Fine-scale genetic structure of eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) and the influence of kinship on female social structure

Using 54, 834 SNP variants on 414 wild turkeys I found regional variations in fine-scale genetic structure across the southeastern United States. I also used 3,498 SNP variants and GPS data on 389 turkeys to show regional variations in kin clustering among winter flocks. We found genetic relatedness was highest in a spatially fragmented region, and lowest in a population not subjected to hunting. These finding suggest fine-scale variations in genetic structure may be linked to various ecological processes such as habitat fragmentation, dispersal, and kin clustering. Additionally, I used 3,789 SNP variants and GPS data on 155 female wild turkeys to quantify social interactions and visualize social networks. Social networks and group dynamics were variable across the reproductive season. Sociality drops significantly between the pre-laying and laying phase and contacts in all phases are predominantly between unrelated individuals.