Population changes in a whale breeding ground revealed by citizen science noninvasive genetics unique microsatellite profiles of southern right whales

Historical exploitation, and a combination of current anthropogenic impacts, such as climate change and habitat degradation, impact the population dynamics of marine mammalian megafauna. Right whales (Eubalaena spp.) are large cetaceans recovering from hunting, whose reproductive and population growth rate appear to be impacted by climate change. We apply noninvasive genetic methods to monitor southern right whale (E. australis, SRW) and test the application of noninvasive genetics to minimise the observer effects on the population. Our aim is to describe population structure, and interdecadal and interannual changes to assess species status in the Great Acceleration period of Anthropocene. As a basis for population genetic analyses, we collected samples from sloughed skin during post-migration epidermal moult. Considering the exploration-exploitation dilemma, we collaborated with whale-watching companies, as part of a citizen science approach and to reduce ad hoc logistic operations an...历史捕捞活动与气候变化、栖息地退化等当代人为干扰因素共同作用，对海洋哺乳动物巨型类群的种群动态产生影响。露脊鲸属（Eubalaena spp.）为曾遭受过度捕捞、正处于种群恢复进程中的大型鲸类，其繁殖能力与种群增长率似乎受到气候变化的抑制。本研究采用非侵入式遗传方法（noninvasive genetic methods）对南露脊鲸（E. australis，SRW）开展监测，并验证该非侵入式遗传手段在降低观测者效应对种群研究干扰方面的应用价值。本研究旨在解析种群结构、年代际与年际变化特征，以评估人类世大加速期内该物种的种群现状。作为种群遗传分析的样本基础，我们在洄游后表皮蜕落阶段收集了其脱落的皮肤组织。鉴于探索-利用困境（exploration-exploitation dilemma），本研究联合观鲸公司开展工作，以此作为公民科学方案的一部分，并减少临时后勤作业的相关部署……