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Genomic diversity and differentiation between island and mainland populations of White-tailed Eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla)
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  • Charles Christian Hansen,
  • Áki Láruson,
  • Jacob Rasmussen,
  • Jesus Ballesteros,
  • Mikkel-Holger Sinding,
  • Gunnar Hallgrimsson,
  • Robert Stefansson,
  • Menja von Schmalensee,
  • Kristinn Skarphédinsson,
  • Aili Labansen,
  • Madis Leivits,
  • Christian Sonne,
  • Rune Dietz,
  • Kim Skelmose,
  • David Boetmann,
  • Igor Eulaers,
  • Michael Martin,
  • Agnar Helgason,
  • M. Tomas P. Gilbert,
  • Snaebjorn Palsson
Charles Christian Hansen
University of Iceland

Corresponding Author:ccrhansen@gmail.com

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Áki Láruson
University of Iceland
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Jacob Rasmussen
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
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Jesus Ballesteros
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
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Mikkel-Holger Sinding
University of Copenhagen Globe Institute
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Gunnar Hallgrimsson
University of Iceland
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Robert Stefansson
West-Iceland Nature Research Centre
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Menja von Schmalensee
West-Iceland Nature Research Centre
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Kristinn Skarphédinsson
Iceland Institute of Natural History
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Aili Labansen
Greenland Institute of Natural Resources
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Madis Leivits
Estonian University of Life Sciences
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Christian Sonne
Aarhus Universitet
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Rune Dietz
Aarhus Universitet
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Kim Skelmose
Natural History Museum of Denmark
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David Boetmann
Aarhus Universitet
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Igor Eulaers
Aarhus Universitet
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Michael Martin
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
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Agnar Helgason
University of Iceland
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M. Tomas P. Gilbert
University of Copenhagen Globe Institute
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Snaebjorn Palsson
University of Iceland
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Abstract

Divergence in the face of high dispersal capabilities is a documented but poorly understood phenomenon. The white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) has a large geographic dispersal capability and should theoretically be able to maintain genetic homogeneity across its dispersal range. However, following analysis of the genomic variation of white-tailed eagles, from both historical and contemporary samples, clear signatures of ancient biogeographic substructure across Europe and the North-East Atlantic is observed. The greatest genomic differentiation was observed between island (Greenland and Iceland) and mainland (Denmark, Norway and Estonia) populations. The two island populations share a common ancestry from a single mainland population, distinct from the other sampled mainland populations, and despite the potential for high connectivity between Iceland and Greenland they are well separated from each other and are characterized by inbreeding and little variation. Temporal differences also highlight a pattern of regional populations persisting despite the potential for admixture. All sampled populations generally showed a decline in effective population size over time, which may have been shaped by four historical events: I) isolation of refugia during the last glacial period 110-115,000 years ago, II) population divergence following the colonization of the deglaciated areas ~10,000 years ago, III) human population expansion, which led to the settlement in Iceland ~1,100 years ago, and IV) human persecution and exposure to toxic pollutants during the last two centuries.
10 Nov 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Nov 2022Submitted to Molecular Ecology
14 Nov 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
13 Dec 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
03 Jan 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
03 Jan 20231st Revision Received
13 Jan 2023Editorial Decision: Accept