We characterize geographical variation in the genetics, ecology, morphology and plumage of the Hooded Plover Charadrius cucullatus, a threatened shorebird widespread on coasts (south-east) and saltlakes (south-west) across the southern mainland of Australia. We confirm the distinctness of populations on either side of the Nullabor Plain/Great Australian Bight indicating that this apparent biogeographic barrier to terrestrial flora and fauna also influenced the phylogeographic pattern of a resident shorebird which is dependent on access to saline/hypersaline water. Western birds are genetically distinct, larger and have darker plumage than those in the east. Distinct ecological differences also exist, with eastern birds being resident, usually occurring on ocean beaches, with generalised diets and seasonal, solitary breeding. Western birds are nomadic, breeding when suitable conditions prevail, and exhibit more specialized diets, and may at times breed semi-colonially. Within the extensive eastern population, genetic analyses revealed an isolation by distance pattern, as well as genetic evidence of a long distance dispersal event. South Australian birds are distinct from Victorian birds, but cluster closely with Victorian birds in all genetic analyses. The western population features little genetic structuring, consistent with nomadism and congregatory behavior associated with drought/flood events. The distinctness of western populations found using multiple lines of evidence and the lack of evidence for any recent migration events across the Nullabor Plain, suggests that previously described subspecies warrant reinstatement, and that these evolutionary units require conservation assessment, as has been recognized by national conservation authorities. Conservation management of the eastern population should occur across its distribution, taking care to capture the genetic variability which is evident within this population. Further exploration of genetic variation between Eastern states is suggested.

我们表征连帽P小CharCharadrius cucullatus的遗传，生态，形态和羽毛的地理变异是一种濒临灭绝的shore鸟，分布在澳大利亚南部大陆的沿海地区（东南）和盐湖地区（西南）。我们确认了Nullabor平原/澳大利亚大海岸线两侧的种群的独特性，表明对陆地动植物群的这种明显的生物地理障碍也影响了依赖于获取盐水/超碱性水的常驻水鸟的地理学格局。西方鸟类与东方鸟类相比，在基因上截然不同，更大且羽毛更暗。还存在明显的生态差异，东部鸟类常驻在海洋海滩上，通常采用常规饮食和季节性，单独繁殖。西方鸟类是游牧的，在合适的条件下会繁殖，并且具有更专门的饮食，有时甚至可以半结肠繁殖。在广泛的东部人口中，遗传分析揭示了按距离模式的隔离，以及长距离扩散事件的遗传证据。南澳大利亚鸟类与维多利亚鸟类不同，但在所有遗传分析中都与维多利亚鸟类紧密相关。西方人口的遗传结构很少，与游牧和干旱/洪水事件相关的集会行为一致。使用多条证据线发现西方人口的独特性，以及缺乏关于纽拉伯平原上最近发生的任何迁徙事件的证据，这表明先前描述的亚种需要恢复，并且这些进化单位需要进行保护评估，这一点已为国家自然保护所认可。当局。东部人口的保护管理应在整个人口分布范围内进行，并注意捕获在该人口中明显的遗传变异。建议进一步探索东部各州之间的遗传变异。