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Circumpolar population structure, diversity and recent evolutionary history of the bearded seal in relation to past and present icescapes
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  • Morgan L. McCarthy,
  • Alba Refoyo Martínez,
  • Steven Ferguson,
  • Aqqalu Rosing-Asvid,
  • Rune Dietz,
  • Binia De Cahsan,
  • Lennart Schreiber,
  • Eline Lorenzen,
  • Rikke Hansen,
  • Raphaela Stimmelmayr,
  • Anna Bryan,
  • Lori Quakenbush,
  • Christian Lydersen,
  • K Kovacs,
  • Morten Tange Olsen
Morgan L. McCarthy
University of Copenhagen Globe Institute

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Alba Refoyo Martínez
Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen
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Steven Ferguson
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
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Aqqalu Rosing-Asvid
Greenland Institute for Natural Resources
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Rune Dietz
Aarhus University Department of Ecoscience
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Binia De Cahsan
Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen
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Lennart Schreiber
Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen
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Eline Lorenzen
Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen
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Rikke Hansen
Greenland Institute of Natural Resources
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Raphaela Stimmelmayr
Department of Wildlife Management, North Slope Borough
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Anna Bryan
Arctic Marine Mammal Program, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
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Lori Quakenbush
Arctic Marine Mammal Program, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
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Christian Lydersen
Norwegian Polar Institute
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K Kovacs
Norwegian Polar Institute
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Morten Tange Olsen
Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen
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Abstract

The Arctic environment plays a critical role in the global climate system and marine biodiversity. The region’s ice-covered expanses provide essential breeding and feeding grounds for a diverse assemblage of marine species, who have adapted to thrive in these harsh conditions and consequently are under threat from global warming. The bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) is an ice-obligate Arctic species using sea-ice for all aspects of its life-history, rendering it particularly vulnerable to sea-ice loss. It is one of the least studied and hence enigmatic of the Arctic marine mammals, with little knowledge regarding genetic structure, diversity, adaptations and demographic history, consequently hampering management and conservation efforts. Here, we sequenced 70 whole nuclear genomes from across most of the species’ circumpolar range, finding significant genetic structure between the Pacific and the Atlantic subspecies, which diverged during the Penultimate Glacial Period (~192 KYA). Remarkably, we found fine-scale genetic structure within both subspecies, with at least two distinct populations in the Pacific and three in the Atlantic. We hypothesize sea-ice dynamics and bathymetry had a prominent role of in shaping bearded seal genetic structure and diversity. Resulting genomic data can be used to complement the health, physiological, and behavioral research needed to conserve this species. In addition, we provide recommendations for management units that can be used to more specifically assess climatic and anthropogenic impacts on bearded seal populations.
Submitted to Molecular Ecology
Assigned to Editor
Reviewer(s) Assigned
Submission Checks Completed
25 Jul 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
18 Sep 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
25 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor