@article{fdi:010085392,
  title = {{E}xtremely low mt{DNA} diversity and high genetic differentiation reveal the precarious genetic status of dugongs in {N}ew {C}aledonia, {S}outh {P}acific},
  author = {{G}arrigue, {C}laire and {B}onneville, {C}. {D}. and {C}leguer, {C}. and {O}remus, {M}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{N}ew {C}aledonia is home to one of the largest remaining populations of dugongs ({D}ugong dugon) and is located at the southeastern limit of the species range. {L}ocal knowledge suggests that current levels of removal due to anthropogenic pressures are unsustainable, whereas trends suggest an ongoing decline in the population. {C}onsidering this unfavorable conservation context, this study aimed to assess the {N}ew {C}aledonian dugong population's resilience by determining its level of genetic diversity and degree of isolation relative to other populations. {M}itochondrial {DNA} (mt{DNA}) control region sequences (n = 55) collected from live and dead dugongs in {N}ew {C}aledonia were compared with a global data set of previously published sequences (n = 631) representing dugong populations throughout the species range. {T}he {N}ew {C}aledonian dugong population displayed the lowest level of mt{DNA} diversity documented worldwide (3 haplotypes with 1-bp difference), suggesting a recent origin of the current population through limited colonization events. {P}opulation structure analyses indicate a strong genetic differentiation with all the putative populations represented in the global data set, including large neighboring {A}ustralian populations. {T}hese results show that the dugong population in {N}ew {C}aledonia is particularly isolated, fragile, and vulnerable to anthropogenic threats and diseases with low potential for resilience through incoming gene flow. {O}ur findings call for an instant conservation response and consideration for {IUCN} population assessment to support the long-term survival of the {N}ew {C}aledonian dugong population.},
  keywords = {conservation ; dugong ; genetic diversity ; mt{DNA} ; {N}ew {C}aledonia ; {S}irenian ; {NOUVELLE} {CALEDONIE} ; {PACIFIQUE} {SUD}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {H}eredity},
  volume = {[{E}arly access]},
  numero = {},
  pages = {[9 p.]},
  ISSN = {0022-1503},
  year = {2022},
  DOI = {10.1093/jhered/esac029},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010085392},
}