Fine-scale population structure and connectivity of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in European waters and implications for conservation

Milaja Nykänen; Marie Louis; Eileen Dillane; Eric Alfonsi; Simon Berrow; Joanne O'Brien; Andrew Brownlow; Pablo Covelo; Willy Dabin; Rob Deaville; Renaud de Stephanis; François Gally; Pauline Gauffier; Simon N. Ingram; Tamara Lucas; Luca Mirimin; Rod Penrose; Emer Rogan; Mónica A. Silva; Benoit Simon-Bouhet; Oscar E. Gaggiotti

doi:10.1002/aqc.3139

Fine-scale population structure and connectivity of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in European waters and implications for conservation

Milaja Nykänen^*, Marie Louis, Eileen Dillane, Eric Alfonsi, Simon Berrow, Joanne O'Brien, Andrew Brownlow, Pablo Covelo, Willy Dabin, Rob Deaville, Renaud de Stephanis, François Gally, Pauline Gauffier, Simon N. Ingram, Tamara Lucas, Luca Mirimin, Rod Penrose, Emer Rogan, Mónica A. Silva, Benoit Simon-BouhetOscar E. Gaggiotti

^*Corresponding author for this work

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Protecting species often involves the designation of protected areas, wherein suitable management strategies are applied either at the taxon or ecosystem level. Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) have been created in European waters under the Habitats Directive to protect bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, which forms two ecotypes, pelagic and coastal. The SACs have been designated in coastal waters based on photo-identification studies that have indicated that bottlenose dolphins have relatively high site fidelity. However, individuals can carry out long-distance movements, which suggests potential for demographic connectivity between the SACs as well as with other areas. Connectivity can be studied using genetic markers. Previous studies on the species in this area used different sets of genetic markers and therefore inference on the fine-scale population structure and demographic connectivity has not yet been made at a large scale. A common set of microsatellite markers was used in this study to provide the first comprehensive estimate of genetic structure of bottlenose dolphins in European Atlantic waters. As in previous studies, a high level of genetic differentiation was found between coastal and pelagic populations. Genetic structure was defined at an unprecedented fine-scale level for coastal dolphins, leading to identification of five distinct coastal populations inhabiting the following areas: Shannon estuary, west coast of Ireland, English Channel, coastal Galicia, east coast of Scotland and Wales/west Scotland. Demographic connectivity was very low among most populations with <10% migration rate, suggesting no demographic coupling among them. Each local population should therefore be monitored separately. The results of this study have the potential to be used to identify management units for bottlenose dolphins in this region and thus offer a significant contribution to the conservation of the species in European Atlantic waters. Future studies should prioritize obtaining biopsies from free-living dolphins from areas where only samples from stranded animals were available, i.e. Wales, west Scotland and Galicia, in order to reduce uncertainty caused by sample origin doubt, as well as from areas not included in this study (e.g. Iroise Sea, France). Furthermore, future management strategies should include monitoring local population dynamics and could also consider other options, such as population viability analysis or the incorporation of genetic data with ecological data (e.g. stable isotope analysis) in the designation of management units.

Original language	English
Journal	Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
Volume	29
Issue number	S1
Pages (from-to)	197-211
Number of pages	15
ISSN	1052-7613
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3139
Publication status	Published - 2019
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

bottlenose dolphins
coastal
mammals
ocean
population genetics
Special Area of Conservation

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10.1002/aqc.3139

aqc.3139Final published version, 1.52 MB

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Nykänen, M., Louis, M., Dillane, E., Alfonsi, E., Berrow, S., O'Brien, J., Brownlow, A., Covelo, P., Dabin, W., Deaville, R., de Stephanis, R., Gally, F., Gauffier, P., Ingram, S. N., Lucas, T., Mirimin, L., Penrose, R., Rogan, E., Silva, M. A., ... Gaggiotti, O. E. (2019). Fine-scale population structure and connectivity of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in European waters and implications for conservation. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 29(S1), 197-211. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3139

Fine-scale population structure and connectivity of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in European waters and implications for conservation. / Nykänen, Milaja; Louis, Marie; Dillane, Eileen et al.

In: Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, Vol. 29, No. S1, 2019, p. 197-211.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Nykänen, M, Louis, M, Dillane, E, Alfonsi, E, Berrow, S, O'Brien, J, Brownlow, A, Covelo, P, Dabin, W, Deaville, R, de Stephanis, R, Gally, F, Gauffier, P, Ingram, SN, Lucas, T, Mirimin, L, Penrose, R, Rogan, E, Silva, MA, Simon-Bouhet, B & Gaggiotti, OE 2019, 'Fine-scale population structure and connectivity of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in European waters and implications for conservation', Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, vol. 29, no. S1, pp. 197-211. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3139

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title = "Fine-scale population structure and connectivity of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in European waters and implications for conservation",

abstract = "Protecting species often involves the designation of protected areas, wherein suitable management strategies are applied either at the taxon or ecosystem level. Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) have been created in European waters under the Habitats Directive to protect bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, which forms two ecotypes, pelagic and coastal. The SACs have been designated in coastal waters based on photo-identification studies that have indicated that bottlenose dolphins have relatively high site fidelity. However, individuals can carry out long-distance movements, which suggests potential for demographic connectivity between the SACs as well as with other areas. Connectivity can be studied using genetic markers. Previous studies on the species in this area used different sets of genetic markers and therefore inference on the fine-scale population structure and demographic connectivity has not yet been made at a large scale. A common set of microsatellite markers was used in this study to provide the first comprehensive estimate of genetic structure of bottlenose dolphins in European Atlantic waters. As in previous studies, a high level of genetic differentiation was found between coastal and pelagic populations. Genetic structure was defined at an unprecedented fine-scale level for coastal dolphins, leading to identification of five distinct coastal populations inhabiting the following areas: Shannon estuary, west coast of Ireland, English Channel, coastal Galicia, east coast of Scotland and Wales/west Scotland. Demographic connectivity was very low among most populations with <10% migration rate, suggesting no demographic coupling among them. Each local population should therefore be monitored separately. The results of this study have the potential to be used to identify management units for bottlenose dolphins in this region and thus offer a significant contribution to the conservation of the species in European Atlantic waters. Future studies should prioritize obtaining biopsies from free-living dolphins from areas where only samples from stranded animals were available, i.e. Wales, west Scotland and Galicia, in order to reduce uncertainty caused by sample origin doubt, as well as from areas not included in this study (e.g. Iroise Sea, France). Furthermore, future management strategies should include monitoring local population dynamics and could also consider other options, such as population viability analysis or the incorporation of genetic data with ecological data (e.g. stable isotope analysis) in the designation of management units.",

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T1 - Fine-scale population structure and connectivity of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in European waters and implications for conservation

AU - Nykänen, Milaja

AU - Louis, Marie

AU - Dillane, Eileen

AU - Alfonsi, Eric

AU - Berrow, Simon

AU - O'Brien, Joanne

AU - Brownlow, Andrew

AU - Covelo, Pablo

AU - Dabin, Willy

AU - Deaville, Rob

AU - de Stephanis, Renaud

AU - Gally, François

AU - Gauffier, Pauline

AU - Ingram, Simon N.

AU - Lucas, Tamara

AU - Mirimin, Luca

AU - Penrose, Rod

AU - Rogan, Emer

AU - Silva, Mónica A.

AU - Simon-Bouhet, Benoit

AU - Gaggiotti, Oscar E.

