Demographic histories and genetic diversity across pinnipeds are shaped by human exploitation, ecology and life-history.

ABSTRACT: A central paradigm in conservation biology is that population bottlenecks reduce genetic diversity and population viability. In an era of biodiversity loss and climate change, understanding the determinants and consequences of bottlenecks is therefore an important challenge. However, as most studies focus on single species, the multitude of potential drivers and the consequences of bottlenecks remain elusive. Here, we combined genetic data from over 11,000 individuals of 30 pinniped species with demographic, ecological and life history data to evaluate the consequences of commercial exploitation by 18th and 19th century sealers. We show that around one third of these species exhibit strong signatures of recent population declines. Bottleneck strength is associated with breeding habitat and

SUBMITTER: Stoffel MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6240053 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature