Genetic analysis of the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) using microsatellites.

• Main Author: Bond, Joanna Margaret
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cambridge 1999
• Subjects: North Atlantic; Physeter macrocephalus; Sperm whale; toothed whales
• Online Access: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/265611; https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.11789

This thesis is not available on this repository until the author agrees to make it public. If you are the author of this thesis and would like to make your work openly available, please contact us: [e-mail]. Cambridge University Library can make a copy of this work available only for the purposes of private study and non-commercial research. Copies should not be shared or saved in any shared facilities. Copyright over the content of these works is with their authors. Theses from the Library collection are considered unpublished works and according to UK legislation quoting from them is not allowed without permission from their author. If you can commit to these terms, please complete the request form which you can find through this link: https://imagingservices.lib.cam.ac.uk/ Please note that print copies of theses may be available for consultation in the Cambridge University Library's Manuscript reading room. Admission details are at http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/departments/manuscripts-university-archives The sperm whale is the largest of the toothed whales (Odontoceti), and inhabits deep waters from equatorial to Polar Regions. Sperm whales are social and commonly l r . found in small groups. However, sociality varies according to sex and age. Immature males form bachelor groups that disperse as they mature, mature males are frequently encountered alone. Sperm whales are renowned for their diving capabilities. Therefore, surface observations are only possible for 10 to 15 minutes every hour. Consequently, the sperm whale is an ideal candidate for investigation using genetic markers. Genetic variation can reveal information on geographical structuring of populations and, on a finer scale, the social organisation within these groups. The focus of this thesis is an investigation into the structure of populations around the Azores. To date, this work represents the most comprehensive molecular investigation into North Atlantic sperm whales. Since 1988 sloughed skin samples have ...