Dear colleagues,
my co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication in
/Conservation Genetics:/
*Gaspari, S., Dooley, C., Shreves, K., Silva, C.S.E., Chapman, N.,
Genov, Gonzalvo, J., Holcer, D. & Moura, A.E. 2023. Connectivity
patterns of bottlenose dolphins (/Tursiops truncatus/) in the north-east
Mediterranean: implications for local conservation. Conservation
Genetics. DOI 10.1007/s10592-023-01577-4
<https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-023-01577-4>*
Full-text access is available by using the following link:
*_https://rdcu.be/dmQur _*
Abstract
Accurate description of population structure and genetic connectivity is
essential for efficient conservation efforts. Along the European
coastline, /Tursiops truncatus/ typically shows high site fidelity to
relatively small areas, often semi-enclosed waters, but patterns of
genetic connectivity among such areas are often poorly understood. In
this study, we investigate the patterns of genetic structure and
connectivity of /Tursiops truncatus/ in the Adriatic Sea and contiguous
Mediterranean, using multilocus microsatellite genotypes. We focus
particularly on areas where photo-ID studies suggest the occurrence of
local ‘resident communities’. Patterns of geographic structure were
identified using multivariate methods, Bayesian assignment methods, and
analyses of relatedness. Our results are consistent with the occurrence
of communities with high site fidelity to the Gulf of Ambracia, Croatian
island archipelagos, and the Gulf of Trieste. Dolphins in these regions
do not fit a model of complete panmixia, but neither do they exhibit
multiple discrete population units. Even for the community in the Gulf
of Ambracia, which is well separated by several population genetic
estimates, we can unambiguously identify individual dispersal to the
most distant area in the Northern Adriatic Sea. We suggest that the
population structure patterns in these animals might be best described
as a stable metapopulation and discuss the implications of such a model
for regional conservation efforts. The critically endangered Ambracian
sub-population is particularly well differentiated, and is therefore at
high risk of local extinction due to relatively small size, high degree
of isolation and exposure to several anthropogenic pressures. The exact
geographic boundaries of individual sub-populations cannot always be
determined due to lack of sampling and low resolution of the methods
used. Nevertheless, our results have important implications for
effective conservation of local communities showing strong site fidelity.
Should you need a pdf copy of the paper or if you have any questions
please email me (drasko.hol...@blue-world.org).
Sincerely,
Draško Holcer
--
**
*Asst.Prof. Draško Holcer, Ph.D. *
LogoBWI
Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation
Kaštel 24, 51551 Veli Lošinj, Croatia
* M*: +385 91 4637424 *T*: +385 51 604666 *
W*: Blue-World.org <http://Blue-World.org>
_______________________________________________
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
