DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Population Genetics of Black-footed Albatrosses using SNPs: Implications for Regional Differentiation, Mate Choice, and Species Conservation

论文研究：利用 SNP 进行黑脚信天翁种群遗传学：对区域分化、配偶选择和物种保护的影响

• 批准号: 0309076
• 负责人: Sievert Rohwer
• 金额: $ 1.12万
• 依托单位: University of Washington
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2003
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2003-06-15 至 2006-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0309076&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Population; Genetics; Black

Black-footed albatrosses are one of three albatross species that breed exclusively in the North Pacific. Mortality of thousands of these seabirds annually has been recorded in North Pacific fisheries. When seabirds are taken as non-target catch (bycatch) in fisheries operations, the impact to the species as a whole must be evaluated. An effective means to determine colony of origin of individual bycatch specimens, and to evaluate the population-level impact of fisheries activities, is provided by the analysis of DNA data. The objectives of this study are to determine population parameters for the Black-footed albatross. Genetic (DNA) data will be collected to determine rates of population growth and/or decline, levels of migration among colonies, genetic correlates of mate choice, and whether or not populations of these seabirds consist of discrete and unique groups that could merit special and separate protection. Specifically, the identification and analysis of a large number of variable sites (named single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs) in the DNA of Black-footed albatrosses, as well as an analysis of genes of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), which are thought to play a role in mate choice in some species, will provide the above information. The information provided by DNA data can facilitate the design of efficient management strategies for species that are impacted by human activities. This work will identify those seabird populations that are most affected by interactions with fisheries operating throughout their ranges in the North Pacific Ocean. In collaboration with governmental agencies such as the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, these results will have important applications in the evaluation of fisheries regulations. For example, knowledge of which colonies are most at risk will allow managers to be proactive about species conservation and thus will inform the timing and location of time and area closures that already are standard practice in some fisheries (such as the Hawaii-based longline fishery).

黑脚信天翁是仅在北太平洋繁殖的三种信天翁之一。北太平洋渔业每年记录了数千只这种海鸟的死亡。在渔业作业中，当海鸟被视为非目标渔获物(副渔获物)时，必须评估对整个物种的影响。DNA数据分析为确定个别副渔获物标本的原产地群体和评估渔业活动对种群水平的影响提供了一种有效手段。本研究的目的是确定黑脚信天翁的种群参数。将收集遗传(DNA)数据，以确定种群增长和/或下降的速度、群体间的迁徙水平、配偶选择的遗传相关性，以及这些海鸟的种群是否由离散和独特的群体组成，是否值得特殊和单独的保护。具体地说，对黑脚信天翁DNA中大量可变点(称为单核苷酸多态，SNPs)的鉴定和分析，以及对被认为在某些物种的配偶选择中起作用的主要组织相容性复合体(MHC)基因的分析，将提供上述信息。DNA数据提供的信息有助于为受人类活动影响的物种设计有效的管理策略。这项工作将确定哪些海鸟种群受北太平洋范围内作业的渔业相互作用的影响最大。在与国家海洋渔业局和美国鱼类和野生动物管理局等政府机构的合作下，这些结果将在渔业法规评估中发挥重要作用。例如，了解哪些群体面临的风险最大，将使管理者能够积极主动地进行物种保护，从而告知关闭的时间和地点，这在一些渔业(如夏威夷的延绳钓渔业)中已经是标准做法。