Genetic structure along an elevational gradient in Hawaiian honeycreepers reveals contrasting evolutionary responses to avian malaria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Hawaiian honeycreepers (Drepanidinae) are one of the best-known examples of an adaptive radiation, but their persistence today is threatened by the introduction of exotic pathogens and their vector, the mosquito <it>Culex quinquefasciatus</it>. Historically, species such as the amakihi (<it>Hemignathus virens</it>), the apapane (<it>Himatione sanguinea</it>), and the iiwi (<it>Vestiaria coccinea</it>) were found from the coastal lowlands to the high elevation forests, but by the late 1800's they had become extremely rare in habitats below 900 m. Recently, however, populations of amakihi and apapane have been observed in low elevation habitats. We used twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci to investigate patterns of genetic structure, and to infer responses of these species to introduced avian malaria along an elevational gradient on the eastern flanks of Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes on the island of Hawaii.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results indicate that amakihi have genetically distinct, spatially structured populations that correspond with altitude. We detected very few apapane and no iiwi in low-elevation habitats, and genetic results reveal only minimal differentiation between populations at different altitudes in either of these species.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results suggest that amakihi populations in low elevation habitats have not been recolonized by individuals from mid or high elevation refuges. After generations of strong selection for pathogen resistance, these populations have rebounded and amakihi have become common in regions in which they were previously rare or absent.</p

Core Area Assessment Report: Environmental Awareness

University of New England (UNE) College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) core curriculum assessment document

Environmental Awareness: Annual Program Improvement And Assessment Report, 2015-2016

University of New England (UNE) College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) core curriculum assessment document

2018-2019 Environmental Awareness Annual Program Assessment Form

University of New England (UNE) College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) core curriculum assessment document

Environmental Awareness: Annual Program Assessment Of Student Learning Report, 2016-2017

University of New England (UNE) College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) core curriculum assessment document

Core Area Assessment Report: Environmental Awareness Executive Summary

University of New England (UNE) College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) core curriculum assessment document

2017-2018 Annual Program Assessment Form for Environmental Awareness Component of the CAS Core Curriculum

University of New England (UNE) College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) core curriculum assessment document

2018-2019 Appendices of the Environmental Awareness Report of the CAS Core Curriculum

University of New England (UNE) College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) core curriculum assessment document

2017-2018 Appendices of the Environmental Awareness Report of the CAS Core Curriculum

University of New England (UNE) College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) core curriculum assessment document