Combining individual-based radio-tracking with whole-genome sequencing
data reveals candidate for genetic basis of partial migration in a
songbird
Abstract
Partial migration is a phenomenon where migratory and resident
individuals of the same species co-exist within a population, and has
been linked to both intrinsic (e.g., genetic) as well as environmental
factors. Here we investigated the genomic architecture of partial
migration in the Common blackbird, a songbird that comprises resident
populations in the southern distribution range, partial migratory
populations in central Europe and exclusively migratory populations in
northern and eastern Europe. We generated whole-genome sequencing data
for 60 individuals across the species’ distribution range, including
resident populations (Spain and France), obligate migrants (Russia), and
a partial migratory population with equal numbers of migratory and
resident individuals in Germany. We estimated genetic differentiation
(FST) of single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in 2.5 kb windows between all
possible population and migratory phenotype combinations, and focused
our characterization on birds from the partial migratory population in
Germany that have been individually phenotyped with radio-telemetry
tracking. Despite overall low differentiation within the partial
migratory German population, we identified several outlier regions with
elevated differentiation on four distinct chromosomes. The region with
the highest relative and absolute differentiation was located on
chromosome 9, overlapping PER2, which has previously been shown to be
involved in the control of the circadian rhythm across vertebrates.
While this region showed high levels of differentiation, no fixed
variant could be identified, supporting the notion that a complex
phenotype such as migratory behavior is likely controlled by a large
number of genetic loci.