Cerchio, S.,Willson, A.,Muirhead, C.,Al Harthi, S.,Baldwin, R.,Bonato, M,Collins, T.,Di Clemente, J.,Dulau, Violaine,Estrade, Vanessa,Latha, G,Minton, A. Gianna.,Sarrouf Willson, M.
Geographic variation in song indicates both isolation of Arabian Sea humpback whales and presence of Southern Hemisphere whales off Oman Technical Report
no. 342, 2018, ISSN: IWC/SC67B/CMP19.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Humpback Whale, India, Indian Ocean, megaptera novaeangliae, Oman, population structure, Reunion, song
@techreport{,
title = {Geographic variation in song indicates both isolation of Arabian Sea humpback whales and presence of Southern Hemisphere whales off Oman},
author = {Cerchio, S.,Willson, A.,Muirhead, C.,Al Harthi, S.,Baldwin, R.,Bonato, M,Collins, T.,Di Clemente, J.,Dulau, Violaine,Estrade, Vanessa,Latha, G,Minton, A. Gianna.,Sarrouf Willson, M.},
url = {https://arabianseawhalenetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/sc_67b_cmp_19_oman-humpback-whale-song-analysis-and-comparison-1.pdf},
issn = {IWC/SC67B/CMP19},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
journal = {Document presented to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission},
number = {342},
pages = {31},
publisher = {International Whaling Commission},
abstract = {Existing genetic, demographic and behavioral evidence indicates that Arabian Sea humpback whales
represent an isolated and unique population. The population exhibits a Northern Hemisphere breeding
cycle, is believed to feed year-round, and lacks the typical latitudinal migrations and seasonal separation
of breeding and feeding ecology exhibited by other populations of humpback whales globally. A key
feature of humpback whale breeding behavior is the male acoustic breeding display, song, studied
extensively around the world. Key characteristics of humpback whale song include: all males within a
population share the same song patterns (phrases); a population’s song changes progressively over time;
and populations that do not overlap or exchange individuals have distinctly different songs, whereas
populations in contact share some or all phrases. Here we use long-term acoustic monitoring off the coast
of Oman to further assess the isolation of the Arabian Sea population. A total of 76 samples (amounting
to 4,434 minutes of recording) of Arabian Sea song collected between 2011 and 2013 were examined, and
phrase content was characterized and compared to 23 samples (totaling 202 min of recording) collected
during the same years in the Southwest Indian Ocean from Reunion Island and the Comoros Islands. Song
from the Arabian Sea and the Southwest Indian Ocean was distinct across the entire study period, with no
evidence for shared phrases in any year. In addition, song fragments recorded off western India in 2011
were composed of two phrases present in the Oman song, suggesting continuity across the Arabian Sea.
Moreover, the Arabian Sea song exhibited a markedly atypical low level of temporal variation, with song
phrases remaining virtually unchanged during the three examined breeding seasons. Notably, Southwest
Indian Ocean song was recorded off the coast of Oman in August 2012 (Boreal summer, Austral winter).
This song was recorded on multiple days and included multiple simultaneous singers over a 25 day period
indicating the presence of more than a single accidental vagrant Southern Hemisphere animal. We suggest
that these Southern songs were produced by Southwest Indian Ocean animals moving into the Arabian
Sea, and that this may be more common than is currently thought. The low level of temporal variation
shown by the Arabian Sea males along with the lack of adoption of the Southwest Indian Ocean song
material, further indicate the uniqueness and distinct nature of this population. It seems possible that
isolation mechanisms exist that may inhibit the mixing of the Arabian Sea population with Southern
Hemisphere animals, and that this may be reflected in the observed atypical song behavior.},
keywords = {Humpback Whale, India, Indian Ocean, megaptera novaeangliae, Oman, population structure, Reunion, song},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
Existing genetic, demographic and behavioral evidence indicates that Arabian Sea humpback whales
represent an isolated and unique population. The population exhibits a Northern Hemisphere breeding
cycle, is believed to feed year-round, and lacks the typical latitudinal migrations and seasonal separation
of breeding and feeding ecology exhibited by other populations of humpback whales globally. A key
feature of humpback whale breeding behavior is the male acoustic breeding display, song, studied
extensively around the world. Key characteristics of humpback whale song include: all males within a
population share the same song patterns (phrases); a population’s song changes progressively over time;
and populations that do not overlap or exchange individuals have distinctly different songs, whereas
populations in contact share some or all phrases. Here we use long-term acoustic monitoring off the coast
of Oman to further assess the isolation of the Arabian Sea population. A total of 76 samples (amounting
to 4,434 minutes of recording) of Arabian Sea song collected between 2011 and 2013 were examined, and
phrase content was characterized and compared to 23 samples (totaling 202 min of recording) collected
during the same years in the Southwest Indian Ocean from Reunion Island and the Comoros Islands. Song
from the Arabian Sea and the Southwest Indian Ocean was distinct across the entire study period, with no
evidence for shared phrases in any year. In addition, song fragments recorded off western India in 2011
were composed of two phrases present in the Oman song, suggesting continuity across the Arabian Sea.
Moreover, the Arabian Sea song exhibited a markedly atypical low level of temporal variation, with song
phrases remaining virtually unchanged during the three examined breeding seasons. Notably, Southwest
Indian Ocean song was recorded off the coast of Oman in August 2012 (Boreal summer, Austral winter).
This song was recorded on multiple days and included multiple simultaneous singers over a 25 day period
indicating the presence of more than a single accidental vagrant Southern Hemisphere animal. We suggest
that these Southern songs were produced by Southwest Indian Ocean animals moving into the Arabian
Sea, and that this may be more common than is currently thought. The low level of temporal variation
shown by the Arabian Sea males along with the lack of adoption of the Southwest Indian Ocean song
material, further indicate the uniqueness and distinct nature of this population. It seems possible that
isolation mechanisms exist that may inhibit the mixing of the Arabian Sea population with Southern
Hemisphere animals, and that this may be reflected in the observed atypical song behavior.
represent an isolated and unique population. The population exhibits a Northern Hemisphere breeding
cycle, is believed to feed year-round, and lacks the typical latitudinal migrations and seasonal separation
of breeding and feeding ecology exhibited by other populations of humpback whales globally. A key
feature of humpback whale breeding behavior is the male acoustic breeding display, song, studied
extensively around the world. Key characteristics of humpback whale song include: all males within a
population share the same song patterns (phrases); a population’s song changes progressively over time;
and populations that do not overlap or exchange individuals have distinctly different songs, whereas
populations in contact share some or all phrases. Here we use long-term acoustic monitoring off the coast
of Oman to further assess the isolation of the Arabian Sea population. A total of 76 samples (amounting
to 4,434 minutes of recording) of Arabian Sea song collected between 2011 and 2013 were examined, and
phrase content was characterized and compared to 23 samples (totaling 202 min of recording) collected
during the same years in the Southwest Indian Ocean from Reunion Island and the Comoros Islands. Song
from the Arabian Sea and the Southwest Indian Ocean was distinct across the entire study period, with no
evidence for shared phrases in any year. In addition, song fragments recorded off western India in 2011
were composed of two phrases present in the Oman song, suggesting continuity across the Arabian Sea.
Moreover, the Arabian Sea song exhibited a markedly atypical low level of temporal variation, with song
phrases remaining virtually unchanged during the three examined breeding seasons. Notably, Southwest
Indian Ocean song was recorded off the coast of Oman in August 2012 (Boreal summer, Austral winter).
This song was recorded on multiple days and included multiple simultaneous singers over a 25 day period
indicating the presence of more than a single accidental vagrant Southern Hemisphere animal. We suggest
that these Southern songs were produced by Southwest Indian Ocean animals moving into the Arabian
Sea, and that this may be more common than is currently thought. The low level of temporal variation
shown by the Arabian Sea males along with the lack of adoption of the Southwest Indian Ocean song
material, further indicate the uniqueness and distinct nature of this population. It seems possible that
isolation mechanisms exist that may inhibit the mixing of the Arabian Sea population with Southern
Hemisphere animals, and that this may be reflected in the observed atypical song behavior.
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.
Multiple processes drive genetic structure of humpback whale ( Journal Article
In: Molecular Ecology, no. 131, pp. n/a-n/a, 2017, ISBN: 1365-294X.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: behaviour, Humpback Whale, International Whaling Commission, megaptera novaeangliae, population assessment, population genetics, population identity, population structure, Southern Hemisphere, wildlife management
@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}
}
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.
Rosenbaum, H. C.,Kershaw, F.,Mendez, M.,Pomilla, C.,Leslie, M. S.,Findlay, K. P.,Best, P. B.,Collins, T.,Vely, M.,Engel, M. H.,Baldwin, R.,Minton, G.,Meÿer, M.,Flórez-González, L.,Poole, M. M.,Hauser, N.,Garrigue, C.,Brasseur, M.,Bannister, J.,Anderson, M.,Olavarría, C.,Baker, C. S.
First circumglobal assessment of Southern Hemisphere humpback whale mitochondrial genetic variation and implications for management Journal Article
In: Endangered Species Research, vol. 32, no. 213, pp. 551-567, 2017.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, breeding grounds, Genetic differentiation, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, mtDNA, population structure, Stock assessment
@article{,
title = {First circumglobal assessment of Southern Hemisphere humpback whale mitochondrial genetic variation and implications for management},
author = {Rosenbaum, H. C.,Kershaw, F.,Mendez, M.,Pomilla, C.,Leslie, M. S.,Findlay, K. P.,Best, P. B.,Collins, T.,Vely, M.,Engel, M. H.,Baldwin, R.,Minton, G.,Meÿer, M.,Flórez-González, L.,Poole, M. M.,Hauser, N.,Garrigue, C.,Brasseur, M.,Bannister, J.,Anderson, M.,Olavarría, C.,Baker, C. S.},
url = {http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v32/p551-567/},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
journal = {Endangered Species Research},
volume = {32},
number = {213},
pages = {551-567},
abstract = {ABSTRACT: The description of genetic population structure over a species geographic range can provide insights into its evolutionary history and also support effective management efforts. Assessments for globally distributed species are rare, however, requiring significant international coordination and collaboration. The global distribution of demographically discrete populations for the humpback whale \textit{Megaptera novaeangliae} is not fully known, hampering the definition of appropriate management units. Here, we present the first circumglobal assessment of mitochondrial genetic population structure across the species range in the Southern Hemisphere and Arabian Sea. We combine new and existing data from the mitochondrial (mt)DNA control region that resulted in a 311 bp consensus sequence of the mtDNA control region for 3009 individuals sampled across 14 breeding stocks and subpopulations currently recognized by the International Whaling Commission. We assess genetic diversity and test for genetic differentiation and also estimate the magnitude and directionality of historic matrilineal gene flow between putative populations. Our results indicate that maternally directed site fidelity drives significant genetic population structure between breeding stocks within ocean basins. However, patterns of connectivity differ across the circumpolar range, possibly as a result of differences in the extent of longitudinal movements on feeding areas. The number of population comparisons observed to be significantly differentiated were found to diminish at the subpopulation scale when nucleotide differences were examined, indicating that more complex processes underlie genetic structure at this scale. It is crucial that these complexities and uncertainties are afforded greater consideration in management and regulatory efforts.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, breeding grounds, Genetic differentiation, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, mtDNA, population structure, Stock assessment},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
ABSTRACT: The description of genetic population structure over a species geographic range can provide insights into its evolutionary history and also support effective management efforts. Assessments for globally distributed species are rare, however, requiring significant international coordination and collaboration. The global distribution of demographically discrete populations for the humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae is not fully known, hampering the definition of appropriate management units. Here, we present the first circumglobal assessment of mitochondrial genetic population structure across the species range in the Southern Hemisphere and Arabian Sea. We combine new and existing data from the mitochondrial (mt)DNA control region that resulted in a 311 bp consensus sequence of the mtDNA control region for 3009 individuals sampled across 14 breeding stocks and subpopulations currently recognized by the International Whaling Commission. We assess genetic diversity and test for genetic differentiation and also estimate the magnitude and directionality of historic matrilineal gene flow between putative populations. Our results indicate that maternally directed site fidelity drives significant genetic population structure between breeding stocks within ocean basins. However, patterns of connectivity differ across the circumpolar range, possibly as a result of differences in the extent of longitudinal movements on feeding areas. The number of population comparisons observed to be significantly differentiated were found to diminish at the subpopulation scale when nucleotide differences were examined, indicating that more complex processes underlie genetic structure at this scale. It is crucial that these complexities and uncertainties are afforded greater consideration in management and regulatory efforts.
Mendez, M.,Subramaniam, A.,Collins, T.,Minton, G.,Baldwin, R.,Berggren, P.,Sa¨rnblad, A.,Amir, O. A.,Peddemors, V.,Karczmarski, L.,Guissamulo, A.,Rosenbaum, H.C.
Molecular ecology meets remote sensing: environmental drivers to population structure of humpback dolphins in the Western Indian Ocean Journal Article
In: Heredity, no. 404, pp. 1-13, 2011.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Genetic differentiation, indopacific humpback dolphin, migration, population structure, remote sensing, sousa, Sousa chinensis
@article{,
title = {Molecular ecology meets remote sensing: environmental drivers to population structure of humpback dolphins in the Western Indian Ocean},
author = {Mendez, M.,Subramaniam, A.,Collins, T.,Minton, G.,Baldwin, R.,Berggren, P.,Sa¨rnblad, A.,Amir, O. A.,Peddemors, V.,Karczmarski, L.,Guissamulo, A.,Rosenbaum, H.C.},
year = {2011},
date = {2011-01-01},
journal = {Heredity},
number = {404},
pages = {1-13},
abstract = {Genetic analyses of population structure can be placed in
explicit environmental contexts if appropriate environmental
data are available. Here, we use high-coverage and highresolution
oceanographic and genetic sequence data to
assess population structure patterns and their potential
environmental influences for humpback dolphins in the
Western Indian Ocean. We analyzed mitochondrial DNA
data from 94 dolphins from the coasts of South Africa,
Mozambique, Tanzania and Oman, employing frequencybased
and maximum-likelihood algorithms to assess population
structure and migration patterns. The genetic data were
combined with 13 years of remote sensing oceanographic
data of variables known to influence cetacean dispersal and
population structure. Our analyses show strong and highly
significant genetic structure between all putative populations,
except for those in South Africa and Mozambique. Interestingly,
the oceanographic data display marked environmental
heterogeneity between all sampling areas and a degree of
overlap between South Africa and Mozambique. Our
combined analyses therefore suggest the occurrence of
genetically isolated populations of humpback dolphins in
areas that are environmentally distinct. This study highlights
the utility of molecular tools in combination with highresolution
and high-coverage environmental data to address
questions not only pertaining to genetic population structure,
but also to relevant ecological processes in marine species},
keywords = {Genetic differentiation, indopacific humpback dolphin, migration, population structure, remote sensing, sousa, Sousa chinensis},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Genetic analyses of population structure can be placed in
explicit environmental contexts if appropriate environmental
data are available. Here, we use high-coverage and highresolution
oceanographic and genetic sequence data to
assess population structure patterns and their potential
environmental influences for humpback dolphins in the
Western Indian Ocean. We analyzed mitochondrial DNA
data from 94 dolphins from the coasts of South Africa,
Mozambique, Tanzania and Oman, employing frequencybased
and maximum-likelihood algorithms to assess population
structure and migration patterns. The genetic data were
combined with 13 years of remote sensing oceanographic
data of variables known to influence cetacean dispersal and
population structure. Our analyses show strong and highly
significant genetic structure between all putative populations,
except for those in South Africa and Mozambique. Interestingly,
the oceanographic data display marked environmental
heterogeneity between all sampling areas and a degree of
overlap between South Africa and Mozambique. Our
combined analyses therefore suggest the occurrence of
genetically isolated populations of humpback dolphins in
areas that are environmentally distinct. This study highlights
the utility of molecular tools in combination with highresolution
and high-coverage environmental data to address
questions not only pertaining to genetic population structure,
but also to relevant ecological processes in marine species
explicit environmental contexts if appropriate environmental
data are available. Here, we use high-coverage and highresolution
oceanographic and genetic sequence data to
assess population structure patterns and their potential
environmental influences for humpback dolphins in the
Western Indian Ocean. We analyzed mitochondrial DNA
data from 94 dolphins from the coasts of South Africa,
Mozambique, Tanzania and Oman, employing frequencybased
and maximum-likelihood algorithms to assess population
structure and migration patterns. The genetic data were
combined with 13 years of remote sensing oceanographic
data of variables known to influence cetacean dispersal and
population structure. Our analyses show strong and highly
significant genetic structure between all putative populations,
except for those in South Africa and Mozambique. Interestingly,
the oceanographic data display marked environmental
heterogeneity between all sampling areas and a degree of
overlap between South Africa and Mozambique. Our
combined analyses therefore suggest the occurrence of
genetically isolated populations of humpback dolphins in
areas that are environmentally distinct. This study highlights
the utility of molecular tools in combination with highresolution
and high-coverage environmental data to address
questions not only pertaining to genetic population structure,
but also to relevant ecological processes in marine species
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.
Population Structure of Humpback Whales from Their Breeding Grounds in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans Journal Article
In: PLoS ONE, vol. 4, no. 460, pp. e7318. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0007318, 2009.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, Humpback Whale, Indian Ocean, megaptera novaeangliae, migration, mtDNA, Oman, population identity, population structure, Population X, Southern Hemisphere
@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}
}
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.
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.
Rosenbaum,H.C.,Glaberman,S.,Jefferson,T.,Collins,T.,Minton,G.,Peddemors,V.,Baldwin,R.M.
Phylogenetic relationships and population structure among humpback dolphins based on mtDNA variation Technical Report
no. 459, 2002, ISBN: SC/54/SM34.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: control region, dolphin, dolphins, humpback dolphins, International Whaling Commission, mtDNA, Oman, Pacific Ocean, phylogenetic, population, population structure, South Africa, status, taxonomy, whaling
@techreport{,
title = {Phylogenetic relationships and population structure among humpback dolphins based on mtDNA variation},
author = {Rosenbaum,H.C.,Glaberman,S.,Jefferson,T.,Collins,T.,Minton,G.,Peddemors,V.,Baldwin,R.M.},
issn = {SC/54/SM34},
year = {2002},
date = {2002-01-01},
journal = {Document presented to the 54th meeting of the International Whaling Commission},
volume = {SC/54/SM34},
number = {459},
pages = {1-8},
abstract = {The taxonomy, systematic relationships, and population structure of humpback dolphins (genus Sousa) have been controversial. Various nominal species have been described or subsumed. Recent reports have suggested the division of Sousa into one to three distinct species or sub-species. However, many of these analyses have not been conducted in a proper systematics framework, did not include all representative putative taxa or were lacking specimens from parts of their geographic range, and have not been in published in peer-reviewed journals (typically necessary for revising taxonomy). In order to address relationships and taxonomic status among Sousa species, we present a preliminary genetic analysis of humpback dolphins primarily from Southeast Asia, the coast of Oman, and South Africa. A total of 110 samples were sequenced for 501 by of mtDNA control region and significant population structuring at the regional level was revealed. Population Aggregation and phylogenetic analyses of mtDNA control region lineages and a subset of lineages analyzed for a 358 by fragment of Cytochrome B revealed a series of complex relationships among humpback dolphins in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. These preliminary data are a critical first step to better understanding the taxonomy and systematics in the genus Sousa. Additional molecular character data from other mitochondria) and nuclear genes will be essential for resolving relationship and taxonomic status for humpback dolphins.},
keywords = {control region, dolphin, dolphins, humpback dolphins, International Whaling Commission, mtDNA, Oman, Pacific Ocean, phylogenetic, population, population structure, South Africa, status, taxonomy, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
The taxonomy, systematic relationships, and population structure of humpback dolphins (genus Sousa) have been controversial. Various nominal species have been described or subsumed. Recent reports have suggested the division of Sousa into one to three distinct species or sub-species. However, many of these analyses have not been conducted in a proper systematics framework, did not include all representative putative taxa or were lacking specimens from parts of their geographic range, and have not been in published in peer-reviewed journals (typically necessary for revising taxonomy). In order to address relationships and taxonomic status among Sousa species, we present a preliminary genetic analysis of humpback dolphins primarily from Southeast Asia, the coast of Oman, and South Africa. A total of 110 samples were sequenced for 501 by of mtDNA control region and significant population structuring at the regional level was revealed. Population Aggregation and phylogenetic analyses of mtDNA control region lineages and a subset of lineages analyzed for a 358 by fragment of Cytochrome B revealed a series of complex relationships among humpback dolphins in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. These preliminary data are a critical first step to better understanding the taxonomy and systematics in the genus Sousa. Additional molecular character data from other mitochondria) and nuclear genes will be essential for resolving relationship and taxonomic status for humpback dolphins.