Integrating genetic and stable isotope analyses to infer the population structure of the White-winged Snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis in Western Europe (original) (raw)
Ibis, 2019
Understanding spatial linkages between areas used by migratory animals during the annual cycle is fundamental to their conservation. Stable isotope measurements of animal tissues can be a valuable tool in understanding spatial connectivity and migration phenology of migratory wildlife. We inferred natal origins of two migratory passerines, European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca and European Robin Erithacus rubecula, captured during autumn migration in the Italian Alps, by combining feather δ2H (δ2Hf) and ring recovery data. We used a spatially explicit likelihood‐based method to assign individuals to a precipitation δ2H surface calibrated to represent feather δ2H, together with the directional probability of origin from ring recoveries. The highest probabilities of origin for most individuals of both species were in central and north‐eastern Europe. Seasonal trends in δ2Hf, which described the species’ migratory phenology through the Italian Alps, were correlated with feather δ...