Understanding temporal changes in patterns of dispersal and connectivity between reproductive populations and mixed stock aggregations is fundamental for the development of conservation plans for endangered species. I evaluated how genetic structure and composition of mixed stock aggregations of green sea turtles changed in response to a recent increase in the number of nests in several reproductive beaches. Mixed stock analysis (MSA) using mtDNA haplotypes indicate little variation in mixed stock aggregations over a 15-year period. A similar pattern was observed using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms. I also simulated the impact of sample size and higher resolution markers in mixed stock models. These data provide important insight into the impacts of population growth on juvenile dispersal and mixed stock aggregations. Future studies using MSA must consider larger sample sizes and use of other genetic markers.
Outline of Studies:
Major: Biology
Educational Career:
B.S. in Biology, Universidad Federal de Santa Catarina, 2006
Committee in Charge:
Dr. Katherine Mansfield (Chair)
Dr. Eric Hoffman
Dr. David Jenkins
Dr. Simona Ceriani (External Committee Member)
Approved for distribution by Katherine Mansfield, Committee Chair, on February 6, 2023.
The public is welcome to attend.
Zoom Meeting ID: 977 1567 0046 Passcode: tartaruga
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