Philopatry And Population Genetics Across Seabird Taxa

Abstract

Successful conservation depends on an understanding of dispersal patterns for spatially complex species. Among seabirds there are opposing pressures to either disperse or return to natal colonies. We explored philopatry across 36 species, based on banding and census data. Philopatry correlated with foraging strategy, taxonomy, and region, suggesting that translocation will be more successful for Procellariiformes, those in tropical regions and with non-central foraging strategies, as they are more likely to return to translocation sites. Additionally, we compared genetic diversity between two orders of seabirds with differing philopatry and explored population genetics of a species in the order Procellariiformes, the Band-rumped Storm Petrel (BSTP; Oceanodroma castro). Findings indicated no difference in genetic diversity between orders and high genetic diversity within BSTP. Although this study suggests that BSTP are not at risk genetically, they remain vulnerable to threats. Management efforts to ensure successful nesting is crucial to recover the endangered BSTP.