Dissertation Research: Connectivity and Intra-Population Structure of Western South Atlantic Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Foraging Populations

罗伯特·德萨尔 DEB- 0407722 西南大西洋绿色海龟（Chelonia mydas）觅食种群的连通性和种群内结构本研究采用遗传学方法对西南大西洋主要绿色海龟（Chelonia mydas）觅食种群动态的假设进行了检验。本方法的主要目的是：1）确定研究群体与其他区域性绿海龟繁殖和摄食群体之间的遗传关系; 2）获得了这些海龟交配动态和种群结构的前所未有的图片。这项研究的科学意义来自于对这些海龟如何在时间和空间中移动的其他无法获得的洞察，海龟的遗传组成与关键生物因素的关系，以及保护优先事项。这些信息增强了对这些海龟种群结构的基本了解，这是一个关键但研究不足的领域，并可应用于世界各地的其他物种。在项目过程中，促进了教育和培训，并将来自不同地理区域的代表性不足的群体包括在内。此外，巴西和美国科学家之间的持续伙伴关系得到了扩大，and results结果are communicated通信in variouslanguages各种languages语言to different不同audience观众.研究的更广泛的影响包括参与计划的多样性，频繁的演讲和研讨会，改进的研究内容和基础设施以及广泛传播的结果。

Robert DeSalle DEB- 0407722 DDIG AbstractConnectivity and Intra-Population Structure of Western South Atlantic green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) foraging populationsGenetic methods will be employed to test hypotheses about thedynamics of major Western South Atlantic green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)foraging groups. In this approach major objectives are to: 1) Determinegenetic relationships between the study populations and other regionalgreen turtle breeding and feeding aggregations; and 2) Obtain anunprecedented picture of the mating dynamics and population structure ofthese turtles.The scientific significance of the study derives from otherwiseunobtainable insight into how these turtles move in time and space,relationships of genetic composition of the turtles and key biologicalfactors, and conservation priorities. This information enhances basicknowledge of population structure of these turtles in a key butinadequately researched area, with applications to other species worldwide.In the course of the project, education and training are promoted, andunderrepresented groups from geographically disparate regions are included.In addition, a sustained partnership between scientists in Brazil and theUnited States is expanded, and results are communicated in variouslanguages to diverse audiences. The broader impacts of the research thusinclude benefits from the diversity of participating programs, frequentpresentations and workshops, improved research content and infrastructure,and broad dissemination of results.