Journal Article

Combining individual‐based radio‐tracking with whole‐genome sequencing data reveals candidate for genetic basis of partial migration in a songbird

Weissensteiner, Matthias H, Biogéosciences [UMR 6282] (BGS) ; École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE) ; Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL)-Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Bourgogne Europe (UBE), Pokrovsky, Ivan, Delmore, Kira, Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics [Stockholm, Sweden] ; Swedish Museum of Natural History (NRM), Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences [Oldenburg] ; Carl Von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg = Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg (OFFIS), Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology ; Columbia University [New York], Vogelwarte, Faivre, Bruno, Peona, Valentina, Partecke, Jesko, Blas, Julio, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology ; Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Study supported by the Max Planck Society (MPRG grant MFFALIMN0001 to ML, and sequencing grant MSPAORNR0002), and the DFG (project Nav05 within SFB 1372—Magnetoreception and

2025

Overview

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, each of which was phenotyped for migratory behavior using radio‐telemetry tracking. These individuals were sampled 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 (F ST ) 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. 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.

• Publisher: Wiley Open Access,CCSD,John Wiley & Sons, Inc,Wiley
• Subject: Automation / Behavior / Biodiversity and Ecology / Bird migration / Chromosome 9 / Chromosomes / Circadian rhythms / Differentiation / Ecosystems and species history / Ekosystem och arthistoria / Environmental factors / Environmental Sciences / Gene sequencing / Genomes / genomics / Genotype & phenotype / Geographical distribution / Migratory species / Molecular weight / Nucleotides / partial migration / Period 2 protein / period gene / Phenotypes / Physiology / Population genetics / Populations / Quantitative genetics / Receivers & amplifiers / songbird / Songbirds / Telemetry / Tracking / Vertebrates / Whole genome sequencing