Genetic structure and impacts of contaminant exposure on longevity and physiology of declining aerial insectivores: an approach using multiple intrinsic markers

Funding period: 2020-2024
Lead: Keith Hobson
Total GRDI funding: $66,500

Aerial insectivores, including swallows and nightjars, are the steepest declining group of birds in Canada over the last 50 years and several species including Barn and Bank Swallows are listed on the Canadian Species at Risk Act. Conservation of populations is hindered by a lack of knowledge regarding basic population genetic structure for these species. Using genetic assays, we will examine population genetic structure across the North American ranges of multiple swallow species from tissue samples collected by ECCC. Using genomics and stable isotopes to link populations of aerial insectivores across the course of their annual life cycles (i.e. by linking populations between breeding, stopover, and wintering sites), our research can be used to identify potential impacts of stressors across broader geographic scales (i.e. populations) over the annual cycle and contribute to more effective conservation approaches for aerial insectivores.