Predicting connectivity of green turtles at Palmyra Atoll, central Pacific: a focus on mtDNA and dispersal modelling

• Published in: Journal of the Royal Society interface Vol. 11; no. 93; p. 20130888
• Main Authors: Naro-Maciel, Eugenia, Gaughran, Stephen J., Putman, Nathan F., Amato, George, Arengo, Felicity, Dutton, Peter H., McFadden, Katherine W., Vintinner, Erin C., Sterling, Eleanor J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England The Royal Society 06-04-2014
• Subjects: Animals; Chelonia mydas; Control Region; DNA, Mitochondrial - genetics; Feeding Ground; Marine Turtle; Mixed Stock Analysis; Models, Genetic; Ocean Currents; Pacific Islands; Pacific Ocean; Phylogeny; Turtles - genetics; Pacific Islands; Pacific Ocean; ocean currents; feeding ground; mixed stock analysis; marine turtle; Chelonia mydas; control region
• ISSN: 1742-5689; 1742-5662
• DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2013.0888

Population connectivity and spatial distribution are fundamentally related to ecology, evolution and behaviour. Here, we combined powerful genetic analysis with simulations of particle dispersal in a high-resolution ocean circulation model to investigate the distribution of green turtles foraging at the remote Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, central Pacific. We analysed mitochondrial sequences from turtles (n = 349) collected there over 5 years (2008–2012). Genetic analysis assigned natal origins almost exclusively (approx. 97%) to the West Central and South Central Pacific combined Regional Management Units. Further, our modelling results indicated that turtles could potentially drift from rookeries to Palmyra Atoll via surface currents along a near-Equatorial swathe traversing the Pacific. Comparing findings from genetics and modelling highlighted the complex impacts of ocean currents and behaviour on natal origins. Although the Palmyra feeding ground was highly differentiated genetically from others in the Indo-Pacific, there was no significant differentiation among years, sexes or stage-classes at the Refuge. Understanding the distribution of this foraging population advances knowledge of green turtles and contributes to effective conservation planning for this threatened species.