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Molecular Characterization of Hybridization Between Magellanic (Spheniscus magellanicus) and Humboldt (Spheniscus humboldti) Penguins in the Wild.

Hibbets, Eric Matthew
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1562071641076803

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Biological Sciences.
The process of hybridization between closely related species plays an important role in defining the genetic integrity and overall genetic diversity of species. The distribution range of Magellanic (Spheniscus magellanicus) and Humboldt (Spheniscus humboldti) penguins is predominantly allopatric; however, the species share a region of sympatry where they can potentially hybridize. We analyzed four genetic markers (including nuclear and mitochondrial markers) to assess their utility in detecting hybridization events between Magellanic and Humboldt penguins. Genetic assessment of non-introgressed reference samples allowed us to identify three informative markers and detect positive evidence of hybridization events in the wild. Four out of six putative hybrids showed positive evidence of hybridization, revealed by the detection of Humboldt mitochondrial DNA and Magellanic species-specific alleles from nuclear markers. Bayesian Structure analysis, including samples from the sympatric region of the species in the southern Pacific Ocean, confirmed the utility of nuclear markers for detecting hybridization and genetic admixture of putative hybrids, but revealed relatively low levels of genetic introgression at the population level. These findings provide insight into the evolution of reproductive isolation mechanisms and their potential consequences on the levels of genetic introgression, genetic diversity, and conservation of populations located at the overlapping range of these species.
Juan L. Bouzat, PhD (Advisor)
Andrew J. Gregory, PhD (Committee Member)
Kevin E. McCluney, PhD (Committee Member)
72 p.
Biology; Conservation; Genetics
genetic introgression; genetic markers; hybridization; Sphenisciformes

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hibbets, E. M. (2019). Molecular Characterization of Hybridization Between Magellanic (Spheniscus magellanicus) and Humboldt (Spheniscus humboldti) Penguins in the Wild. [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1562071641076803

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hibbets, Eric. Molecular Characterization of Hybridization Between Magellanic (Spheniscus magellanicus) and Humboldt (Spheniscus humboldti) Penguins in the Wild. 2019. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1562071641076803.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hibbets, Eric. "Molecular Characterization of Hybridization Between Magellanic (Spheniscus magellanicus) and Humboldt (Spheniscus humboldti) Penguins in the Wild." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1562071641076803

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1562071641076803
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© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.