Abstract
The factors underlying gene flow and genomic population structure in vagile seabirds are notoriously difficult to understand due to their complex ecology with diverse dispersal barriers and extensive periods at sea. Yet, such understanding is vital for conservation management of seabirds that are globally declining at alarming rates. Here, we elucidate the population structure of the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) by assembling its reference genome and analyzing genome-wide resequencing data of 72 individuals from 12 colonies. We identify four large, genetically distinct clusters, observe isolation-by-distance between colonies within these clusters, and obtain evidence for a secondary contact zone. These observations disagree with the current taxonomy, and show that a complex set of contemporary biotic factors impede gene flow over different spatial scales. Our results highlight the power of whole genome data to reveal unexpected population structure in vagile marine seabirds and its value for seabird taxonomy, evolution and conservation.
Highlights
The factors underlying gene flow and genomic population structure in vagile seabirds are notoriously difficult to understand due to their complex ecology with diverse dispersal barriers and extensive periods at sea
Our work suggests that a complex interplay of ecological factors contributes to the range-wide genomic population structure of this vagile seabird
Based on synteny with the razorbill (Alca torda), a total of 13,328 puffin scaffolds were placed into 26 pseudo-chromosomes, leaving 17.06
Summary
The factors underlying gene flow and genomic population structure in vagile seabirds are notoriously difficult to understand due to their complex ecology with diverse dispersal barriers and extensive periods at sea Such understanding is vital for conservation management of seabirds that are globally declining at alarming rates. This broad classification into three subspecies has been controversial[28,37,38] and the population structure of puffins remains unresolved at all spatial scales[37] This knowledge gap obstructs efforts towards an assessment of dispersal barriers, limits our understanding of cause-and-effect dynamics between population trends, ecology and the marine ecosystem, and hinders the development of adapted large-scale conservation actions. Our work suggests that a complex interplay of ecological factors contributes to the range-wide genomic population structure of this vagile seabird
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