Genetic Structure of California Gnatcatcher Populations in Southern California from 2012 through 2013

Publication Date

2018-12-07

Start Date

2012-05-02

End Date

2013-09-25

Kus, B.E., and Vandergast, A.G., 2018, Genetic structure of California Gnatcatcher populations in southern California from 2012 through 2013: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F77D2SBP.

Type: Related Primary Publication

The target was to collect samples from at least five territories at each California Gnatcatcher population, for a total projected sample of approximately 250 individuals across the range. The number of adults sampled was reduced when we collected samples from nestlings instead (where a nest counts as one genetic sample to avoid introducing a bias by analyzing sibling groups). We used historic survey data on California Gnatcatcher occurrence to select study sites representing a range of population sizes and degree of isolation from one another. We sampled populations from throughout the range of the California Gnatcatcher, including those in the vicinities of (from north to south): Ventura County, Palos Verdes Peninsula, San Dimas area, Puente Hills/Chino Hills, Redlands, southern and central Orange County, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Aguanga area in western Riverside County, San Pasqual Valley, Lake Jennings, Sweetwater Reservoir, and Otay Valley. Specific project objectives were to: • Collect blood samples from California Gnatcatcher populations throughout southern California. • Develop a minimum of 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci that amplify DNA from California Gnatcatchers. • Use microsatellite markers to evaluate within- and among- population genetic variability.

• USGS Data Release Products
• USGS Western Ecological Research Center

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