Genetic and demographic history define a conservation strategy for earth’s most endangered pinniped, the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 11; no. 1; p. 373
• Main Authors: Karamanlidis, Alexandros A., Skrbinšek, Tomaž, Amato, George, Dendrinos, Panagiotis, Gaughran, Stephen, Kasapidis, Panagiotis, Kopatz, Alexander, Stronen, Astrid Vik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 11-01-2021; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 631/158; 631/208; 631/601; 704/172; Animal Distribution - physiology; Animals; Anthropogenic factors; Aquatic mammals; Breeding sites; Caniformia - classification; Conservation; Conservation of Natural Resources - history; Conservation of Natural Resources - methods; Demography; DNA, Mitochondrial - analysis; Ecosystem; Endangered & extinct species; Endangered species; Endangered Species - history; Genetic diversity; Genetic Testing - veterinary; Genetic Variation - physiology; Greece - epidemiology; History, 20th Century; Humanities and Social Sciences; Inbreeding; Life history; Marine conservation; Mediterranean Sea; Monachus monachus; multidisciplinary; Philopatry; Population; Population decline; Population Density; Population Dynamics - history; Population genetics; Population number; Reproductive behavior; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Seals; Seals, Earless - genetics; Species extinction; Wildlife conservation; Greece; Mediterranean Sea
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79712-1

The Mediterranean monk seal
(Monachus monachus)
is a flagship species for marine conservation, but important aspects of its life history remain unknown. Concerns over imminent extinction motivated a nuclear DNA study of the species in its largest continuous subpopulation in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Despite recent evidence of partial subpopulation recovery, we demonstrate that there is no reason for complacency, as the species still shares several traits that are characteristic of a critically endangered species: Mediterranean monk seals in the eastern Mediterranean survive in three isolated and genetically depauperate population clusters, with small effective population sizes and high levels of inbreeding. Our results indicated male philopatry over short distances, which is unexpected for a polygynous mammal. Such a pattern may be explained by the species’ unique breeding behavior, in which males defend aquatic territories near breeding sites, while females are often forced to search for new pupping areas. Immediate action is necessary to reverse the downward spiral of population decline, inbreeding accumulation and loss of genetic diversity. We propose concrete conservation measures for the Mediterranean monk seal focusing on reducing anthropogenic threats, increasing the population size and genetic diversity, and thus improving the long-term prospects of survival.