DOI: 10.5068/d1ct14
title: Combining genomic and field analyses to reveal migratory status in a burrowing owl population

description: Partial migration, in which some members of a population migrate and
 others do not, is a widely-occurring strategy among animal species, but
 studies of this behavior are impeded by the difficultly in distinguishing
 migrant from resident individuals.  We used a combination of
 genomic sequencing and bird banding to determine the migratory status of
 individuals in a declining population of western burrowing owls (Athene
 cunicularia hypugaea) in northern California. We banded individuals for
 four consecutive years in winter and summer. Each summer we looked for
 birds we had banded in the winter.  Using genomic analysis, we
 analyzed feathers from winter birds and birds found in the summer to
 assess migratory status and interactions between winter and summer
 birds.  We found a pattern of migration in which birds from
 outside the region joined resident birds at the breeding sites in the
 winter, but disappeared by the next breeding season. These results fit the
 pattern for partial breeding migration.  Although we never
 observed any individuals in a breeding season that we banded -in winter,
 genomic analysis showed that small numbers of migrants stayed into the
 summer and bred with resident birds to produce hybrids between residents
 and migrants.  This interaction brings different genetic material
 into the small resident population, a contribution that may benefit this
 declining population.  This work demonstrates the value of
 combining genomic assessments of migratory status with careful field
 measurements to better characterize population structure and inform
 management actions.
description: # Combining genomic and field analyses to reveal migratory status in a
 burrowing owl population We used a
 combination of genomic sequencing and bird banding to determine the
 migratory status of individuals in a declining population of western
 burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) in northern California. We
 banded individuals for four consecutive years in winter and summer. Each
 summer we surveyed for birds we had banded during previous winters. Using
 genomic analysis, we analyzed feathers from birds found in winter and
 summer to assess migratory status and interactions between winter and
 summer owls. ## Description of the data and file structure 1\)   
 *BUOW.DNA01_B2020.104SNP_assays.3loc.str*: is the structure genotype input
 file that includes 106 individuals, 104 variants, and 3 location priors:
 1= migrant (or not a Northern California resident), 2= resident and 3=
 unknown. We labeled all feathers collected as “unknown” because we were
 testing whether we could diagnose these individuals as migrant or
 resident. 2\)    *mainparams.BUOW.migr_res106ind.104SNP_assay.loc*: is the
 main parameter file for running structure. Structure was run 5 times for a
 K of 2, 104 loci and 106 individuals. 3\)   
 *BUOW.DNA01_B2020.cmpd_geno.104SNP_assays.genepop.wF1.txt*: The genepop
 file of migrants, resident and simulated F1 hybrid genotypes we used to
 simulate genotypes of hybrid categories using HybridLab 4\)   
 *BUOW.DNA01_B2020.cmpd_geno.104SNP_assays.NH_input.sample_prior*: The
 NewHybrids genotype input file for 106 individuals and 104 variants. We
 also included sample priors for known migrants and known residents. 5\)   
 *BUOW.sim_allHybridCat.NH_input.txt*: The NewHybrids genotype input file
 for all simulated hybrid categories (Pure resident, Pure migrant, F1, F2,
 Backcross resident, Backcross migrant). 100 genotypes of each hybrid
 category were simulated in HybridLab (file 3). 6\)   
 *BUOW.meta_inclSCfeathers.csv*: Meta data associated with the 106
 individuals in structure and NewHybrids analyses.