Work

Genetic differentiation of a critically endangered population of the limpet Patella candei candei d’Orbigny, 1840, in the Canary Islands

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: The adoption of measures to protect the viability of threatened populations should be supported by empirical data identifying appropriate conservation units and management strategies. The global population of the majorera limpet,P. candei candeid’Orbigny, 1840, is restricted to the Macaronesian islands in the NE Atlantic, including near-to-extinct and healthy populations in Fuerteventura and Selvagens, respectively. The taxonomic position, genetic diversity and intra- and interspecific relationships of these populations are unclear, which is hindering the implementation of a recovery plan for the overexploited majorera limpet on Fuerteventura. In this study, ddRAD-based genome scanning was used to overcome the limitations of mitochondrial DNA-based analysis. As a result,P. candei candeiwas genetically differentiated from the closely relatedP. candei crenatafor the first time. Moreover, genetic differentiation was detected betweenP. candei candeisamples from Selvagens and Fuerteventura, indicating that translocations from the healthy Selvagens source population are inadvisable. In conclusion, the majorera limpet requires population-specific management focused on the preservation of exceptional genetic diversity with which to face future environmental challenges.

Source: Conservation Genetics

DOI: 10.1007/s10592-022-01456-4