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Morgan Peters

Genetic differentiation between northern and southern Andrean Condor

Natural populations with sufficient genetic variation have the ability to respond to changes in their environment and subsequently adapt to new or degraded habitats.   These responses can include changes in morphology, behavior, and life-history which often have a genetic under-pinning. However, the ability to elicit these types of evolutionary responses depends on the genetic variation present in the gene pool. Modern molecular techniques provide us with the tools necessary to measure genetic diversity within and between populations and to estimate population sizes.   The Andean Condor is a near threatened species, whose territory spans the backbone of the Andes Mountains.  Previous data has shown low variability throughout the population, and suggests that there may be significant genetic differentiation between the northern and southern populations.  My research aims to investigate if there is and to what extent significant genetic differentiation between the northern and southern populations.   Using microsatellite markers developed for the California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus), I will investigate 1) the level of genetic differentiation 2) the genetic distance and 3) the level of gene flow within and among the northern and southern populations.   I predict, based on a previous mitochondrial survey, that there will be moderate to high population structure, low gene flow and high genetic distance between the northern and southern Andean Condor populations.

Questions and comments regarding the Raptor Research Center: mark_fuller@usgs.gov
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  This page was last reviewed on 26 March 2008.