HMSRP Hawaiian Monk Seal Microsatellite Genotypes

Currently ~2,400 Hawaiian monk seal specimens have been analyzed genetically, providing genotypes at 18 microsatellite loci. These data are organized by individual, identified by the Seal ID number. An additional dataset is being generated that will expand these genotypes by another 30 loci.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is the lead agency responsible for the recovery of the Hawaiian monk seal. Each year the NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Protected Species Division, Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program conducts studies at the main breeding sites to provide information necessary to evaluate (1) the status and trends of the monk seal subpopulations, (2) natural history traits such as survival, reproduction, growth, behavior, and feeding habits, and (3) the success of various activities designed to facilitate population growth. Microsatellite data may be used to identify individuals, assign parentage, and assess population dynamics and fitness.

Division: Protected Species

Division Chief: Charles Littnan

Program: Monk Seal Research Program

Authorities: Endangered Species Act

Ownership: PIFSC

Temporal Resolution: Year

Type of Data Collected: Genetic

Collection Method: DNA extraction, PCR, fragment analysis, allele calling

Recording Media: Access Database

Quality Control Validation and QC procedures: Available

Storage Location: Work computer 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, Conservation Genetics/Genomics Laboratory (American Museum of Natural History, New York)

Storage Media: Hard drive and back-up drive, PIFSC network drive

Storage Format :Access database

Backups: Available, includes offsite storage

Data Distribution Method: Electronic

The entity is a table containing microsatellite genotypes for Hawaiian monk seals. Individual seals are in rows, columns contain alleles for each locus.

ENT Table: GENETICS

NMFS/PIFSC, Protected Species Division, Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program Data Access, Sharing, and Dissemination Guidelines

Requestor will be asked to submit a request to Charles Littnan (charles.littnan@noaa.gov)

NMFS/PIFSC, Protected Species Division, Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program Data Access, Sharing, and Dissemination Guidelines

Use of the data set will ideally be cleared with NMFS/PIFSC, Protected Species Division. These data are PRELIMINARY and have not be completely screened for accuracy. NOAA can not be held liable for use of these data in a manner other than for perusal of preliminary data. The developers of these data are concerned with assuring its proper use. Before data are used to draw specific scientific conclusions, potential users are requested to contact NMFS/PIFSC, Protected Species Division for background on the data. Acknowledgement of the data should be cited. Different versions of the dataset may exist. The user must be sure to use the appropriate data set for the time period of interest. While efforts have been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable, NOAA cannot assume liablility for any damages or misrepresentation caused by any inaccuracies in the data or as a result of changes to the data caused by system transfers.

Data are collected both during dedicated efforts and opportunistically at Hawaiian monk seal haulout locations during variable-length field seasons over multiple years.

Seal cohorts are not equally represented in the data set.

Seal cohorts are not equally represented in the data set, and reproductive information obtained through field observations varies over time and by location

Data requires further checking prior to analysis

Steps were taken to avoid contamination of samples during DNA extraction and amplification steps.

A percentage of samples were run in duplicate to compare for consistency in amplification and allele classification.

we are figuring this out

good question

1 - samples collected from monk seals in field locations

2 - DNA extracted

3 - PCR used to amplify target microsatellite loci

4 - Genetic analyzer used to generate electropherograms indicating allele size

5 - Electropherograms scored by eye to determine allele classifications

6 - Error checking protocol completed

7 - Samples re-analyzed as needed to fill gaps or verify suspect genotypes