[Seabird Literature] Population structure of Peruvian Diving-Petrel

[Angus Wilson]

The Peruvian diving petrel (Pelecanoides garnotii) is a sought-after endemic seabird characteristic of the Humboldt Current. Formerly considered one of most abundant seabirds along the west coast of South America, the population has declined dramatically and is now classified as Endangered (BirdLife 2018). Colonies exist in two geographically separate areas: central Peru (between 8°S and 14°S, max 13,000 pairs) and 1,300 km down the coast in northern Chile (between 26°S and 29°S, max 10,000 pairs). Some 80% of the world population breed on San Gallán Island off southern Peru. As evidence of recent declines, Isla Chañaral, Chile supported an estimated 100,000 nesting pairs in 1938 but this number has fallen to zero in the present day.

 

In this new paper, a multi-national team led by Guillermo Luna-Jorquera (Universidad Católica del Norte, Chile) used mitochondrial DNA sequencing and analysis of nuclear genome SNPs to examine gene flow within the range. The results provide independent support the observed population collapse and document low rates of dispersal between breeding colonies (equating to high breeding site fidelity or philopatry). The authors argue that the lack of movement between colonies need to be incorporated into ongoing conservation strategies and advocate protection of every remaining breeding colony and surrounding waters in order to preserve the remaining genetic diversity within the species.

 

FULL CITATION (Open Access)

 

Cristofari R, Plaza P, Fernández CE, Trucchi E, Gouin N, Le Bohec C, Zavalaga C, Alfaro-Shigueto J, Luna-Jorquera G.Unexpected population fragmentation in an endangered seabird: the case of the Peruvian diving-petrel. Sci Rep. 2019 Feb 14;9(1):2021. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-38682-9.

Angus Wilson
New York City, USA