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opencc-zeroDec 2015View details →

Data from: The role of selection and historical factors in driving population differentiation along an elevational gradient in an island bird

Adaptation to local environmental conditions and the range dynamics of populations can influence evolutionary divergence along environmental gradients. Thus, it is important to investigate patterns of both phenotypic and genetic variation among populations to reveal the respective roles of these two types of factors in driving population differentiation. Here, we test for evidence of phenotypic and genetic structure across populations of a passerine bird (Zosterops borbonicus) distributed along a steep elevational gradient on the island of Réunion. Using eleven microsatellite loci screened in 401 individuals from 18 localities distributed along the gradient, we found that genetic differentiation occurred at two spatial levels: (i) between two main population groups corresponding to highland and lowland areas, respectively, and (ii) within each of these two groups. In contrast, several morphological traits varied gradually along the gradient. Comparison of neutral genetic differentiation (FST) and phenotypic differentiation (PST) showed that PST largely exceeds FST at several morphological traits, which is consistent with a role for local adaptation in driving morphological divergence along the gradient. Overall, our results revealed an area of secondary contact mid-way up the gradient between two major, cryptic, population groups likely diverged in allopatry. Remarkably, local adaptation has shaped phenotypic differentiation irrespective of population history, resulting in different patterns of variation along the elevational gradient. Our findings underscore the importance of understanding both historical and selective factors when trying to explain variation along environmental gradients.

opencc-zeroDec 2010View details →

Data from: A passerine bird's evolution corroborates the geologic history of the island of New Guinea

New Guinea is a biologically diverse island, with a unique geologic history and topography that has likely played a role in the evolution of species. Few island-wide studies, however, have examined the phylogeographic history of lowland species. The objective of this study was to examine patterns of phylogeographic variation of a common and widespread New Guinean bird species (Colluricincla megarhyncha). Specifically, we test the mechanisms hypothesized to cause geographic and genetic variation (e.g., vicariance, isolation by distance and founder-effect with dispersal). To accomplish this, we surveyed three regions of the mitochondrial genome and a nuclear intron and assessed differences among 23 of the 30 described subspecies from throughout their range. We found support for eight highly divergent lineages within C. megarhyncha. Genetic lineages were found within continuous lowland habitat or on smaller islands, but all individuals within clades were not necessarily structured by predicted biogeographic barriers. There was some evidence of isolation by distance and potential founder-effects. Mitochondrial DNA sequence divergence among lineages was at a level often observed among different species or even genera of birds (5-11%), suggesting lineages within regions have been isolated for long periods of time. When topographical barriers were associated with divergence patterns, the estimated divergence date for the clade coincided with the estimated time of barrier formation. We also found that dispersal distance and range size are positively correlated across lineages. Evidence from this research suggests that different phylogeographic mechanisms concurrently structure lineages of C. megarhyncha and are not mutually exclusive. These lineages are a result of evolutionary forces acting at different temporal and spatial scales concordant with New Guinea's geological history.

opencc-zeroDec 2017View details →

Data from: Context-dependent colonisation of terrestrial habitat 'islands' by a long-distance migrant bird

Landscape context can affect how individuals perceive patch quality during colonisation. However, although context-dependent colonisation has been observed in aquatic environments it has rarely been studied in terrestrial environments or at large spatial scales. Here, we assessed how landscape context influenced colonisation rates in a large-scale (c.7000 km2) terrestrial system where colonisers (Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus) are capable of rapid, long-distance movements. Bioacoustic recorders were used to detect first song dates (an indicator of colonisation or re-colonisation) and settlement in 23 naturally replicated habitat patches. We compared support for three competing hypotheses describing colonisation patterns that depend on landscape context ('redirection', 'landscape-selection' and 'relative patch size') with two patch-level hypotheses (patch 'quality' and 'heterospecific attraction'). First song was earlier when habitat availability in the landscape was low, supporting the 'redirection' hypothesis. Settlement probability was best predicted by patch 'quality' and was lower in woodlands with a dense understorey. Results suggest that colonisation of habitat patches by male P. trochilus after spring migration is spatially hierarchical. First, initial colonisation depends on landscape context, and settlement is then determined by fine-scale vegetation characteristics. More broadly, we suggest that patterns observed in fragmented aquatic environments (e.g. 'redirection') can, in some circumstances, be extended to large-scale terrestrial environments.

