@article{fdi:010094985,
  title = {{U}nveiling the genetic structure of {N}ew {C}aledonian dugongs using a multiscale genetic approach : conservation challenges for an isolated population},
  author = {{V}erger, {P}. and {G}arrigue, {C}laire and {B}onneville, {C}. {D}. and {D}erville, {S}ol{\`e}ne and {O}remus, {M}. and {S}ant, {C}. and {F}auvelot, {C}{\'e}cile},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{C}oastal marine megafauna faces increasing threats from habitat degradation, climate change, and human activities, making conservation efforts crucial for their survival. {T}he {N}ew {C}aledonian dugong population was reclassified as {E}ndangered on the {IUCN} {R}ed {L}ist in 2021, following research on its abundance and genetic diversity. {W}ith fewer than 800 individuals estimated between 2008 and 2012, urgent conservation measures are needed to prevent further decline. {M}odern genetic tools provide critical insights into spatial genetic differentiation and gene flow across {N}ew {C}aledonia's extensive lagoon habitats. {I}n this study, we analyzed 66 skin samples from live and stranded dugongs collected between 2003 and 2023, using a multiscale genetic approach. {W}e examined mitochondrial {DNA} control region sequences at the {I}ndo-{P}acific level, 13 microsatellite loci to compare {N}ew {C}aledonian and {A}ustralian populations, and 2499 single nucleotide polymorphisms ({SNP}s) to assess fine-scale structure within {N}ew {C}aledonia. {O}ur findings confirm that the {N}ew {C}aledonian dugong population has extremely low genetic diversity and is highly differentiated from its {A}ustralian counterpart. {T}he effective population size ({N} e) was critically low, ranging between 95 and 160 individuals, depending on the analytical approach. {W}ithin {N}ew {C}aledonia, we identified two genetically distinct clusters along the west coast, north and south of {B}ourail, a division consistent with previous satellite tracking studies showing no movement across this natural boundary. {T}hese findings highlight the urgency of conservation action and suggest that the population's isolation and low genetic diversity may warrant an upgrade to {C}ritically {E}ndangered status.},
  keywords = {effective size ; environmental barrier ; marine mammals ; wildlife ; management ; {NOUVELLE} {CALEDONIE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{E}cology and {E}volution},
  volume = {15},
  numero = {9},
  pages = {e72168 [16 p.]},
  ISSN = {2045-7758},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1002/ece3.72168},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010094985},
}