Phylogeny and phylogeography of four southern ocean petrels

This thesis investigates the phylogeography of four southern ocean petrel species in an attempt to resolve taxonomic uncertainties and phylogeography in these species. A large proportion of petrel and albatross species are listed as threatened under Red List criteria, in many cases as a result of threats at sea. Most albatrosses and petrels breed in discrete island colonies and exhibit strong natal philopatry. They may thus be expected to show population divergence, but published studies show that this is not always the case. Most studies to date have concentrated on northern hemisphere species, with mostly albatrosses studied within the southern oceans. White-chinned (Procel/aria aequinoctialis), Spectacled (P. conspicillata) and giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus and M. hal/I) are southern ocean species of Procellariiformes. All four species are threatened by accidental mortality in long line and other fisheries, as well as by introduced predators at their breeding colonies. In order to adequately conserve these species, species limits need to be resolved. Taxonomic uncertainties are an important issue in conservation because often only recognised species receive protection. In addition, islands of origin for birds killed at sea need to be identified. This thesis examines the species status of the Spectacled Petrel (Procel/aria conspicillata), which has been separated from the White-chinned Petrel (P. aequinoctialis) based on morphology and vocalisations, as well as examining the taxonomic status of the two forms of giant petrel, and their phylogeography. Cytochrome b was used to confirm the species rank of the Spectacled Petrel. The decision to support separate species status was based on the lack of shared haplotypes, six fixed mutational differences between the closest haplotypes of the White-chinned and Spectacled Petrel and a sequence divergence of 1.74%. Within Procel/aria, Whitechinned and Spectacled Petrels are sister species, closely related to the wide-ranging Grey Petrel. Within the White-chinned Petrel, two regional populations were found corresponding to colonies in the New Zealand region and the Indian/Atlantic Ocean.Evidence of population expansions were detected in both species and both regional populations of the White-chinned Petrel. Between these two regional populations, the greatest genetiC diversity was within the New Zealand regional population. This result is consistent with the White-chinned Petrel originating in the New Zealand area.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Molecular and Cell Biology

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Techow, N M S Mareile

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• O'Ryan, Colleen
• Ryan, Peter G

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/4339

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/4339