Low Genetic Variability in the Hawaiian Monk Seal

Kretzmann, Maria B.; Gilmartin, William G.; Meyer, Axel; Zegers, Gerard; Fain, Steven R.; Taylor, Bruce F.; Costa, Daniel P.

doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.1997.96031.x

Cited by 35 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…2008). No subspecies are currently recognized, and genetic variation within the two extant species is very low (Kretzmann et al. 1997, Pastor et al.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pinniped taxonomy: review of currently recognized species and subspecies, and evidence used for their description

Berta¹,

Churchill²

2011

Mammal Review

110

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Pinnipeds are charismatic but difficult to study, and taxonomy is poorly understood. An accurate taxonomic framework is essential for studies of biogeography, ecology and conservation. Morphologic and genetic criteria used to recognize pinniped species and subspecies are evaluated individually for all taxa in the three families: Otariidae (sea lions and fur seals), Odobenidae (walruses) and Phocidae (seals). We advocate a pragmatic approach that, in general, follows the Evolutionary Species Concept and ‘diagnosability’ criterion for subspecies delimitations. Of the 33 species, all have at least two lines of evidence to distinguish them, and of the 29 subspecies, 24 have at least one line of evidence, but five have inadequate support. We present a composite phylogeny for pinnipeds. We propose that the genus Arctocephalus be limited to Arctocephalus pusillus, and we resurrect the name Arctophoca for at least six species and subspecies. We recommend large sample sizes and broad, random sampling in further research on pinniped taxonomy. Taxa should be described based on robust statistical analysis, not by arbitrary division of characters, and molecular research should include analysis of mtDNA and nuDNA. Finally, we offer suggestions for further taxonomic research (on hybridization in otariids, and to allow consideration of life history data in sampling) in an effort to improve our understanding of pinniped diversity. Even for taxa which are already protected, better understanding of their taxonomy can only enhance their conservation status and facilitate efforts to protect their habitats.

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“…2008). No subspecies are currently recognized, and genetic variation within the two extant species is very low (Kretzmann et al. 1997, Pastor et al.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pinniped taxonomy: review of currently recognized species and subspecies, and evidence used for their description

Berta¹,

Churchill²

2011

Mammal Review

110

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“…(1996); 5, Stanley et al . (1996); 6, Goodman (1997); 7, Kretzmann et al . (1997); 8, Coltman et al .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contrasting patterns of genetic diversity at three different genetic markers in a marine mammal metapopulation

et al. 2009

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Many studies use genetic markers to explore population structure and variability within species. However, only a minority use more than one type of marker and, despite increasing evidence of a link between heterozygosity and individual fitness, few ask whether diversity correlates with population trajectory. To address these issues, we analysed data from the Steller's sea lion, Eumetiopias jubatus, where three stocks are distributed over a vast geographical range and where both genetic samples and detailed demographic data have been collected from many diverse breeding colonies. To previously published mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite data sets, we have added new data for amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, comprising 238 loci scored in 285 sea lions sampled from 23 natal rookeries. Genotypic diversity was low relative to most vertebrates, with only 37 loci (15.5%) being polymorphic. Moreover, contrasting geographical patterns of genetic diversity were found at the three markers, with Nei's gene diversity tending to be higher for AFLPs and microsatellites in rookeries of the western and Asian stocks, while the highest mtDNA values were found in the eastern stock. Overall, and despite strongly contrasting demographic histories, after applying phylogenetic correction we found little correlation between genetic diversity and either colony size or demography. In contrast, we were able to show a highly significant positive relationship between AFLP diversity and current population size across a range of pinniped species, even though equivalent analyses did not reveal significant trends for either microsatellites or mtDNA.

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“…comm. to J. N. Kittinger, 31 January 2011), and additional research on the genetics of the species is helping to further understanding of historical and contemporary population dynamics (e.g., Kretzmann et al, 1997;Schultz et al, 2008Schultz et al, , 2010. More historical research is needed to elucidate past population sizes and biogeographic distributions, which could help inform more appropriate recovery goals for the species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Culture, Conservation, and Conflict: Assessing the Human Dimensions of Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery

Watson¹,

Kittinger

Walters

et al. 2011

Aquat Mamm

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The Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) is highly endangered, but relatively little is known about how human societies interacted with the species in the past. We reviewed historical documents to reconstruct past human-monk seal relationships in the Hawaiian archipelago and describe ongoing efforts to understand the significance of the species in Native Hawaiian culture. Though the prehistoric period remains poorly understood, our findings suggest that monk seals were likely rare but not unknown to Hawaiian communities in the 19th and 20th centuries. References are made to monk seals in Hawaiian-language newspapers, and oral history research with Native Hawaiian practitioners and community elders reveals new words for the species that were previously unknown. This information may prove useful in crafting culturally appropriate management plans for the species and for developing more effective outreach activities to engage with coastal communities and ocean users. Our research may also aid in establishing long-term ecological baselines that can inform modern efforts to recover the species.

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Low Genetic Variability in the Hawaiian Monk Seal

Cited by 35 publications

References 47 publications

Pinniped taxonomy: review of currently recognized species and subspecies, and evidence used for their description

Pinniped taxonomy: review of currently recognized species and subspecies, and evidence used for their description

Contrasting patterns of genetic diversity at three different genetic markers in a marine mammal metapopulation

Culture, Conservation, and Conflict: Assessing the Human Dimensions of Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery

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