Genetic and environmental influences on fitness-related traits in an endangered shorebird population

Sarah P. Saunders; Francesca J. Cuthbert

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2014.06.005

Genetic and environmental influences on fitness-related traits in an endangered shorebird population

Sarah P. Saunders, Francesca J. Cuthbert

Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Adaptation depends on the additive genetic variance for fitness and its component traits. Yet estimating additive genetic variance and heritability for wild populations is challenging because determining relatedness of individuals is difficult. We used 20years (1994-2013) of phenotypic records from mark-recapture data and a multi-generational pedigree to estimate quantitative genetic variation in three fitness-related traits in Great Lakes piping plovers (Charadrius melodus), an endangered wild shorebird. Genetic and environmental components of variance as well as heritabilities were estimated using Bayesian inference for animal models. Phenotypic variation in age-corrected chick mass was composed of a significant additive genetic component (h²=0.27; 95% credible interval: 0.16-0.38), and hatch year, common maternal environment, and hatch site effects. Conversely, natal dispersal distance and female breeding time were not significantly heritable (h²=0.03; 95% CI: 0.0-0.11; h²=0.08, 95% CI: 0.0-0.22, respectively). Rather, environmental factors (e.g., breeding site) are the main sources of variation in these two traits. Variation in female breeding time was minimally influenced by her mate and was moderately repeatable. The low potential for natal dispersal and breeding time to evolve may limit the ability of this population to adapt to climate change long-term. However, trait alteration could occur by a phenotypically plastic response, allowing rapid adjustment to novel environmental conditions and short-term persistence. Depending on the relative contribution of genetic and environmental influences on the trait(s) of interest, results from quantitative genetic studies can also help identify management priorities for endangered populations.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	26-34
Number of pages	9
Journal	Biological Conservation
Volume	177
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2014.06.005
State	Published - Sep 2014

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We thank all who have been involved in plover banding efforts over the past 20 years, especially E. Roche, L. Wemmer, J. Stucker, E. Price, M. Westbrock, S. Schubel, A. Smith, C. Smith, and A. Van Zoeren. We acknowledge the University of Michigan Biological Station for continued support of piping plover research efforts and we are grateful to R. Shaw, T. Arnold, and R. Blair for comments on an earlier version of this manuscript. We appreciate the insightful comments provided by five anonymous reviewers. Funding for this study was provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. F. Cuthbert was supported by funds from the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.

Copyright:
Copyright 2014 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

Animal model
Breeding time
Heritability
Mass
Natal dispersal
Piping plover

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.biocon.2014.06.005

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title = "Genetic and environmental influences on fitness-related traits in an endangered shorebird population",

abstract = "Adaptation depends on the additive genetic variance for fitness and its component traits. Yet estimating additive genetic variance and heritability for wild populations is challenging because determining relatedness of individuals is difficult. We used 20years (1994-2013) of phenotypic records from mark-recapture data and a multi-generational pedigree to estimate quantitative genetic variation in three fitness-related traits in Great Lakes piping plovers (Charadrius melodus), an endangered wild shorebird. Genetic and environmental components of variance as well as heritabilities were estimated using Bayesian inference for animal models. Phenotypic variation in age-corrected chick mass was composed of a significant additive genetic component (h2=0.27; 95% credible interval: 0.16-0.38), and hatch year, common maternal environment, and hatch site effects. Conversely, natal dispersal distance and female breeding time were not significantly heritable (h2=0.03; 95% CI: 0.0-0.11; h2=0.08, 95% CI: 0.0-0.22, respectively). Rather, environmental factors (e.g., breeding site) are the main sources of variation in these two traits. Variation in female breeding time was minimally influenced by her mate and was moderately repeatable. The low potential for natal dispersal and breeding time to evolve may limit the ability of this population to adapt to climate change long-term. However, trait alteration could occur by a phenotypically plastic response, allowing rapid adjustment to novel environmental conditions and short-term persistence. Depending on the relative contribution of genetic and environmental influences on the trait(s) of interest, results from quantitative genetic studies can also help identify management priorities for endangered populations.",

keywords = "Animal model, Breeding time, Heritability, Mass, Natal dispersal, Piping plover",

author = "Saunders, {Sarah P.} and Cuthbert, {Francesca J.}",

note = "Funding Information: We thank all who have been involved in plover banding efforts over the past 20 years, especially E. Roche, L. Wemmer, J. Stucker, E. Price, M. Westbrock, S. Schubel, A. Smith, C. Smith, and A. Van Zoeren. We acknowledge the University of Michigan Biological Station for continued support of piping plover research efforts and we are grateful to R. Shaw, T. Arnold, and R. Blair for comments on an earlier version of this manuscript. We appreciate the insightful comments provided by five anonymous reviewers. Funding for this study was provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. F. Cuthbert was supported by funds from the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. Copyright: Copyright 2014 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.",

year = "2014",

month = sep,

doi = "10.1016/j.biocon.2014.06.005",

language = "English (US)",

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journal = "Biological Conservation",

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AU - Cuthbert, Francesca J.

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PY - 2014/9

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N2 - Adaptation depends on the additive genetic variance for fitness and its component traits. Yet estimating additive genetic variance and heritability for wild populations is challenging because determining relatedness of individuals is difficult. We used 20years (1994-2013) of phenotypic records from mark-recapture data and a multi-generational pedigree to estimate quantitative genetic variation in three fitness-related traits in Great Lakes piping plovers (Charadrius melodus), an endangered wild shorebird. Genetic and environmental components of variance as well as heritabilities were estimated using Bayesian inference for animal models. Phenotypic variation in age-corrected chick mass was composed of a significant additive genetic component (h2=0.27; 95% credible interval: 0.16-0.38), and hatch year, common maternal environment, and hatch site effects. Conversely, natal dispersal distance and female breeding time were not significantly heritable (h2=0.03; 95% CI: 0.0-0.11; h2=0.08, 95% CI: 0.0-0.22, respectively). Rather, environmental factors (e.g., breeding site) are the main sources of variation in these two traits. Variation in female breeding time was minimally influenced by her mate and was moderately repeatable. The low potential for natal dispersal and breeding time to evolve may limit the ability of this population to adapt to climate change long-term. However, trait alteration could occur by a phenotypically plastic response, allowing rapid adjustment to novel environmental conditions and short-term persistence. Depending on the relative contribution of genetic and environmental influences on the trait(s) of interest, results from quantitative genetic studies can also help identify management priorities for endangered populations.

AB - Adaptation depends on the additive genetic variance for fitness and its component traits. Yet estimating additive genetic variance and heritability for wild populations is challenging because determining relatedness of individuals is difficult. We used 20years (1994-2013) of phenotypic records from mark-recapture data and a multi-generational pedigree to estimate quantitative genetic variation in three fitness-related traits in Great Lakes piping plovers (Charadrius melodus), an endangered wild shorebird. Genetic and environmental components of variance as well as heritabilities were estimated using Bayesian inference for animal models. Phenotypic variation in age-corrected chick mass was composed of a significant additive genetic component (h2=0.27; 95% credible interval: 0.16-0.38), and hatch year, common maternal environment, and hatch site effects. Conversely, natal dispersal distance and female breeding time were not significantly heritable (h2=0.03; 95% CI: 0.0-0.11; h2=0.08, 95% CI: 0.0-0.22, respectively). Rather, environmental factors (e.g., breeding site) are the main sources of variation in these two traits. Variation in female breeding time was minimally influenced by her mate and was moderately repeatable. The low potential for natal dispersal and breeding time to evolve may limit the ability of this population to adapt to climate change long-term. However, trait alteration could occur by a phenotypically plastic response, allowing rapid adjustment to novel environmental conditions and short-term persistence. Depending on the relative contribution of genetic and environmental influences on the trait(s) of interest, results from quantitative genetic studies can also help identify management priorities for endangered populations.

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ER -

Genetic and environmental influences on fitness-related traits in an endangered shorebird population

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

UN SDGs

Publisher link

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