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - Protecting species often involves the designation of protected areas, wherein suitable management strategies are applied either at the taxon or ecosystem level. Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) have been created in European waters under the Habitats Directive to protect bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, which forms two ecotypes, pelagic and coastal. The SACs have been designated in coastal waters based on photo-identification studies that have indicated that bottlenose dolphins have relatively high site fidelity. However, individuals can carry out long-distance movements, which suggests potential for demographic connectivity between the SACs as well as with other areas. Connectivity can be studied using genetic markers. Previous studies on the species in this area used different sets of genetic markers and therefore inference on the fine-scale population structure and demographic connectivity has not yet been made at a large scale. A common set of microsatellite markers was used in this study to provide the first comprehensive estimate of genetic structure of bottlenose dolphins in European Atlantic waters. As in previous studies, a high level of genetic differentiation was found between coastal and pelagic populations. Genetic structure was defined at an unprecedented fine-scale level for coastal dolphins, leading to identification of five distinct coastal populations inhabiting the following areas: Shannon estuary, west coast of Ireland, English Channel, coastal Galicia, east coast of Scotland and Wales/west Scotland. Demographic connectivity was very low among most populations with <10% migration rate, suggesting no demographic coupling among them. Each local population should therefore be monitored separately. The results of this study have the potential to be used to identify management units for bottlenose dolphins in this region and thus offer a significant contribution to the conservation of the species in European Atlantic waters. Future studies should prioritize obtaining biopsies from free-living dolphins from areas where only samples from stranded animals were available, i.e. Wales, west Scotland and Galicia, in order to reduce uncertainty caused by sample origin doubt, as well as from areas not included in this study (e.g. Iroise Sea, France). Furthermore, future management strategies should include monitoring local population dynamics and could also consider other options, such as population viability analysis or the incorporation of genetic data with ecological data (e.g. stable isotope analysis) in the designation of management units.

AB - Protecting species often involves the designation of protected areas, wherein suitable management strategies are applied either at the taxon or ecosystem level. Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) have been created in European waters under the Habitats Directive to protect bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, which forms two ecotypes, pelagic and coastal. The SACs have been designated in coastal waters based on photo-identification studies that have indicated that bottlenose dolphins have relatively high site fidelity. However, individuals can carry out long-distance movements, which suggests potential for demographic connectivity between the SACs as well as with other areas. Connectivity can be studied using genetic markers. Previous studies on the species in this area used different sets of genetic markers and therefore inference on the fine-scale population structure and demographic connectivity has not yet been made at a large scale. A common set of microsatellite markers was used in this study to provide the first comprehensive estimate of genetic structure of bottlenose dolphins in European Atlantic waters. As in previous studies, a high level of genetic differentiation was found between coastal and pelagic populations. Genetic structure was defined at an unprecedented fine-scale level for coastal dolphins, leading to identification of five distinct coastal populations inhabiting the following areas: Shannon estuary, west coast of Ireland, English Channel, coastal Galicia, east coast of Scotland and Wales/west Scotland. Demographic connectivity was very low among most populations with <10% migration rate, suggesting no demographic coupling among them. Each local population should therefore be monitored separately. The results of this study have the potential to be used to identify management units for bottlenose dolphins in this region and thus offer a significant contribution to the conservation of the species in European Atlantic waters. Future studies should prioritize obtaining biopsies from free-living dolphins from areas where only samples from stranded animals were available, i.e. Wales, west Scotland and Galicia, in order to reduce uncertainty caused by sample origin doubt, as well as from areas not included in this study (e.g. Iroise Sea, France). Furthermore, future management strategies should include monitoring local population dynamics and could also consider other options, such as population viability analysis or the incorporation of genetic data with ecological data (e.g. stable isotope analysis) in the designation of management units.

KW - bottlenose dolphins

KW - coastal

KW - mammals

KW - ocean

KW - population genetics

KW - Special Area of Conservation

U2 - 10.1002/aqc.3139

DO - 10.1002/aqc.3139

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85071839537

SN - 1052-7613

VL - 29

SP - 197

EP - 211

JO - Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems

JF - Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems

IS - S1

ER -

Fine-scale population structure and connectivity of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in European waters and implications for conservation

Abstract

Keywords

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