Sympatric population divergence within a highly pelagic seabird species complex (Hydrobates spp.)

Both physical and non-physical barriers can restrict gene flow among seabird populations. Understanding the relative importance of non-physical barriers, such as breeding phenology, is key to understanding seabird biodiversity. We investigated drivers of diversification in the Leach’s storm-petrel species complex (Hydrobates spp.) by examining population genetic structure across its range. Variation in the mitochondrial control region and six microsatellite loci was assayed in birds sampled from breeding colonies throughout the North Atlantic and North Pacific (H. leucorhoa leucorhoa), as well as from San Benito Islands (H. l. chapmani), and two seasonal populations in Guadalupe (summer breeding H. socorroensis and winter breeding H. cheimomnestes), Mexico. Weak but significant differentiation was found between populations of H. l. leucorhoa breeding in the Atlantic versus North Pacific, as well as between H. l. chapmani and H. l. leucorhoa, and between H. socorroensis and H. cheimomnes...

物理屏障与非物理屏障均可限制海鸟种群间的基因流。解析非物理屏障（如繁殖物候（breeding phenology））的相对重要性，是理解海鸟生物多样性的核心所在。本研究以叉尾海燕（Leach’s storm-petrel）物种复合体（海燕属*Hydrobates* spp.）为研究材料，通过解析其分布范围内的种群遗传结构（population genetic structure），探究该类群物种多样化的驱动因子。研究对采自北大西洋、北太平洋全境繁殖种群（*H. l. leucorhoa*）、圣贝尼托群岛种群（*H. l. chapmani*），以及墨西哥瓜达卢佩岛的两个季节繁殖种群（夏季繁殖的*H. socorroensis*与冬季繁殖的*H. cheimomnestes*）的样本进行了遗传检测，分析了线粒体控制区（mitochondrial control region）与6个微卫星位点（microsatellite loci）的序列变异。结果显示，北大西洋与北太平洋的*H. l. leucorhoa*繁殖种群间、*H. l. chapmani*与*H. l. leucorhoa*种群间，以及*H. socorroensis*与*H. cheimomnes*……种群间均存在微弱但显著的遗传分化。