Date of Award
6-12-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Biology, MS
First Advisor
Andrew Sweet
Committee Members
Kyle Gustafson; Than Boves
Call Number
ISBN 9798280759909
Abstract
Organisms on oceanic island archipelagos often exhibit strong genetic signatures and adaptations. Here, we focus on Common Ground Doves (Columbina passerina) and their parasitic lice, Physconelloides body lice and Columbicola wing lice, across the Caribbean islands to examine phylogeography, population genetics, and the “Island rule”. We used genome-wide sequences and found C. passerina doves and their lice exhibited unique dispersal patterns and phylogenetic relationships; however, similar population structure. We also found distinct patterns of genetic diversity between Physconelloides and Columbicola, likely caused by variations in their dispersal abilities. Additionally, we measured C. passerina specimens and their lice to compare island and mainland body sizes. Although we found little support for the “Island rule” in doves, however, we did observed differences between on specific island and mainland subspecies. We also found body lice have greater differences in body size between islands and mainland than wing lice.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Brewer, Paige Jordan, "Evolutionary Influences on Oceanic Islands Parasites: Phylogeography, Genetic Structure, And The “Island Rule” Of Common Ground Doves (Columbina Passerina) And Their Lice" (2025). Student Theses and Dissertations. 1066.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/1066
