Migratory connections among breeding grounds off the Eastern Pacific and feeding areas in the Antarctic Peninsula based on genotype matching

Abstract

We analysed 114 DNA samples collected in different locations within the stock G breeding grounds, including Ecuador and the northern and southern Pacific of Colombia. We genotyped 15 microsatellite loci, sexed all samples, and performed genotype comparisons. Genotype comparisons were done using a DNA register of previously genotyped individuals from the Colombian breeding ground and the Antarctic Peninsula feeding Area. We confirmed connectivity between feeding grounds in Antarctic Peninsula and breeding grounds in Colombia and Ecuador using microsatellite loci. We found recaptures within each sampling location in the same year, but we also found a few recaptures in the same locations between years both in breeding and feeding grounds. Interestingly, we found recaptures between breeding and feeding grounds using samples collected 20 years apart, providing some information about longevity in this stock. Further comparisons with other data sets (Brazil, North Pacific) are needed to understand the migratory connectivity of this stock.