@article{,

title = {Multiple processes drive genetic structure of humpback whale (},

author = {Kershaw, Francine,Carvalho, Inês,Loo, Jacqueline,Pomilla, Cristina,Best, Peter B.,Findlay, Ken P.,Cerchio, Salvatore,Collins, Tim,Engel, Marcia H.,Minton, Gianna,Ersts, Peter,Barendse, Jaco,Kotze, P. G. H.,Razafindrakoto, Yvette,Ngouessono, Solange,Meÿer, Michael,Thorton, Meredith,Rosenbaum, Howard C.},

url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mec.13943},

issn = {1365-294X},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Molecular Ecology},

number = {131},

pages = {n/a-n/a},

abstract = {Elucidating patterns of population structure for species with complex life histories, and disentangling the processes driving such patterns, remains a significant analytical challenge. Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) populations display complex genetic structures that have not been fully resolved at all spatial scales. We generated a data set of nuclear markers for 3575 samples spanning the seven breeding stocks and substocks found in the South Atlantic and western and northern Indian Oceans. For the total sample, and males and females separately, we assessed genetic diversity, tested for genetic differentiation between putative populations and isolation by distance, estimated the number of genetic clusters without a priori population information and estimated rates of gene flow using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian approaches. At the ocean basin scale, structure is governed by geographical distance (IBD P < 0.05) and female fidelity to breeding areas, in line with current understanding of the drivers of broadscale population structure. Consistent with previous studies, the Arabian Sea breeding stock was highly genetically differentiated (FST 0.034–0.161; P < 0.01 for all comparisons). However, the breeding stock boundary between west South Africa and east Africa was more porous than expected based on genetic differentiation, cluster and geneflow analyses. Instances of male fidelity to breeding areas and relatively high rates of dispersal for females were also observed between the three substocks in the western Indian Ocean. The relationships between demographic units and current management boundaries may have ramifications for assessments of the status and continued protections of populations still in recovery from commercial whaling.},

keywords = {behaviour, Humpback Whale, International Whaling Commission, megaptera novaeangliae, population assessment, population genetics, population identity, population structure, Southern Hemisphere, wildlife management},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {The World's Most Isolated and Distinct Whale Population? Humpback Whales of the Arabian Sea},

author = {Pomilla, Cristina,Amaral, Ana R.,Collins, Tim,Minton, Gianna,Findlay, Ken,Leslie, Matthew S.,Ponnampalam, Louisa,Baldwin, Robert,Rosenbaum, Howard},

url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0114162},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-01-01},

journal = {PLoS ONE},

volume = {9},

number = {194},

pages = {e114162},

publisher = {Public Library of Science},

abstract = {
A clear understanding of population structure is essential for assessing conservation status and implementing management strategies. A small, non-migratory population of humpback whales in the Arabian Sea is classified as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, an assessment constrained by a lack of data, including limited understanding of its relationship to other populations. We analysed 11 microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA sequences extracted from 67 Arabian Sea humpback whale tissue samples and compared them to equivalent datasets from the Southern Hemisphere and North Pacific. Results show that the Arabian Sea population is highly distinct; estimates of gene flow and divergence times suggest a Southern Indian Ocean origin but indicate that it has been isolated for approximately 70,000 years, remarkable for a species that is typically highly migratory. Genetic diversity values are significantly lower than those obtained for Southern Hemisphere populations and signatures of ancient and recent genetic bottlenecks were identified. Our findings suggest this is the world's most isolated humpback whale population, which, when combined with low population abundance estimates and anthropogenic threats, raises concern for its survival. We recommend an amendment of the status of the population to “Critically Endangered” on the IUCN Red List.
},

keywords = {Arabian Sea, Evolution, Genetic differentiation, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, migration, population identity, Stock identity, Threats},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {A note on the comparison of humpback whale tail fluke catalogues from the Sultanate of Oman with Madagascar and the East African Mainland},

author = {Minton,G.,Cherchio, S.,Collins,T.J.Q.,Ersts, P.J.,Findlay,K.P.,Pomilla, C.,Bennett, D.,Meyer, M.,Razafindrakoto, Y.,Kotze, D.,Oosthuizen, H.,Leslie, M.,Andrianarivelo, N.,Baldwin,R.M.,Ponnampalam, L.,Rosenbaum, H.C.},

year  = {2010},

date = {2010-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Cetacean Research and Management},

volume = {11},

number = {408},

pages = {65-68},

abstract = {The photo-identification catalogue of humpback whale tail flukes from Oman was compared with those from Antongil Bay, Madagascar and study

sites in South Africa and Mozambique collectively termed the ‘East African Mainland’. No matches were found, supporting other lines of evidence

that the humpback whales studied off the coast of Oman form part of a discrete Arabian Sea population, which adheres to a Northern Hemisphere

breeding cycle, and has little or no ongoing exchange with the nearest neighbouring populations in the southern Indian Ocean.While the sample size

from Oman is small, and low levels of ongoing exchange might not be detected in this type of catalogue comparison, the study nonetheless emphasises

the need to pursue research and conservation efforts in the known and suspected range of the Endangered Arabian Sea humpback whale population.},

