High genetic diversity yet weak population genetic structure in European common terns
Abstract The common tern (Sterna hirundo) is a migratory seabird experiencing a decline in breeding pairs across several European populations due to various threats, including habitat destruction and human disturbance. This study investigates the population genetic structure and diversity of common...
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| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-80614-9 |
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| author | Veronika Lončar Jelena Kralj Astrid Vik Stronen Marija Grgurević Željko Pavlinec Luka Jurinović Ida Svetličić Elena Buzan Simon Piro Christof Herrmann Iztok Škornik Davorin Tome Gyula Kovács Bálint Preiszner Péter Szinai Stefano Volponi Sunčica Stipoljev Ana Galov |
| author_facet | Veronika Lončar Jelena Kralj Astrid Vik Stronen Marija Grgurević Željko Pavlinec Luka Jurinović Ida Svetličić Elena Buzan Simon Piro Christof Herrmann Iztok Škornik Davorin Tome Gyula Kovács Bálint Preiszner Péter Szinai Stefano Volponi Sunčica Stipoljev Ana Galov |
| author_sort | Veronika Lončar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The common tern (Sterna hirundo) is a migratory seabird experiencing a decline in breeding pairs across several European populations due to various threats, including habitat destruction and human disturbance. This study investigates the population genetic structure and diversity of common terns sampled extensively across three European areas—Northern, Southern Inland and Southern Marine—during the breeding seasons, using 18 microsatellite markers and a mitochondrial DNA control region fragment. High genetic diversity was found in both types of markers, with the Southern Marine group showing the lowest overall diversity, although signals of possible population bottlenecks were detected in all groups. Various analyses indicated that population genetic structure was weak or absent, suggesting high gene flow among groups. The low genetic differentiation is likely influenced by distinct migration patterns, particularly between Southern Inland and Marine groups. Our results suggest that geographical distance between breeding colonies had minimal effect on population genetic structure. Further studies with tracking devices are needed to clarify how migration dynamics impacts genetic structure in common terns, while conservation efforts should focus on securing multiple breeding sites and currently unoccupied areas to increase options for habitat selection, supporting the species’ genetic diversity and long-term resilience. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3ec398911ddf40bfb3f92c2646a68481 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-3ec398911ddf40bfb3f92c2646a684812025-08-20T02:08:24ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-11-0114111210.1038/s41598-024-80614-9High genetic diversity yet weak population genetic structure in European common ternsVeronika Lončar0Jelena Kralj1Astrid Vik Stronen2Marija Grgurević3Željko Pavlinec4Luka Jurinović5Ida Svetličić6Elena Buzan7Simon Piro8Christof Herrmann9Iztok Škornik10Davorin Tome11Gyula Kovács12Bálint Preiszner13Péter Szinai14Stefano Volponi15Sunčica Stipoljev16Ana Galov17Faculty of Science, University of ZagrebCroatian Academy of Sciences and ArtsBiotechnical Faculty, University of LjubljanaKite PharmaAquarium PulaCroatian Veterinary Institute, Poultry CentreFaculty of Science, University of ZagrebFaculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Information Technologies, University of PrimorskaAG Vogelwarte, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of GreifswaldAgency for Environment, Nature Conservation and Geology Mecklenburg- Vorpommern, Hiddensee Bird Ringing SchemeSečovlje Salina Nature Park, Soline Pridelava Soli d.o.o.National Institute of BiologyBirdLife Hungary South-Balaton Local GroupHUN-REN Balaton Limnological Research InstituteBalaton-felvidéki National Park DirectorateItalian Institute for Environmental Protection and ResearchLaboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković InstituteFaculty of Science, University of ZagrebAbstract The common tern (Sterna hirundo) is a migratory seabird experiencing a decline in breeding pairs across several European populations due to various threats, including habitat destruction and human disturbance. This study investigates the population genetic structure and diversity of common terns sampled extensively across three European areas—Northern, Southern Inland and Southern Marine—during the breeding seasons, using 18 microsatellite markers and a mitochondrial DNA control region fragment. High genetic diversity was found in both types of markers, with the Southern Marine group showing the lowest overall diversity, although signals of possible population bottlenecks were detected in all groups. Various analyses indicated that population genetic structure was weak or absent, suggesting high gene flow among groups. The low genetic differentiation is likely influenced by distinct migration patterns, particularly between Southern Inland and Marine groups. Our results suggest that geographical distance between breeding colonies had minimal effect on population genetic structure. Further studies with tracking devices are needed to clarify how migration dynamics impacts genetic structure in common terns, while conservation efforts should focus on securing multiple breeding sites and currently unoccupied areas to increase options for habitat selection, supporting the species’ genetic diversity and long-term resilience.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-80614-9Genetic diversityPopulation genetic structureMicrosatelliteMitochondrial DNA |
| spellingShingle | Veronika Lončar Jelena Kralj Astrid Vik Stronen Marija Grgurević Željko Pavlinec Luka Jurinović Ida Svetličić Elena Buzan Simon Piro Christof Herrmann Iztok Škornik Davorin Tome Gyula Kovács Bálint Preiszner Péter Szinai Stefano Volponi Sunčica Stipoljev Ana Galov High genetic diversity yet weak population genetic structure in European common terns Scientific Reports Genetic diversity Population genetic structure Microsatellite Mitochondrial DNA |
| title | High genetic diversity yet weak population genetic structure in European common terns |
| title_full | High genetic diversity yet weak population genetic structure in European common terns |
| title_fullStr | High genetic diversity yet weak population genetic structure in European common terns |
| title_full_unstemmed | High genetic diversity yet weak population genetic structure in European common terns |
| title_short | High genetic diversity yet weak population genetic structure in European common terns |
| title_sort | high genetic diversity yet weak population genetic structure in european common terns |
| topic | Genetic diversity Population genetic structure Microsatellite Mitochondrial DNA |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-80614-9 |
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