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Genes, culture and connectivity in the ocean
In this Café Scientifique Emma Carroll discussed how culturally transmitted behaviour is shaping marine ecosystems.
Populations of marine animals, like whales and dolphins, rely on the transmission of behaviours - such as where to find suitable breeding grounds - from their parents and peers. Local extinction can lead to patchy recovery of species and a decrease in the connectivity between populations.
Listen to Emma Carroll, who is using studies of behaviour and the chemical signatures of feeding grounds, in conjunction with next generation genomic data, to shed light on ecologically important species, leading to better understanding, better management and better conservation.