The three genetically distinct populations of Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) (left map) across the breeding range: Western (blue), Southeastern (yellow), and Florida (red). Individuals sampled on the wintering grounds (right map) were then assigned back to a genetic cluster, allowing us to better understand the migratory connectivity of Grasshopper Sparrow populations. Genetic clusters are visualized as transparency levels of different colors overlaid overlaid upon a base map from Natural Earth (naturalearthdata.com) and clipped to the species breeding range using an eBird shapefile. Grasshopper Sparrow Image by © Birds of the World
In collaboration with Jim Austin and Celine Carneiro at the Univeresity of Florida, Brandt Ryder at Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, the Smithsonian Institute’s Center for Conservation Genomics, and others, we’ve constructed a genoscape for the Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum).
If you are interested in collecting or donating Grasshopper Sparrow samples from any location across its breeding and wintering grounds, please contact us via email to learn more about how you can contribute to the project!