Intraspecific genetic structure and foraging plasticity in the Southern Rockhopper Penguin

LOIS NICOLAS; A RAYA REY; CAMPAGNA L; K PÜTZ

Congreso; international penguin conference; 2019

Population connectivity is mainly driven by individual dispersal potential and modulated by natal philopatry. In seabird species, high levels of philopatry have been classically reported but also new colony foundation is widespread and increasingly recorded. Under the current climate change scenario, this apparent paradox could turn into a key factor for the evolution of marine bird species. In this study, we assess the level of past and current connectivity among Southern rockhopper penguin colonies using a combination of genomic (RAD-seq) and stable isotope analyses. We sampled 140 adult individuals from 7 colonies in the south western Atlantic Ocean: Isla de los Estados (83) and Isla Pingüino (14) in southern Argentina, Isla Terhalten in southern Chile (20), and Islas Malvinas/Falkland Islands (23). We found two distinct genetic clusters and detected low levels of gene flow from the northern (Isla Pingüino, Falklands) into the southern (Estados, Terhalten) population. Stable isotope values differed both between and within genetic clusters, supporting previously reported intraspecific plasticity in foraging habitats and behaviors for these populations which are generally associated with local oceanographic conditions. We propose that foraging habitat diversification will drive metapopulation demographic patterns, including colony foundation and connectivity in seabird species.