Insights into the genetic diversity of the leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx), inferred from mitochondrial DNa analysis, at Danco Coast, antarctic Peninsula Observaciones sobre la diversidad genética de la foca leopardo (Hydrurga leptonyx) a partir del análisis de aDN mitocondrial, en la costa de Danco, península antártica

HERNÁNDEZ-ARDILA, LAURA VALENTINA; BARRAGÁN-BARRERA, DALIA C.; NEGRETE, JAVIER; POLJAK, SEBASTIÁN; RIET-SAPRIZA, FEDERICO G.; CABALLERO, SUSANA

Boletin de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras

INVEMAR

Lugar: Santa Marta; Año: 2021 vol. 50 p. 227 - 238

0122-9761

The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) is a genetically low-studied species. In order to conduct the first genetic diversity assessment of this species in Danco Coast (Antarctic Peninsula), 423 bp of the mitochondrial DNA Control Region (mtDNA-CR) was sequenced from 13 blood samples collected in Primavera Base (62°15´S, 58°39´W) during the 2011-2012 austral summer. Our results showed high haplotype diversity (h = 0.99), with various divergent haplotypes. Our findings suggest that leopard seals in the Danco Coast could represent different phylogroups; however, including more genetic markers are needed to confirm this hypothesis.