Meeting Abstract
Population genetics studies of Loggerhead Shrikes (Laniidae: Lanius ludovicianus) in California have indicated considerable intraspecific genetic differentiation. Other morphological and behavioral studies have also shown geographic phenotypic variation. However, the concordance between genetic and phenotypic differentiation remains obscure. Here we explore the extent to which genetic differences among populations are correlated with phenotypic differences (beak shape and bite force) among populations of Loggerhead Shrikes throughout California. Feather samples were collected from shrikes in locations along an approximately 950 km range. Genomic DNA was then extracted and we genotyped each individual at 7 different nuclear microsatellite loci. Preliminary pairwise Fst values, along with MULTICULST analyses show evidence of population structure among some of these locations, suggesting a potential genetic basis to the observed phenotypic differences among some, but not all, populations. We expect that by increasing our genotyping with more microsatellite loci and sampling more individuals across California, we can perform more rigorous analyses of population structure that will shed light on the relative roles of local adaptation and plasticity in shaping differences in feeding morphology and function.
