Comparative population genomics reveals key barriers to dispersal in Southern Ocean penguins

The mechanisms that determine patterns of species dispersal are important factors in the production and maintenance of biodiversity. Understanding these mechanisms helps to forecast the responses of species to environmental change. Here we used a comparative framework and genome-wide data obtained through RAD-seq to compare the patterns of connectivity among breeding colonies for five penguin species with shared ancestry, overlapping distributions, and differing ecological niches, allowing an examination of the intrinsic and extrinsic barriers governing dispersal patterns. Our findings show that at-sea range and oceanography underlie patterns of dispersal in these penguins. The pelagic niche of emperor (Aptenodytes forsteri), king (A. patagonicus), Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae) and chinstrap (P. antarctica) penguins facilitates gene flow over thousands of kilometres. In contrast, the coastal niche of gentoo penguins (P. papua) limits dispersal, resulting in population divergences. Oceanog...

决定物种扩散模式的机制，是生物多样性产生与维持的核心影响因素。明晰此类机制，有助于预测物种对环境变化的响应。本研究采用比较分析框架，结合通过限制性位点关联DNA测序（RAD-seq）获取的全基因组数据，对5个具有共同祖先、分布重叠但生态位分化的企鹅物种的繁殖种群间连通模式进行比较，以此探究调控扩散模式的内在与外在障碍。研究结果显示，活动海域范围与海洋学特征是决定此类企鹅扩散模式的核心基础。帝企鹅（Aptenodytes forsteri）、王企鹅（A. patagonicus）、阿德利企鹅（Pygoscelis adeliae）以及颊带企鹅（P. antarctica）的远洋生态位，可支持基因流跨越数千公里的距离。与之相反，巴布亚企鹅（P. papua，又名绅士企鹅）的近岸生态位则限制了其扩散能力，最终引发种群分化。海洋学[原文未完结]