Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

The overall goal of this research program is to understand processes that contribute to patterns in genetic diversity and gene flow among animal populations. These genetic features of populations are important components of overall biodiversity. I propose to use genetic tools to study two different kinds of animals: (a) those that naturally aggregate to breed at a small number of locations (colonial birds), and (b) those that used to be widespread but have recently been limited to breeding at specific locations because of habitat loss and fragmentation (prairie animals). I will assess how often these animals move between colonies or habitat patches, how much genetic information is exchanged, and whether populations exhibit evidence of subdivision, inbreeding, or reduced genetic variation. Ultimately I will use the population genetics data to advance our knowledge of the ecology and evolution of animals, and to facilitate more effective national and international conservation strategies. This program will focus on the Great Plains of North America because it has some of the most poorly studied populations of colonial birds, and the most highly fragmented habitats on the continent.