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Costa APB, Archer FI, Rosel PE, Perrin WF. Tursiops truncatus nuuanu, a new subspecies of the common bottlenose dolphin from the eastern tropical Pacific. J MAMM EVOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10914-022-09641-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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The Seabed Makes the Dolphins: Physiographic Features Shape the Size and Structure of the Bottlenose Dolphin Geographical Units. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse10081036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is a cosmopolitan delphinid, regularly present in the Mediterranean Sea. According to previous studies, this dolphin tends to form resident geographical units scattered on the continental shelf. We investigated how the physiographic characteristics of the area of residence, with special reference to the size and shape of the continental shelf, affect the home range and the group size of the local units. We analysed and compared data collected between 2004–2016 by 15 research groups operating in different study areas of the Mediterranean Sea: the Alboran Sea, in the South-Western Mediterranean, the Gulf of Lion and the Pelagos Sanctuary for the marine mammals, in the North-Western Mediterranean, and the Gulf of Ambracia, in the North-Central Mediterranean Sea. We have found that in areas characterised by a wide continental platform, dolphins have wider home ranges and aggregate into larger groups. In areas characterized by a narrow continental platform, dolphins show much smaller home ranges and aggregate into smaller groups. The results obtained from this collective research effort highlight the importance of data sharing to improve our scientific knowledge in the field of cetaceans and beyond.
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Gómez R, Neri-Bazán RM, Posadas-Mondragon A, Vizcaíno-Dorado PA, Magaña JJ, Aguilar-Faisal JL. Molecular Assessments, Statistical Effectiveness Parameters and Genetic Structure of Captive Populations of Tursiops truncatus Using 15 STRs. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12141857. [PMID: 35883404 PMCID: PMC9312175 DOI: 10.3390/ani12141857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The bottlenose dolphins are one of the most used species in entertainment, assisted therapy, education, and research on welfare. However, their maintenance in captivity requires powerful and sensitive tools for preserving their diversity. The number of genetic markers for this purpose remains controversial, restraining the marine species’ genetic diversity determination. We aimed to select 15 hypervariable molecular markers whose statistical parameters were made in 210 captive dolphins from 18 Mexican centers to support their usefulness. The proposed set of markers allowed us to obtain a genetic fingerprint of each dolphin. Additionally, we identified the structure of the captive population, analyzing the groups according to the capture location. Such characterization is key for maintaining the captive species’ biodiversity rates within conservation and reintroduction programs. However, these 15 genetic markers can also be helpful for small- isolated populations, subspecies and other genera of endangered and vulnerable species. Abstract Genetic analysis is a conventional way of identifying and monitoring captive and wildlife species. Knowledge of statistical parameters reinforcing their usefulness and effectiveness as powerful tools for preserving diversity is crucial. Although several studies have reported the diversity of cetaceans such as Tursiops truncatus using microsatellites, its informative degree has been poorly reported. Furthermore, the genetic structure of this cetacean has not been fully studied. In the present study, we selected 15 microsatellites with which 210 dolphins were genetically characterized using capillary electrophoresis. The genetic assertiveness of this set of hypervariable markers identified one individual in the range of 6.927e13 to 1.806e16, demonstrating its substantial capability in kinship relationships. The genetic structure of these 210 dolphins was also determined regarding the putative capture origin; a genetic stratification (k = 2) was found. An additional dolphin group of undetermined origin was also characterized to challenge the proficiency of our chosen markers. The set of markers proposed herein could be a helpful tool to guarantee the maintenance of the genetic diversity rates in conservation programs both in Tursiops truncatus and across other odontocetes, Mysticeti and several genera of endangered and vulnerable species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Gómez
- Departamento de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City 07360, Mexico;
| | - Rocío M. Neri-Bazán
- Laboratorio de Medicina de Conservación, Escuela Superior de Medicina-Instituto Politécnico Nacional (ESM-IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (R.M.N.-B.); (A.P.-M.)
- Laboratorio de Medicina Genómica, Departamento de Genética, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación-Luis Guillermo Ibarra-Ibarra (INR-LGII), Mexico City 14389, Mexico;
| | - Araceli Posadas-Mondragon
- Laboratorio de Medicina de Conservación, Escuela Superior de Medicina-Instituto Politécnico Nacional (ESM-IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (R.M.N.-B.); (A.P.-M.)
| | - Pablo A. Vizcaíno-Dorado
- Laboratorio de Medicina Genómica, Departamento de Genética, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación-Luis Guillermo Ibarra-Ibarra (INR-LGII), Mexico City 14389, Mexico;
| | - Jonathan J. Magaña
- Laboratorio de Medicina Genómica, Departamento de Genética, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación-Luis Guillermo Ibarra-Ibarra (INR-LGII), Mexico City 14389, Mexico;
- Departamento de Bioingenieria, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey-Campus Ciudad de México (ITESM-CCM), Mexico City 14380, Mexico
- Correspondence: (J.J.M.); (J.L.A.-F.)
| | - José Leopoldo Aguilar-Faisal
- Laboratorio de Medicina de Conservación, Escuela Superior de Medicina-Instituto Politécnico Nacional (ESM-IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (R.M.N.-B.); (A.P.-M.)
- Correspondence: (J.J.M.); (J.L.A.-F.)
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Gillet A, Frédérich B, Pierce SE, Parmentier E. Iterative Habitat Transitions are Associated with Morphological Convergence of the Backbone in Delphinoids. J MAMM EVOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10914-022-09615-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Vargas-Fonseca OA, Yates P, Kirkman SP, Pistorius PA, Moore DM, Natoli A, Cockcroft V, Hoelzel AR. Population structure associated with bioregion and seasonal prey distribution for Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in South Africa. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:4642-4659. [PMID: 34289192 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Many marine species exhibit fine-scale population structure despite high mobility and a lack of physical barriers to dispersal, but the evolutionary drivers of differentiation in these systems are generally poorly understood. Here we investigate the potential role of habitat transitions and seasonal prey distributions on the evolution of population structure in the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops aduncus, off South Africa's coast, using double-digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing. Population structure was identified between the eastern and southern coasts and correlated with the habitat transition between the temperate Agulhas (southern) and subtropical Natal (eastern) Bioregions, suggesting differentiation driven by resource specializations. Differentiation along the Natal coast was comparatively weak, but was evident in some analyses and varied depending on whether the samples were collected during or outside the seasonal sardine (Sardinops sagax) run. This local abundance of prey could influence the ranging patterns and apparent genetic structure of T. aduncus. These findings have significant and transferable management implications, most importantly in terms of differentiating populations inhabiting distinct bioregions and seasonal structural patterns within a region associated with the movement of prey resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Alejandra Vargas-Fonseca
- Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.,Marine Apex Predator Research Unit (MAPRU), Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Paige Yates
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, Durham, UK
| | - Stephan P Kirkman
- Marine Apex Predator Research Unit (MAPRU), Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.,Branch: Oceans and Coasts, Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Pierre A Pistorius
- Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.,Marine Apex Predator Research Unit (MAPRU), Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Daniel M Moore
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, Durham, UK
| | - Ada Natoli
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, United Arab Emirates.,UAE Dolphin Project, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Victor Cockcroft
- Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - A Rus Hoelzel
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, Durham, UK
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Watt CA, Hornby C, Ferguson SH. Trace element and stable isotope analysis elucidate stock structure in a narwhal (Monodon monoceros) population with no genetic substructure. CAN J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2018-0307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chemical composition of tissues can act as a biological tag to discriminate among groups of animals that inhabit different areas. In Canada, subsistence hunting of the Baffin Bay narwhal (Monodon monoceros Linnaeus, 1758) population is managed as stocks represented by summer aggregations. However, narwhals are highly mobile and are hunted during the migration while stocks mix. Thus, information that can help managers decipher the stock origin of hunted individuals to prevent overexploitation of animals adapted to particular summering grounds is needed. Stable isotope and trace element analyses were conducted on narwhal skin tissues from five stocks in the eastern Canadian Arctic from 1990 to 2015. Discriminant analysis showed a significant difference between Admiralty Inlet and Eclipse Sound stocks in the summer residency period and both differed from Jones Sound and Somerset Island. During the migration season, there was more overlap and less distinction among stocks, but 75% of animals were classified correctly to their defined stocks in both periods. Together stable isotope and trace element analyses are useful for delineating stocks and could be used to complement other stock discrimination approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cortney A. Watt
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N6, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Claire Hornby
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N6, Canada
| | - Steven H. Ferguson
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N6, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
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Bayas-Rea RDLÁ, Félix F, Montufar R. Genetic divergence and fine scale population structure of the common bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus, Montagu) found in the Gulf of Guayaquil, Ecuador. PeerJ 2018; 6:e4589. [PMID: 29707430 PMCID: PMC5916226 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, is widely distributed along the western coast of South America. In Ecuador, a resident population of bottlenose dolphins inhabits the inner estuarine area of the Gulf of Guayaquil located in the southwestern part of the country and is under threat from different human activities in the area. Only one genetic study on South American common bottlenose dolphins has been carried out to date, and understanding genetic variation of wildlife populations, especially species that are identified as threatened, is crucial for defining conservation units and developing appropriate conservation strategies. In order to evaluate the evolutionary link of this population, we assessed the phylogenetic relationships, phylogeographic patterns, and population structure using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The sampling comprised: (i) 31 skin samples collected from free-ranging dolphins at three locations in the Gulf of Guayaquil inner estuary, (ii) 38 samples from stranded dolphins available at the collection of the “Museo de Ballenas de Salinas,” (iii) 549 mtDNA control region (mtDNA CR) sequences from GenBank, and (iv) 66 concatenated sequences from 7-mtDNA regions (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, NADH dehydrogenase subunit I–II, cytochrome oxidase I and II, cytochrome b, and CR) obtained from mitogenomes available in GenBank. Our analyses indicated population structure between both inner and outer estuary dolphin populations as well as with distinct populations of T. truncatus using mtDNA CR. Moreover, the inner estuary bottlenose dolphin (estuarine bottlenose dolphin) population exhibited lower levels of genetic diversity than the outer estuary dolphin population according to the mtDNA CR. Finally, the estuarine bottlenose dolphin population was genetically distinct from other T. truncatus populations based on mtDNA CR and 7-mtDNA regions. From these results, we suggest that the estuarine bottlenose dolphin population should be considered a distinct lineage. This dolphin population faces a variety of anthropogenic threats in this area; thus, we highlight its fragility and urge authorities to issue prompt management and conservation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fernando Félix
- Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador.,Museo de Ballenas, Salinas, Ecuador
| | - Rommel Montufar
- Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
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