Population differentiation of the Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) in the western North Atlantic, including the Gulf of Mexico |
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| Authors: | Lara D Adams Patricia E Rosel |
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| Institution: | (1) Grice Marine Laboratory, College of Charleston, 205 Fort Johnson Rd., Charleston, SC 29412, USA;(2) National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 646 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70506, USA;(3) Present address: National Ocean Service, 219 Fort Johnson Rd., Charleston, SC 29412, USA |
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| Abstract: | Information about the genetic population structure of the Atlantic spotted dolphin Stenella frontalis (G. Cuvier 1829)] in the western North Atlantic would greatly improve conservation and management of this species in USA
waters. To this end, mitochondrial control region sequences and five nuclear microsatellite loci were used to test for genetic
differentiation of Atlantic spotted dolphins in the western North Atlantic, including the Gulf of Mexico (n=199). Skin tissue samples were collected from 1994–2000. Significant heterozygote deficiencies in three microsatellite loci
within samples collected off the eastern USA coast prompted investigation of a possible Wahlund effect, resulting in evidence
for previously unsuspected population subdivision in this region. In subsequent analyses including three putative populations,
two in the western North Atlantic (n=38, n=85) and one in the Gulf of Mexico (n=76), significant genetic differentiation was detected for both nuclear DNA (R
ST=0.096, P≤0.0001) and mitochondrial DNA (Φ
ST=0.215, P≤0.0001), as well as for all pair-wise population comparisons for both markers. This genetic evidence for population differentiation
coupled to known biogeographic transition zones at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, evidence
of female philopatry, and preliminary support for significant genetic differences between previously documented morphotypes
of Atlantic spotted dolphins in coastal and offshore waters all indicate that the biology and life history of this species
is more complex than previously assumed. Assumptions of large, panmictic populations might not be accurate in other areas
where S. frontalis is continuously distributed (e.g., eastern Atlantic), and could have a detrimental effect on long-term viability and maintenance
of genetic diversity in this species in regions where incidental human-induced mortality occurs.
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