title: Intercontinental genetic structure and gene flow in Dunlin (Calidris alpina), a potential vector of avian influenza.
abstract: Waterfowl (Anseriformes) and shorebirds (Charadriiformes) are the most common wild vectors of influenza A viruses. Due to their migratory behavior, some may transmit disease over long distances. Migratory connectivity studies can link breeding and nonbreeding grounds while illustrating potential interactions among populations that may spread diseases. We investigated Dunlin (Calidris alpina), a shorebird with a subspecies (C. a. arcticola) that migrates from nonbreeding areas endemic to avian influenza in eastern Asia to breeding grounds in northern Alaska. Using microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA, we illustrate genetic structure among six subspecies: C. a. arcticola,C. a. pacifica,C. a. hudsonia,C. a. sakhalina,C. a. kistchinski, and C. a. actites. We demonstrate that mitochondrial DNA can help distinguish C. a. arcticola on the Asian nonbreeding grounds with >70% accuracy depending on their relative abundance, indicating that genetics can help determine whether C. a. arcticola occurs where they may be exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) during outbreaks. Our data reveal asymmetric intercontinental gene flow, with some C. a. arcticola short-stopping migration to breed with C. a. pacifica in western Alaska. Because C. a. pacifica migrates along the Pacific Coast of North America, interactions between these subspecies and other taxa provide route for transmission of HPAI into other parts of North America.
authors: U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Corvallis, OR, USA.
authors: Mark P
authors: MP
authors: Miller
authors: U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Corvallis, OR, USA.
authors: Susan M
authors: SM
authors: Haig
authors: U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Corvallis, OR, USA.
authors: Thomas D
authors: TD
authors: Mullins
authors: U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Corvallis, OR, USA ; School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Nanchang University Nanchang, China.
authors: Luzhang
authors: L
authors: Ruan
authors: Izembek National Wildlife Refuge Cold Bay, AK, USA.
authors: Bruce
authors: B
authors: Casler
authors: Beringia National Park Providenia, Russia.
authors: Alexei
authors: A
authors: Dondua
authors: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Management Anchorage, AK, USA.
authors: H River
authors: HR
authors: Gates
authors: U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Corvallis, OR, USA.
authors: J Matthew
authors: JM
authors: Johnson
authors: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Fairbanks, AK, USA.
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Kendall
authors: Zoological Museum, Lomonosov Moscow State University Moscow, Russia.
authors: Pavel S
authors: PS
authors: Tomkovich
authors: Anchor Point AK, USA.
authors: Diane
authors: D
authors: Tracy
authors: Institute of Biology and Soil Science, Russian Academy of Science Vladivostok, Russia.
authors: Olga P
authors: OP
authors: Valchuk
authors: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Management Anchorage, AK, USA.
authors: Richard B
authors: RB
authors: Lanctot
keywords: Calidris alpina; Dunlin; genetic structure; highly pathogenic avian influenza; human disease; influenza A; migratory connectivity; migratory short-stopping