Genetic structure and historical dynamics of franciscana dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, populations: Implications for the conservation of a vulnerable species.

NEGRI, M.F.; CAPPOZZO, H.L.; TUNEZ, JUAN I.

NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH

RSNZ PUBLISHING

Lugar: Auckland; Año: 2015

0028-8330

The franciscana dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, is endemic in the coastal waters of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean and the most endangered dolphin in the area. Four Franciscana Management Areas (FMAs) are currently recognized; however, results of genetic studies suggest the existence of additional FMAs and highlight the need for more detailed studies in the southern extreme of the species distribution. Comparing new and previously published control region sequences, we analyzed the population structure and the historical population dynamics of the species along most of its distribution. Our results suggest that: (1) the southern Buenos Aires population is genetically different from other populations studied and should be managed separately, (2) the pattern of genetic differentiation between populations is consistent with an isolation by distance model, and (3) the population located in the central zone of the current species distribution appears to be the oldest and the one from which the population expanded.