间存在极强的遗传连通性。上述多种分析方法均支持"无明确种群结构"这一结论，表明全球绿头鸭（极少数例外情况除外）构成一个统一的大型种群，且主要以种群内交配为主。