Phylogeography and population genetics

PhD Student: Pooja Pawar

Program: CEROS

Guide: Dr. Rohit Naniwadekar

Hornbills are large-bodied frugivores that offer an exciting opportunity for phylogeography and population genetic studies in the Indian subcontinent. For instance, Great Hornbill exhibits disjunct distribution in the Himalaya and Western Ghats. It would be interesting to know what events in the past lead to its disjuct distribution, and to test if the populations in both the regions are similar or distinct. Among hornbills, species vary in their body size (and likely dispersal abilities) and population densities. Their relatively lower population densities and reproductive rates than other birds make them highly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation. Many species have been reported as locally extinct within their range in north-east India and are classified in the Threatened category. Studies investigating population genetic structuring in hornbills have been lacking.

Given this background, I would like to investigate the role of paleoclimatic history, geographic barriers and anthropogenic threats in influencing the population genetic differentiation of threatened hornbill species. The key drivers I would like to focus on are the role of 1) paleoclimatic history in genetic differentiation of Great Hornbills between the Himalaya and the Western Ghats, 2) geographic barriers (e.g. Palghat Gap) in shaping the genetic differentiation of the large-bodied Great Hornbill and the small-bodied Malabar Grey Hornbill, and 3) habitat fragmentation in population genetic structuring of the hornbill species.

This study will provide a comparative perspective on the role of climatic, geographic, and anthropogenic factors in bird population divergence for a threatened group of birds such as hornbills.

This is the first study in India that will characterize the genomic information on hornbills. It will help us identify unique populations and inform conservation prioritization.

Pooja is known for her sharp nature. She did her bachelors in forestry followed by a masters in Wildlife Biology and Conservation at NCBS. She loves to write and translate. For fun she plays table tennis and go for cycling.