Genetic diversity and colony isolation in one of the world's most endangered seabirds, the Mascarene petrel (Pseudobulweria aterrima), endemic to Reunion Island (Indian Ocean)
Jade Lopez  1, *@  , Martin Riethmuller  2@  , Jerome Dubos  1, 3@  , Patrick Pinet  3@  , Patxi Souharce  4  , François-Xavier Couzi  2@  , Matthieu Le Corre  1@  , Audrey Jaeger  1@  , Anaïs Grondin  1@  , Laurence Humeau  5@  
1 : UMR ENTROPIE. Université de La Réunion
15 Avenue René Cassin, CS 92003, 97744 Saint Denis Cedex 9 -  Réunion
2 : Société d'Etudes Ornithologiques de La Réunion  (SEOR)
13, ruelle des Orchidées Cambuston, 97440 Saint André -  Réunion
3 : Parc national de La Réunion, Life+ Pétrels
258 Rue de la République, 97431 Plaine des Palmistes -  Réunion
4 : Office national de la chasse et de la Faune sauvage, Brigade nature de l'océan Indien
97400 Saint-Denis -  Réunion
5 : UMR PVBMT. Université De La Réunion
15 Avenue René Cassin, CS 92003, 97744 Saint Denis Cedex 9 -  Réunion
* : Corresponding author

Tropical petrels of the genus Pseudobulweria are among the least known and most endangered birds in the world. The Mascarene petrel (Pseudobulweria aterrima) is a very poorly known and critically endangered seabird endemic to Reunion Island. This species has an extremely small population estimation (100-200 mature individuals) suffering several anthropogenic threats as predation by introduced mammals and light pollution leading to stranding. Fifteen polymorphic microsatellites loci were isolated from this species in order to analyse genetic diversity, inbreeding and colony isolation, but also contemporary effective population size estimation and search for population bottlenecks. Analysis were done on individuals from two breeding colonies and on individuals found grounded as a consequence of light pollution. We found a surprisingly high level of genetic diversity and no significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium, suggesting an absence of inbreeding. The analysis of genetic structure highlighted a slight but significant genetic differentiation between the two breeding colonies, suggesting high levels of natal philopatry and few exchanges between colonies. We also found that Mascarene petrel population probably has probably undergone a bottleneck. These results confirm that conservation actions engaged by the European Life+ Pétrels project since 2015 are strongly needed, and should be implemented independently for each colony to maintain genetic diversity.


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