Genetic diversity and structure of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) in Australian feeding aggregations

Attard, Catherine; Beheregaray, Luciano B.; Jenner, Curt; Gill, Peter C.; Jenner, Micheline; Morrice, Margaret G.; Bannister, John; LeDuc, Rick; Möller, Luciana M.

doi:10.1007/s10592-010-0121-9

Cited by 26 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…The lack of a clear population structure for the whole data set found in this study agrees with the lack of structure found in blue whales of the southern hemisphere [28]. It also agrees with the results on bioacoustic studies that suggest the presence of a single population in the Northeast Pacific, extending from Vancouver to the Dome of Costa Rica, and possibly beyond Ecuador [22], [23].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…The mean observed heterozygosity of blue whales in the GC (H O = 0.74) was similar to values reported for this species in the South Pacific (Ho = 0.72) and the Antarctic (Ho = 0.75) Oceans [27], and higher than those found in Australian aggregations (H O = 0.66 in Perth Canyon, Western Australia; Ho = 0.59 in Bonney Upwelling, Southern Australia) [28]. Despite the smaller estimated blue whale population size in the GC (n = 283, %CV = 48.4) [26], the observed diversity and the inbreeding coefficient (F IS close to zero) suggest a panmictic population.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…More recently, a low but significant divergent structure was found among the six feeding grounds in the Antarctic Ocean [18]. However, a larger sample size was used to analyze the Perth Canyon and Bonney Upwelling, two Australian feeding grounds, but no population structure was found [28].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fine-Scale Population Structure of Blue Whale Wintering Aggregations in the Gulf of California

et al. 2013

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Population differentiation in environments without well-defined geographical barriers represents a challenge for wildlife management. Based on a comprehensive database of individual sighting records (1988–2009) of blue whales from the winter/calving Gulf of California, we assessed the fine-scale genetic and spatial structure of the population using individual-based approaches. Skin samples of 187 individuals were analyzed for nine microsatellite loci. A single population with no divergence among years and months and no isolation by distance (Rxy = 0.1–0.001, p>0.05) were found. We ran two Bayesian clustering methods using Structure and Geneland softwares in two different ways: 1) a general analysis including all individuals in which a single cluster was identified with both softwares; 2) a specific analysis of females only in which two main clusters (Loreto Bay and northern areas, and San Jose-La Paz Bay area) were revealed by Geneland program. This study provides information indicating that blue whales wintering in the Gulf of California are part of a single population unit and showed a fine-scale structure among females, possibly associated with their high site fidelity, particularly when attending calves. It is likely that the loss of genetic variation is minimized by male mediated gene flow, which may reduce the genetic drift effect. Opportunities for kin selection may also influence calf survival and, in consequence, have a positive impact on population demography in this small and endangered population.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

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Fine-Scale Population Structure of Blue Whale Wintering Aggregations in the Gulf of California

et al. 2013

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“…The third population off Australia and Indonesia moves along the western and southern coasts of Australia in spring/summer [30], [31], before likely migrating to Indonesia in winter for breeding [3]. Recent genetic studies suggest that all pygmy blue whales seen around Australia are likely to belong to the same breeding stock [32]. Acoustic recordings also support longitudinal movements from east to west in the sub-Antarctic latitudes of the Indian Ocean [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal and Geographic Variation of Southern Blue Whale Subspecies in the Indian Ocean

et al. 2013

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Understanding the seasonal movements and distribution patterns of migratory species over ocean basin scales is vital for appropriate conservation and management measures. However, assessing populations over remote regions is challenging, particularly if they are rare. Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus spp) are an endangered species found in the Southern and Indian Oceans. Here two recognized subspecies of blue whales and, based on passive acoustic monitoring, four “acoustic populations” occur. Three of these are pygmy blue whale (B.m. brevicauda) populations while the fourth is the Antarctic blue whale (B.m. intermedia). Past whaling catches have dramatically reduced their numbers but recent acoustic recordings show that these oceans are still important habitat for blue whales. Presently little is known about the seasonal movements and degree of overlap of these four populations, particularly in the central Indian Ocean. We examined the geographic and seasonal occurrence of different blue whale acoustic populations using one year of passive acoustic recording from three sites located at different latitudes in the Indian Ocean. The vocalizations of the different blue whale subspecies and acoustic populations were recorded seasonally in different regions. For some call types and locations, there was spatial and temporal overlap, particularly between Antarctic and different pygmy blue whale acoustic populations. Except on the southernmost hydrophone, all three pygmy blue whale acoustic populations were found at different sites or during different seasons, which further suggests that these populations are generally geographically distinct. This unusual blue whale diversity in sub-Antarctic and sub-tropical waters indicates the importance of the area for blue whales in these former whaling grounds.

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“…Five individuals sampled off Australia had known resamples (Attard et al . ; only two were inter‐seasonal resamples) that were not included within the above sample size. Samples were preserved in either 20% DMSO saturated with NaCl or 70–100% ethanol.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hybridization ofSouthernHemisphere blue whale subspecies and a sympatric area offAntarctica: impacts of whaling or climate change?

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Beheregaray

Jenner³

et al. 2012

Molecular Ecology

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Understanding the degree of genetic exchange between subspecies and populations is vital for the appropriate management of endangered species. Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) have two recognized Southern Hemisphere subspecies that show differences in geographic distribution, morphology, vocalizations and genetics. During the austral summer feeding season, the Antarctic blue whale (B. m. intermedia) is found in polar waters and the pygmy blue whale (B. m. brevicauda) in temperate waters. Here, we genetically analyzed samples collected during the feeding season to report on several cases of hybridization between the two recognized blue whale Southern Hemisphere subspecies in a previously unconfirmed sympatric area off Antarctica. This means the pygmy blue whales using waters off Antarctica may migrate and then breed during the austral winter with the Antarctic subspecies. Alternatively, the subspecies may interbreed off Antarctica outside the expected austral winter breeding season. The genetically estimated recent migration rates from the pygmy to Antarctic subspecies were greater than estimates of evolutionary migration rates and previous estimates based on morphology of whaling catches. This discrepancy may be due to differences in the methods or an increase in the proportion of pygmy blue whales off Antarctica within the last four decades. Potential causes for the latter are whaling, anthropogenic climate change or a combination of these and may have led to hybridization between the subspecies. Our findings challenge the current knowledge about the breeding behaviour of the world's largest animal and provide key information that can be incorporated into management and conservation practices for this endangered species.

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Genetic diversity and structure of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) in Australian feeding aggregations

Cited by 26 publications

References 26 publications

Fine-Scale Population Structure of Blue Whale Wintering Aggregations in the Gulf of California

Fine-Scale Population Structure of Blue Whale Wintering Aggregations in the Gulf of California

Seasonal and Geographic Variation of Southern Blue Whale Subspecies in the Indian Ocean

Hybridization ofSouthernHemisphere blue whale subspecies and a sympatric area offAntarctica: impacts of whaling or climate change?

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