Abstract
The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world. This species has been threatened since ancient times by human activities and currently amounts to approximately 700 individuals distributed in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea (Aegean and Ionian Sea) and Eastern Atlantic Ocean (Cabo Blanco and Madeira). In other areas, where the species is considered “probably extinct”, an increase in sporadic sightings has been recorded during recent years. Sightings and accidental catches of Mediterranean monk seals have become more frequent in the Adriatic Sea, mainly in Croatia but also along the coasts of Montenegro, Albania and Southern Italy. A Mediterranean monk seal pup was recovered on 27 January 2020 on the beach of Torre San Gennaro in Torchiarolo (Brindisi, Apulia, Italy). DNA was extracted from a tissue sample and the hypervariable region I (HVR1) of the mitochondrial DNA control region was amplified and sequenced. The alignment performed with seven previous published haplotypes showed that the individual belongs to the haplotype MM03, common in monk seals inhabiting the Greek islands of the Ionian Sea. This result indicates the Ionian Islands as the most probable geographical origin of the pup, highlighting the need to intensify research and conservation activities on this species even in areas where it seemed to be extinct.
Highlights
The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus, Hermann 1779) is the only living representative of the genus Monachus [1] and one of the most endangered mammals in the world [2]
A Mediterranean monk seal found along the Apulian coast (Southern Italy) at the end of January
The haplotype MM03 was previously found only in 10 individuals sampled from the Greek islands (Kefalonia and Zakynthos) in the Ionian Sea [18] and from one individual in the Adriatic Sea [19]
Summary
The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus, Hermann 1779) is the only living representative of the genus Monachus [1] and one of the most endangered mammals in the world [2]. It is a medium-sized phocid that usually inhabits waters up to 200 m in depth and is closely linked to coastal habitats for reproduction [3]. Coastal habitat degradation and increased tourism have reduced the mainland areas available for resting and pupping, putting at risk the reproductive capacity of the species [3]. In 1997, a mass mortality event was documented in Cabo Blanco highlighting the fact that, together with other stochastic events [3], viruses and toxic algal blooms [14,15] could be important additional threats to monk seal survival
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
