Mitogenomics of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) reveals dramatic loss of diversity and supports historical gene flow between Atlantic and eastern Mediterranean populations

The Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus is one of the most endangeredmarine mammals, with only 600-700 individuals restricted to three populations off thecoast of Western Sahara and Madeira (North Atlantic), and between Greece andTurkey (eastern Mediterranean). Its original range from the Black Sea (easternMediterranean) to Gambia (western African coast) was drastically reduced bycommercial hunting and human persecution since the early stage of marineexploitation. Here we add to the scarce genetic information on the species and forthe first time combine mitogenomic data on historical and modern monk seals to tracethe population history and to evaluate the level of genetic variation of this endangeredpinniped in the last two centuries.