keywords = {Arabian Sea, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, Madagascar, megaptera novaeangliae, Mozambique, Northern Hemisphere, Oman, photo-ID, population identity, South Africa},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Population Structure of Humpback Whales from Their Breeding Grounds in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans},

author = {Rosenbaum, H.C.,Pomilla, C.,Mendez, M.C.,Leslie, M.,Best, P.,Findlay, K.,Minton, G.,Ersts, P.J.,Collins, T.,Engel, M.H.,Bonatto, S.,Kotze, D.,Meyer, M.,Barendse, J.,Thornton, M.,Razafindrakoto, Y.,Ngouessono, S,Vely, M.,Kiszka, J.},

url = {https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0007318},

year  = {2009},

date = {2009-01-01},

journal = {PLoS ONE},

volume = {4},

number = {460},

pages = {e7318. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0007318},

abstract = {Although humpback whales are among the best-studied of the large whales, population boundaries in the Southern

Hemisphere (SH) have remained largely untested. We assess population structure of SH humpback whales using 1,527

samples collected from whales at fourteen sampling sites within the Southwestern and Southeastern Atlantic, the

Southwestern Indian Ocean, and Northern Indian Ocean (Breeding Stocks A, B, C and X, respectively). Evaluation of mtDNA

population structure and migration rates was carried out under different statistical frameworks. Using all genetic evidence,

the results suggest significant degrees of population structure between all ocean basins, with the Southwestern and

Northern Indian Ocean most differentiated from each other. Effective migration rates were highest between the

Southeastern Atlantic and the Southwestern Indian Ocean, followed by rates within the Southeastern Atlantic, and the

lowest between the Southwestern and Northern Indian Ocean. At finer scales, very low gene flow was detected between

the two neighbouring sub-regions in the Southeastern Atlantic, compared to high gene flow for whales within the

Southwestern Indian Ocean. Our genetic results support the current management designations proposed by the

International Whaling Commission of Breeding Stocks A, B, C, and X as four strongly structured populations. The population

structure patterns found in this study are likely to have been influenced by a combination of long-term maternally directed

fidelity of migratory destinations, along with other ecological and oceanographic features in the region.},

keywords = {Arabian Sea, Humpback Whale, Indian Ocean, megaptera novaeangliae, migration, mtDNA, Oman, population identity, population structure, Population X, Southern Hemisphere},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Oman's humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) },

author = {Baldwin,R.M.},

year  = {2000},

date = {2000-01-01},

journal = {The Journal of Oman Studies},

volume = {11 },

number = {316},

pages = {11-18},

abstract = {Data are presented on the general distribution and abundance of humpback whales off the coast of the Sultanate of Oman, with particular reference to observations made during an offshore seismic survey in the Arabian Sea in November 1997. Additional information is presented on seasonal occurrence, ecology and behaviour, external appearance, conservation, mortality, incidental capture, population status and identity of Oman's humpback whales. The data generally support the notion of year-round residency of humpback whales off the coast of Oman, but indicate the need for further research to establish whether the low frequency of positive records during summer months is a true reflection of seasonal distribution. Other research on humpback whales in the region is recommended.},

keywords = {abundance, Arabian Sea, behaviour, conservation, Distribution, ecology, Gulf of Oman, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, incidental capture, megaptera novaeangliae, mortality, occurrence, Oman, population, population identity, status, survey, whale, whales},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae in the Arabian Sea},

author = {Mikhalev,Y.A.},

year  = {1997},

date = {1997-01-01},

journal = {Marine Ecology Progress Series},

volume = {149},

number = {154},

pages = {13-21},

abstract = {The population identity of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae in the Arabian Sea has long been a matter of dispute. New information is presented from this region, based upon whaling and observations conducted by the Soviet Union, primarily in November 1966. In that month, a total of 238 humpbacks were killed off the coasts of Oman, Pakistan and northwestern India; 4 others were killed in 1965. Biological examination of these whales showed that they differed significantly from Antarctic humpbacks in terms of size, coloration, body scars and pathology. In addition, analysis of the length distribution of 38 foetuses indicates that the reproductive cycle of the Arabian Sea whales was unequivocally that of a northern hemisphere population. Mean lengths were 12.8 m for males (range: 9.5 to 14.9 m, n = 126) and 13.3 m for females (range: 9.5 to 15.2 m, n = 112). All whales 12.5 m or more in length were sexually mature. Among 97 females examined, 12 (12.4%) were immature. Of the 85 mature females, 39 (45.9%) were pregnant, 3 (3.5%) were lactating, and 43 (50.6%) were resting. A more plausible pregnancy rate, adjusted for underrepresentation of lactating females, was estimated at 39%. A majority of stomachs examined contained food, including euphausiids and fish. Overall, the data presented here argue strongly that Arabian Sea humpbacks constitute a discrete population which remains in tropical waters year-round, a situation which is unique for this species.},

keywords = {Antarctic, Arabian Sea, Distribution, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, India, Indian Ocean, length, megaptera novaeangliae, Northern Hemisphere, Oman, Pakistan, pathology, population, Population Biology, population identity, reproduction, whale, whales, whaling},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}