Image by © Andrew Weitzel

Common Yellowthroat

The five genetically distinct populations of Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) (left map) across the breeding range. Individuals sampled on the wintering grounds (right map) were then assigned back to a genetic cluster, allowing us to better understand the migratory connectivity of Common Yellowthroat populations. Genetic clusters are visualized as transparency levels of different colors overlaid overlaid upon a base map from Natural Earth (naturalearthdata.com) and clipped to the species breeding range using an eBird shapefile. See below for details of samples used. Common Yellowthroat Image by © Birds of the World

The Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) is one of the most common and widely-distributed wood warblers in North America, breeding across much of Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico (Guzy and Ritchison 1999). Despite it’s widespread distribution, some populations, like those in California, are listed as Species of Special Concern (Shuford and Gardali 2008). Their numbers in California have decreased largely due to the alteration and destruction of the wetland habitats they rely on. These habitats have been lost to human development, including the installation of alternative energy sources like solar fields.

In addition to removing natural habitats, alternative energy source also pose a threat to migratory birds due to collisions with energy components that lead to mortalities. As California and other states scale up alternative energy development, it is imperative that we understand the impacts on migratory birds, and specific populations of concern. With the help of numerous collaborators (see below) we used our genomic methodologies to characterize the population genomic structure of the Common Yellowthroat across its entire breeding range, and how those genetic groups may be impacted by solar energy sites. We scanned the genomes of 660 individuals from 88 breeding and wintering locations to identify 5 genetically distinct populations of the Common Yellowthroat (left map) California (red), Midwest (blue), Atlantic Coast (purple), West (green), and Southwest (orange). These five populations can serve as the foundation for Common Yellowthroat conservation and management. The right map depicts where members of each breeding population in spend the winter.

After scanning the genomes of 27 Common Yellowthroat carcasses gathered at solar facilities across California, it was found that these individuals came from the large Western population rather than the smallest and declining California-endemic population. This work provides the state of California and future energy developers with much needed tools for siting and monitoring renewable energy facilities and their impact on specific populations of migratory birds.

See below for details of samples used.

Read below to learn about our work constructing the genoscape for the Common Yellowthroat:

Ruegg KC, Bossu CM, Rajbhandary J, Fuller T, Harrigan R, and T Smith. 2020. A genoscape framework for assessing the population-level impacts of renewable energy development on migratory bird specices in California. California Energy Commission: CEC-500-2020-036

Check back later for access to the sequencing data.

The following individuals were instrumental in the development of the genoscape manuscript:

Jasmine Rajbhandary

Trevon Fuller, UCLA

The following individuals & groups contributed samples, equipment, or laboratory space to help develop the genoscape:

A. Patterson

B. Kus

R. Taylor

B. Keith

B. Shepherd & M. Wesbrook

C. Millard

H. Chambers

J. & D. Downy

J. Port

K. Slankard

K. Allen

M. Fylling

T. Kita

MAPs station operators within the Institute of Bird Populations Network

qb3 Genomics Sequencing Laboratory

UC Davis Genome Center