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    Published: December 30, 2011

    Genetic structure of birds in the Albertine Rift of Africa and implications for conservation and climate change

    Stephanie Ware, Manager, Morphology Labs, SEM

    DANIEL MONTGOMERY

    Junior Biology major at Indiana State University

    REU Mentors: Dr. John Bates (Curator, Zoology, Birds), Josh Engel (Research Assistant, Zoology, Birds)

    Symposium Presentation Title: Genetic Structure of Phyllastrephus fischeri in the Albertine Rift

    Symposium Presentation Abstract: The Albertine Rift comprises a chain of highlands stretching 1000km from north to south in East Africa. Many of the forested highland regions are isolated due to the geologic activity of the Rift. We set out to learn if the birds in these highlands have become genetically isolated. In order to asses this question, we sequenced two mitochondrial genes of 45 individuals of Phyllastrephus fischeri from various highland forests across the region. The results show two distinct geographic clades, one widespread clade and one limited to the Mt. Kabogo highlands in the south. Our original prediction that birds would show genetic isolation within the Albertine Rift was accurate. This research is important not only to further our understanding of evolution in the region, but also to help set conservation priorities in a region with limited conservation resources. Further research can look into other birds’ genetic structure in the Albertine Rift. If more birds from the Mt. Kabogo region are shown to be genetically distinct, it will highlight the importance of these forests for the conservation of genetic diversity.

    Original Project Description: The Albertine Rift, a long chain of highlands that runs through the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and western Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, is considered to be one of the most critical biodiversity hotspots in Africa.  Using samples that have been collected through long-term field work in the region, we are gathering DNA sequence data on the genetic structure of endemic birds to understand what structure exists and to study what that structure tells us about how these species will respond to changing climates in the region.  Our research includes isolating and sequencing DNA from 100 year-old museum specimens to compare with modern samples to assess if genetic structure has been altered over this short evolutionary period.  The documentation of genetic structure  in these birds will provide valuable data to guide long-term conservation planning in the region.

    Research methods and techniques: Interns will receive training in DNA extraction, PCR, and sequencing in the Museum’s core genetics facility, the Pritzker Laboratory and the DNA Discovery Center. Interns also will learn the basics of sequence data and phylogeographic analyses.

    Stephanie Ware
    Manager, Morphology Labs

    Stephanie started volunteering at the Field Museum in 1998, working with Curator John Bates in the Bird Division. In 1999, John Bates hired her as a research assistant. After that project finished in 2007, she went to work for Carl Dick in the Division of Insects helping him to complete his work on the museum's Bat Fly collection. She spent a great deal of time generating images for the Bat Fly portion of theDiptera Taxonomy Database. When Carl left for University of Kentucky in 2009, she continued her imaging work in the Insect Division. In the intervening years, she has imaged hundreds specimens, mostly types, from the rove beetle (Staphylinidae), ant and myriapoda collections.

    Stephanie began working with the Chicago Peregrine Program in 2006.  Initially, she monitored the Metropolitan Correctional Center nest in downtown Chicago.  Over time, her duties have expanded to include other nests in the metro region, emphasizing the identification of nesting adults.  In March of 2007, Stephanie created a group called Midwest Peregrine Falcons on the photo sharing website Flickr with the goal of providing a place for photographers across the country to submit their photographs of peregrine sightings in the Midwestern United States. She also has many of her own peregrine photos on Flickr as well.