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Wildlife Society Bulletin
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY
Data sources: Crossref
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Genetic structuring and within‐flock relatedness of eastern wild turkeys

Authors: Sara A. Watkins; Erin E. Ulrey; Nicholas W. Bakner; Patrick H. Wightman; Bridgett M. VonHoldt; Bret A. Collier; Michael J. Chamberlain;

Genetic structuring and within‐flock relatedness of eastern wild turkeys

Abstract

Abstract Genetic characterization of local populations is essential to understand how behavioral and ecological processes shape the spatial distribution of genetic variation. The eastern wild turkey ( Meleagris gallopavo silvestris ) is the most widely distributed subspecies of wild turkey; however, there remains a paucity of information on population genetics and genetic associations within winter flocks. Using a population genomics approach, we investigated the genetic structure and within‐flock relatedness of 379 wild turkeys in Louisiana, Georgia, and South Carolina, USA, during 2020‐2021. We observed that genetic clustering varied across our sampling area. At broad spatial scales, eastern wild turkeys clustered into 4 distinct genetic clusters, one each in Georgia and South Carolina, and 2 in Louisiana. We noted a greater degree of genetic separation than expected at some study sites, with an increased degree of genetic structure within one study site in Louisiana, suggesting a lack of gene flow. Furthermore, the probability of within‐flock relatedness was lowest at a study site where spring harvest of males did not occur. Within‐flock relatedness varied by sex and age relationships across study sites. Our findings provide relevant knowledge about flock demographics in wild turkeys and evidence of variable genetic structure in wild turkey populations.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
gold