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Recent years have seen considerable progress in applying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to population genetics studies. However, relatively few have attempted to use them to study the genetic differentiation of wild bird populations and none have examined possible differences of exonic and intronic SNPs in these studies. Here, using 144 SNPs, we examined population genetic differentiation in the saker falcon (Falco cherrug) across Eurasia. The position of each SNP was verified using the recently sequenced saker genome with 108 SNPs positioned within the introns of 10 fragments and 36 SNPs in the exons of six genes, comprising MHC, MC1R and four others. In contrast to intronic SNPs, both Bayesian clustering and principal component analyses using exonic SNPs consistently revealed two genetic clusters, within which the least admixed individuals were found in Europe/central Asia and Qinghai (China), respectively. Pairwise D analysis for exonic SNPs showed that the two populations were significantly differentiated and between the two clusters the frequencies of five SNP markers were inferred to be influenced by selection. Central Eurasian populations clustered in as intermediate between the two main groups, consistent with their geographic position. But the westernmost populations of central Europe showed evidence of demographic isolation. Our work highlights the importance of functional exonic SNPs for studying population genetic pattern in a widespread avian species.

Concentrations of four trace elements (Cd, Ni, Cu and Pb) were determined in eggshells of grey heron (Ardea cinerea) and black-crowned night herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) from Nallihan Bird Paradise, which is located in the northern part of Sariyar Dam Reservoir, Turkey. Results indicated that, within the same area, these ardeid species differed in the levels of Cd, Cu and Pb in their eggshells (generally grey heron > night heron), possibly because females may have foraged in different habitats and regions. Geometric means found for Cd, Ni, Cu and Pb in eggshells were 0.931 mg/kg, 0.405 mg/kg, 6.755 mg/kg and 4.567 mg/kg, respectively, for grey heron; and 0.230 mg/kg, 0.220 mg/kg, 1.369 mg/kg and 1.108 mg/kg, respectively, for night heron. High bioaccumulation from sediments to eggshells occured for Cu and Pb, while Cd and Ni exhibited low accumulation. Bioaccumulation ratios were calculated as 19.63 (Cu) and 22.9 (Pb) in eggshells of grey herons. In conclusion, eggshells of grey herons appeared to be good bioindicators for monitoring of Cu and Pb in Nallihan Bird Paradise.

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