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Journal articles
Extreme philopatry and genetic diversification at unprecedented scales in a seabird
Abstract : Effective conservation requires maintenance of the processes underlying species divergence, as well as understanding species' responses to episodic disturbances and long-term change. We explored genetic population structure at a previously unrecognized spatial scale in seabirds, focusing on fine-scale isolation between colonies, and identified two distinct genetic clusters of Barau's Petrels (Pterodroma baraui) on Réunion Island (Indian Ocean) corresponding to the sampled breeding colonies separated by 5 km. This unexpected result was supported by long-term banding and was clearly linked to the species' extreme philopatric tendencies, emphasizing the importance of philopatry as an intrinsic barrier to gene flow. This implies that loss of a single colony could result in the loss of genetic variation, impairing the species' ability to adapt to threats in the long term. We anticipate that these findings will have a pivotal influence on seabird research and population management, focusing attention below the species level of taxonomic organization.
https://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-03269411
Contributor : Réunion Univ <>
Submitted on : Thursday, June 24, 2021 - 7:44:54 AM
Last modification on : Wednesday, July 7, 2021 - 3:42:01 AM
Contributor : Réunion Univ <>
Submitted on : Thursday, June 24, 2021 - 7:44:54 AM
Last modification on : Wednesday, July 7, 2021 - 3:42:01 AM
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2021 Scientific Report GenPteB...
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