The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus<\/em>) is the most endangered seal in the world and in urgent need of immediate and effective conservation and management measures. One of the key factors hampering recovery of this threatened species is the substantial lack of information on the animals\u2019\u00a0 biology and population status. Due to the recent advances in molecular techniques, the genetic study of endangered species is increasingly being used in shaping conservation strategies. In the case of the Mediterranean monk seal, genetic research has been used successfully in understanding the genetic status, population structure and demographic trajectory of the monk seal colony at the Cabo Blanco Peninsula. In contrast, however, little is known with respect to the genetic status of the largest remaining population of the species, in the eastern Mediterranean Basin. Assessing genetic variability and understanding population structure of Mediterranean monk seals in Greece were identified as priority actions for the conservation of the species in the recently revised \u201cNational Strategy and Action Plan for the Conservation of the Mediterranean Monk seal in Greece 2009 \u2013 2015.\u201d This plan was developed by MOm<\/a>\/Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk seal and has been submitted to the National and European authorities for adoption.<\/p>\n With funding from the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission, researchers from MOm, the Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program of NOAA and the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology of the University of Hawaii recently launched a new research initiative to shed light into the \u201cgenetic secrets\u201d of the species in the eastern Mediterranean. The general aim of the study is to advance the conservation status of the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus<\/em>) in Greece through the study of its genome. The specific objectives are to develop a research protocol for the genetic study of the species and to conduct a preliminary assessment of the genetic status of the largest population in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, in Greece.<\/p>\n The project involves analysis of samples from more than 150 individual monk seals that have been collected by MOm over the past 20 years, through the operations of the National Monk Seal Rescue and Information Network. The samples will be analyzed at the same molecular laboratory that previously analyzed the genetic diversity and status of the Hawaiian monk seal. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Alexandros A. Karamanlidis, MOm The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is the most endangered seal in the world and in urgent need of immediate and effective conservation and management measures. One of the key factors hampering recovery of this threatened species is the substantial lack of information on the animals\u2019\u00a0 biology and population status. … <\/p>\n