Genetic analysis of migration in two avian influenza vectors: Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) and Common Pochard (Aythya ferina)

Wild birds probably play a role in the introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 into Europe. Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) and Common Pochard (Aythya ferina), two long distance migrants are regarded as potential vectors of avian influenza. In Switzerland, the incidence of H5N1 was particularly high in these two species. During my PhD, I’m using mitochondrial DNA sequence and microsatellite loci to elucidate the population structures of both species through Palearctic realm. Therefore my project aims at determining the levels of genetic differentiation among breeding populations throughout the range of the two species and inferring the origin of ducks on European and Asian wintering grounds.