<div>Population structure of <i>Calidris alpina</i> and separation of
subspecies at a stopover on the intertidal mudflats of Jiangsu Province,
China</div><div>Dunlin (<i>Calidris alpina</i> ) is a
polymorphic species with a complex of subspecies. A migration stopover
site on the intertidal mudflats of Jiangsu Province, China, has a
pivotal role in the migratory connectivity of dunlin along the East
Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF). However, to date, the dunlin
subspecies that visit the coast of China during migration remains
uncertain. To determine the subspecies, an integrated approach based on
mitochondrial DNA, ring recoveries, and morphological traits was used to
analyze dunlins sampled at the Jiangsu stopover site. Alaskan and
Beringian lineages were the two dominant lineages that migrated through
Jiangsu, and the number of dunlins from the Alaskan lineage greatly
exceeded that from other lineages. According to genetic analysis, the
proportion of identified lineages was greater than 70%. At least four
subspecies were detected in eastern Jiangsu Province, including<i>C.</i> <i>a. actites</i> , <i>C</i> . <i>a. kistchinski</i> , <i>C</i> .<i>a. sakhalina</i> , and <i>C.</i> <i>a. arcticola</i> . There were
significant differences in morphological characters between years,
suggesting that proportions of subspecies at the stopover varied over
time and that different subspecies adopted different migratory
strategies and timings. The findings of this study highlight the need to
further consider how subspecies contribute to the composition of
populations and migratory connectivity of dunlin.</div><div>Keywords: <i>Calidris alpina</i> , Subspecies, Stopover, Population
structure</div>