Meeting Abstract

P2.33  Tuesday, Jan. 5  Migratory Connectivity: A multi-marker approach to identify migratory individuals during the non-breeding season PAXTON, Kristina*; MOORE, Frank; IRWIN, Darren; The University of Southern Mississippi; The University of Southern Mississippi; University of British Columbia kristina.l.paxton@usm.edu

A comprehensive understanding of the biology of migratory species – their life histories, adaptations and population dynamics – requires knowledge of all phases of the annual cycle and the geographic connectivity among phases. That said, following individuals throughout their annual cycle poses a serious challenge, and our understanding of the physiology, behavior and ecology of migratory birds during stopover has been constrained by our lack of knowledge of a bird’s destination not to mention its point of departure. The utilization of intrinsic markers of population structure (i.e. stable isotopes, genetics) can be a powerful approach to geographically link individual migrants captured during stopover with breeding area destinations. We present the results of a Bayesian model that incorporates multiple markers (stable hydrogen isotopes, genetics, and plumage coloration) to assign Wilson’s warblers (Wilsonia pusilla) of known origin to different breeding areas. A preliminary model suggests that individuals captured during stopover can be assigned to breeding areas with an accuracy greater than 90%. The use of a multi-marker approach enhanced assignment accuracy – where one piece of information potentially had difficulty discerning between two regions, another allowed separation. The ability to identifying the spatial and temporal distribution of migratory birds utilizing intrinsic markers now allows us to integrate essential information about a bird’s general breeding destination with factors known to be important to a successful migration for a more comprehensive, integrated understanding of the stopover biology of landbird migrants.