Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

A genetic study to aid in restoration of murres, guillemots and murrelets to the Gulf of Alaska

December 31, 2003

Genetic data are needed to aid in restoring several species of seabirds to the Gulf of Alaska. We analyzed sequence variation in mitochondrial DNA, microsatellite DNA and nuclear introns in samples of commom murres (Uria aalge), pigeon guillemots (Cepphus columba) and marbled murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) from throughout the North Pacific. Data were analyzed using traditional approaches, nested clade analyses and assignment tests. No cryptic species were found, and there was no strong evidence for inbreeding, low genetic variation, or souce or sink regions in any them. Pacific common murres constitute a single genetic management unit (MU), but hybridization occurs between common and thick-billed murres (U. lomvia). In contrast, gene flow in pigeon guillemots is very restricted and population genetic structure is very strong; guillemots from the spill area are part of a MU that extends from the Alaska Peninsula to somewhere between Prince William Sound and Vancouver Island. Marbled murrelets in the spill area are part of a MU that extends from the Alaska Peninsula to at least British Columbia; tree- and ground-nesting murrelets are not genetically differentiated. Little if any hybridization occurs between marbled and Kittlitz's murrelets.

Publication Year 2003
Title A genetic study to aid in restoration of murres, guillemots and murrelets to the Gulf of Alaska
Authors Vicki L. Friesen, John F. Piatt
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype Other Report
Index ID 70187861
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Alaska Science Center