Population Connectivity Buffers Genetic Diversity Loss in a Seabird

摘要: Background: Ancient DNA has revolutionized conservation genetic studies as it allows monitoring of the variability species through time and predicting impact ecosystems’ threats on future population dynamics viability. Meanwhile, consequences anthropogenic activities climate change to island faunas, particularly seabirds, remain largely unknown. In this study, we examined temporal changes in diversity a threatened seabird, Cory’s shearwater (Calonectris borealis). Findings: We analysed mitochondrial control region ancient bone samples from late-Holocene retrieved Canary archipelago (NE Atlantic) together with modern sequences representative entire breeding range species. Our results show high levels Canaries comparable that extant population. The haplotype network further revealed rare but recurrent long-distance dispersal between ocean basins. Bayesian demographic analyses reveal both regional local size expansion events, is spite decline experienced by over last millennia. Conclusions: findings suggest connectivity acted buffer losses illustrate use uncover such cryptic events.