Abstract
The Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens has a pantropical distribution, nesting on islands along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. In the Caribbean, there is little genetic structure among colonies; however, the genetic structure among the colonies off Brazil and its relationship with those in the Caribbean are unknown. In this study, we used mtDNA and microsatellite markers to infer population structure and evolutionary history in a sample of F. magnificens individuals collected in Brazil, Grand Connétable (French Guyana), and Barbuda. Virtually all Brazilian individuals had the same mtDNA haplotype. There was no haplotype sharing between Brazil and the Caribbean, though Grand Connétable shared haplotypes with both regions. A Bayesian clustering analysis using microsatellite data found two genetic clusters: one associated with Barbuda and the other with the Brazilian populations. Grand Connétable was more similar to Barbuda but had ancestry from both clusters, corroborating its “intermediate” position. The Caribbean and Grand Connétable populations showed higher genetic diversity and effective population size compared to the Brazilian population. Overall, our results are in good agreement with an effect of marine winds in isolating the Brazilian meta-population.
Highlights
The Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens is a large seabird measuring 89–114 cm long with a 217–244 cm wingspan that breeds on islands along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the Americas
There was no mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotype sharing between the Brazilian and Caribbean populations, indicating, at least based on mtDNA, that these populations are effectively isolated (Fig 2, Tables 1 and 2)
The results based on STR markers support the inferences based on mtDNA: a general low level of genetic structure among the populations (Tables 3 and 4, S3 and S4 Tables)
Summary
The Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens is a large seabird measuring 89–114 cm long with a 217–244 cm wingspan that breeds on islands along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the Americas. In the Pacific, breeding colonies can be found from Baja California (Mexico) to Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands; in the Atlantic, colonies occur from Florida and the Caribbean to south Brazil. There is a very small population on the Cape Verde Islands off western Africa [1]. In Brazil, breeding colonies can be found on the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0149834. Phylogeography of Fregata magnificens in the Western Atlantic Ocean In Brazil, breeding colonies can be found on the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0149834 February 22, 2016
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
