Galapagos and Californian sea lions are separate species: Genetic analysis of the genus Zalophus and its implications for conservation management.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Accurate formal taxonomic designations are thought to be of critical importance for the conservation of endangered taxa. The Galápagos sea lion (GSL), being appreciated as a key element of the Galápagos marine ecosystem, has lately been listed as 'vulnerable' by the IUCN. To date there is, however, hardly any scientific evidence, whether it constitutes a separate entity from its abundant Californian neighbour (CSL). In this paper, we delineate the taxonomic relationships within the genus Zalophus being comprised of the Galápagos sea lion, the Californian sea lion and the already extinct Japanese sea lion (JSL).

Results

Using a set of different phylogenetic reconstruction approaches, we find support for monophyly of all three taxa without evidence of reticulation e

SUBMITTER: Wolf JB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2072946 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature