Mitochondrial DNA diversity and population structure of humpback whales from their wintering areas in the Indian and South Atlantic Oceans (Wintering Regions A,B, C and X). Scientific Committee document SC/56/SH3, International Whaling Commission, July 2004, Sorrento, Italy
Rosenbaum, H.C.; Pomilla, C.; Leslie, M.; Best, P.B.; Collins, T.; Engel, M.H.; Ersts, P.J.; Findlay, K.P.; Kotze, P.J.H.; Meyer, M.; Minton, G.; Barendse, J.; Van Waerebeek, K.; Razafindrakoto, Y. (2004). Mitochondrial DNA diversity and population structure of humpback whales from their wintering areas in the Indian and South Atlantic Oceans (Wintering Regions A,B, C and X). Scientific Committee document SC/56/SH3, International Whaling Commission, July 2004, Sorrento, Italy. International Whaling Commission: Sorrento. 10 pp.
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| Authors | | Top |
- Rosenbaum, H.C.
- Pomilla, C.
- Leslie, M.
- Best, P.B.
- Collins, T.
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- Engel, M.H.
- Ersts, P.J.
- Findlay, K.P.
- Kotze, P.J.H.
- Meyer, M.
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- Minton, G.
- Barendse, J.
- Van Waerebeek, K., more
- Razafindrakoto, Y.
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| Abstract |
Humpback whales in the Southern Hemisphere are separated by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) into seven wintering Regions (A-G) based on tropical distribution. To better evaluate the significance of these stock subdivisions, an analysis of mtDNA was conducted for the eastern and western South Atlantic (Regions A and B), the southwestern Indian Ocean (Region C) and the northern Indian Ocean (Region X). A total of 1,416 individual whales representing eleven sampling sites within the four wintering Regions were sequenced for a portion of the mtDNA control region. A hierarchical analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) using FST and FST supported the division of wintering Regions based on IWC designated boundaries of A, B, C, and X. Pairwise comparisons further confirmed the A, B and C divisions, although varying degrees of heterogeneity (particularly molecular distances) were detected for proposed sub-divisions within Regions B and C. Overall, this large-scale mtDNA analysis for humpback whales in the Indian and South Atlantic Oceans supports wintering Region designations by the IWC. However, additional analyses and consideration of biological parameters such as gene flow are needed so that ‘within-region’ genetic analyses can help evaluate population structure and recovery in a management context. |
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