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Genomics of white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in the North-Atlantic islands reveal low diversity and substantial inbreeding in comparison with the mainland populations
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  • Charles Christian Hansen,
  • 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:ccr3@hi.is

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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

Using whole genome shotgun sequences from 92 white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) sampled from Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, and Turkey between 1885-1950 and after 1990, we investigate the genomic variation within countries over time, and between countries. Clear genetic differentiation is observed between samples from the different countries, with the largest differences between the island and mainland populations, and indications that the island populations share the most recent ancestry with the Norwegian population. We find signs of strong inbreeding in the island populations. Further, temporal differences are observed in some populations, for example, replacement of the Danish gene pool following its population’s extinction in the early 20th century, as well as a change in the genetic diversity of the Icelandic population following a severe bottleneck during the last century, all of which could warrant a further conservation effort in Iceland. More generally, all populations show a decline in effective population size, which may have been shaped by I) distinct refugia during the last glacial period, II) population divergence following the colonization of the deglaciated areas ~10,000 years ago, III) human population expansion and e.g., settlement in Iceland ~1,100 years ago, and IV) human persecution and toxic pollutants during the last two centuries.