Assessment of mitochondrial DNA structuring and nursery use in the North Atlantic right whale ( Eubalaena glacialis )
The North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) inhabits five areas along the east coast of North America at different times of the year. During 17 years of field observations, it has been found that only 59% of the newborn calves are brought to the Bay of Fundy nursery area. To examine whether...
| Published in: | Canadian Journal of Zoology |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Canadian Science Publishing
1999
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z99-073 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z99-073 |
| Summary: | The North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) inhabits five areas along the east coast of North America at different times of the year. During 17 years of field observations, it has been found that only 59% of the newborn calves are brought to the Bay of Fundy nursery area. To examine whether this is because of population structuring, the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region haplotypes were determined for 269 individuals. Seven polymorphic sites were found to define five haplotypes. Calves were divided into two groups based on whether or not they were brought to the Bay of Fundy nursery. Significant genetic structuring of mitochondrial haplotypes was found between these groups (p = 0.002). Mothers that have had more than three calves demonstrated significant fidelity (p = 0.005) to the Bay of Fundy, suggesting that philopatry is the basis for the genetic structuring. Although this study clearly identifies the existence of two subpopulations and an alternative nursery area(s), the location(s) of the alternative area(s) is unclear and remains an important issue for the conservation of the species. |
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