The Effects of Range Expansion on the Population Genetics of White-Winged Doves in Texas

摘要

Species that undergo range expansions often exhibit a loss of genetic diversity in populations found at the leading edge of the expansion and show a genetic signal of isolation by distance. We examined the genetic consequences of range expansion on White-winged Dove populations, a species that is undergoing a range and possible demographic expansion in Texas. We genotyped five microsatellite loci and sequenced a segment of mitochondrial DNA and found that White-winged Doves do not exhibit a loss of genetic diversity in recently colonized areas or a genetic signal of a demographic expansion. However, we did find a slight signal of isolation by distance and range expansion based on both nuclear and mitochondrial markers. We suggest that high, multi-directional, ongoing gene flow has removed any loss of diversity caused by range expansion. A conservation implication of our findings is that species that exhibit rapid range expansions with high gene flow are likely to retain their evolutionary potential and resist the effects of environmental fluctuations.