Conservation priorities in an endangered estuarine seahorse are informed by demographic history.

ABSTRACT: Historical demographic events shape genetic diversity that remains evident in the genomes of contemporary populations. In the case of species that are of conservation concern, this information helps to unravel evolutionary histories that can be critical in guiding conservation efforts. The Knysna seahorse, Hippocampus capensis, is the world's most endangered seahorse species, and it presently survives in only three estuaries on the South African south coast. Factors that contributed to the species becoming endangered are unclear; additionally, the lack of information on whether the three populations should be managed separately because of potential long-term isolation hampers effective management efforts. In the present study, we reconstructed the seahorses' demographic history using a sui

SUBMITTER: Mkare TK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7892823 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature