Genetic diversity and population structure of the franciscana dolphin,Pontoporia blainvillei,in Southern Buenos Aires,Argentina |
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| Authors: | MF Negri HL Cappozzo |
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| Institution: | 1. Laboratorio de Ecología, Comportamiento y Mamíferos Marinos, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’ (MACN–CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina;2. Laboratorio de Ecología y Conservación de Vida Silvestre, Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC–CONICET), Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina;3. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y Diagnóstico (CEBBAD–CONICET), Fundación de Historia Natural Félix de Azara, Departamento de Ciencias Naturales y Antropología, Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires, Argentina |
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| Abstract: | The franciscana dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, is endemic to the coastal waters of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean and the most endangered dolphin in the area. Four Franciscana Management Areas (FMAs) are currently recognised; however, results of genetic studies suggest the requirement for additional FMAs and highlight the need for more detailed studies in the southern extreme of the species distribution. With this aim, we studied the genetic diversity and population structure of the species analysing an mtDNA control region fragment (434?bp) in 44 individuals collected in four sampling sites located in Southern Buenos Aires. Haplotype diversity (H?=?0.75?±?0.05) was mostly higher than the observed in endangered or near threatened odontocetes. Population structure analyses suggest that three different genetic populations should be recognised within FMA IV: Northern, Eastern and Southern Buenos Aires. Altogether, these results should be taken into account in future conservation plans for the species. |
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| Keywords: | conservation genetics control region FMA IV franciscana dolphin mtDNA southwestern Atlantic Ocean |
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