Figure 4 in Avian mortality due to power lines in the Canary Islands with special reference to the steppe-land birds

Figure 4. Distribution of power lines, steppe habitat and carcasses of stone curlew, Burhinus oedicnemus insularum, on the Canary Islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

Figure 2 in Avian mortality due to power lines in the Canary Islands with special reference to the steppe-land birds

Figure 2. Distribution of number of dead birds (carcasses) found per family. 1, Otididae; 2, Burhinidae; 3, Unidentified; 4, Columbidae; 5, Laridae; 6, Glareolidae; 7, Corvidae; 8, Procellariidae; 9, Ardeidae; 10, Phasianidae; 11, Motacillidae; 12, Ciconiidae; 13, Accipitridae; 14, Falconidae; 15, Upupidae; 16, Hirundinidae; 17, Scolopacidae; 18, Pteroclididae; 19, Tytonidae; 20, Meropidae; 21, Alaudidae; 22, Muscicapidae; 23, Laniidae; 24, Fringillidae.

Figure 1 in Avian mortality due to power lines in the Canary Islands with special reference to the steppe-land birds

Figure 1. Location of study sites and distribution of power lines and steppe habitat on the Canary Islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

Figure 3 in Avian mortality due to power lines in the Canary Islands with special reference to the steppe-land birds

Figure 3. Distribution of power lines, steppe habitat and carcasses of houbara bustard, Chlamydotis undulata fuertaventurae, on the Canary Islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

opencc-zeroSep 2021View details →

Data from: Niche shifts after island colonization spurred adaptive diversification and speciation in a cosmopolitan bird clade

Islands have long been recognized as key contributors to biodiversity because islands facilitate geographic isolation and ecological divergence from mainland ancestors. However, island colonization has traditionally been considered an evolutionary dead-end process, and its consequences for continental biodiversity remain understudied. Here, we studied the evolutionary radiation of Columbiformes (i.e. pigeons and doves) to examine if ecological niche shifts on islands shaped biological diversification and community composition on continents. We show that the colonization of islands by continental, terrestrial-foraging lineages led to exploitation of a new ecological niche (i.e. arboreal foraging). This transition towards arboreal foraging was associated with evolutionary adaptation towards a new morphological optimum. In addition, arboreal-foraging lineages experienced an increase in speciation rates, which was associated with successful range expansions to other islands as well as back-colonization of continents. Our results provide empirical evidence that diversification on continents can only be fully understood when studying the diversification processes that took place on islands, challenging the view of islands as mere sinks of evolutionary diversity.

opencc-zeroMay 2023View details →

Bird count dataset for: Oiling threats to marine birds on Southern Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

We conducted year-round boat-based strip transect surveys in waters between Sidney, BC and Victoria, BC from November 2015 to August 2019 and examined seasonal variation in bird distribution and abundance. Our study area included parts of the Sidney Channel Important Bird Area, the Shoal Harbour and Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuaries and the Chain Islets Ecological Reserve, adjacent to major shipping lanes, as well as ports and marinas. We report counts of Rhinoceros Auklet Cerorhinca monocerata, Common Murre Uria aalgae, Pigeon Guillemot Cepphus columba, Marbled Murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus, and Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus.

opencc-by-nc-1.0Jun 2020View details →

Bird Bone Awl, XFP-119, Sanak Island, Alaska.

Bird Bone Awl, XFP-119, Sanak Island, Alaska. XFP-119-49. Likely 400-100 BCE. XFP-119 is a group of house and other depressions along the beach within the area of the Historic town of Sanak. There are at least three components dating approximately 400 BCE, 100BCE, and 1250-1410 CE. These artifacts were scanned with either a Faro Edge Arm or a Minolta Vivid 9i. Processed in Geomagic or Polyworks. 4-8 photos were used for texture in Geomagic Wrap. The Sanak Island artifacts are presented as a result of the research conducted under grants NSF 0326584, NSF 0508101, NSF 1139266, NSF 1321411. H. Maschner, Principal Investigator. Original digitizing work done at the IVL at Id. St. Univ. Subsequent processing completed at Global Digital Heritage. Fieldwork and analysis done with the permission and collaboration of the Pauloff Harbor Tribe and the Sanak Corporation. Source: Objaverse 1.0 / Sketchfab