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Integrating genomics and telomere dynamics to understand climate adaptation in a migratory songbird

dc.contributor.authorRodriguez, Marina D., author
dc.contributor.authorRuegg, Kristen C., advisor
dc.contributor.authorBailey, Susan F., committee member
dc.contributor.authorBay, Rachael A., committee member
dc.contributor.authorHoke, Kim L., committee member
dc.date.accessioned2025-06-02T15:21:17Z
dc.date.available2026-05-28
dc.date.issued2025
dc.description.abstractDeclines in avian species have become widespread due to numerous threats, including anthropogenic climate change. Migratory birds, which occupy multiple environments throughout their annual cycle, are particularly vulnerable. Understanding and predicting the response of migratory bird species to climate change is critical for targeted conservation efforts and the mitigation of further declines. A key factor in species resilience lies in their ability to genetically adapt to changing environments. Recent advances in conservation genomics have improved our ability to detect local adaptation and predict maladaptation to climate change in non-model species. In my dissertation, I test the overall hypothesis that integrating telomere dynamics and conservation genomics will allow for the identification and validation of fitness-related traits in studies of local adaptation. With this hypothesis, I aim to uncover potential mechanisms of local adaptation and assess the impacts of climate change on the yellow warbler (Setophaga petechia). In my first chapter, I link genetic, phenotypic, and environmental data with telomere length measurements to enhance our understanding of local adaptation and the effects of climate change in this species. In the second chapter, I combine models of genomic offsets with telomere data to validate the prediction that yellow warblers inhabiting regions with high genomic offset experience elevated physiological stress due to climate change. Finally, in my third chapter, I investigate local adaptation to the non-breeding grounds and test whether climate tracking reflects local adaptation across the annual cycle in this migratory species. Taken together, my doctoral research highlights the importance of understanding local adaptation to inform population responses to the changing climate. Importantly, this work represents the first demonstration of how integrating methodologies from modern genomics and assessment of biological measures of stress like telomeres can advance our knowledge of wild species' responses to environmental change and enhance conservation efforts.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediumdoctoral dissertations
dc.identifierRodriguez_colostate_0053A_18865.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/241049
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2020-
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.rights.accessEmbargo expires: 05/28/2026.
dc.subjectgenomic offset
dc.subjectmaladaptation
dc.subjecttelomere
dc.subjectlocal adaptation
dc.subjectclimate change
dc.subjectSetophaga petechia
dc.titleIntegrating genomics and telomere dynamics to understand climate adaptation in a migratory songbird
dc.typeText
dcterms.embargo.expires2026-05-28
dcterms.embargo.terms2026-05-28
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineBiology
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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