Dataset Information

Genetic isolation of a now extinct population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

ABSTRACT: A number of dolphin species, though highly mobile, show genetic structure among parapatric and sometimes sympatric populations. However, little is known about the temporal patterns of population structure for these species. Here, we apply Bayesian inference and data from ancient DNA to assess the structure and dynamics of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) populations in the coastal waters of the UK. We show that regional population structure in UK waters is consistent with earlier studies suggesting local habitat dependence for this species in the Mediterranean Sea and North Atlantic. One genetically differentiated UK population went extinct at least 100 years ago and has not been replaced. The data indicate that this was a local extinction, and not a case of historical range shift or contraction. One possible interpretation is a declining metapopulation and conservation need for this species in the UK.

SUBMITTER: Nichols C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2169274 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Genetic isolation of a now extinct population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

Nichols Courtney C Herman Jerry J Gaggiotti Oscar E OE Dobney Keith M KM Parsons Kim K Hoelzel A Rus AR

Proceedings. Biological sciences 20070701 1618

A number of dolphin species, though highly mobile, show genetic structure among parapatric and sometimes sympatric populations. However, little is known about the temporal patterns of population structure for these species. Here, we apply Bayesian inference and data from ancient DNA to assess the structure and dynamics of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) populations in the coastal waters of the UK. We show that regional population structure in UK waters is consistent with earlier studies ...[more]

PMID: 17456457

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Project description:As apex predators, cetaceans are recognized as sentinels for the health of marine ecosystems. The ability to identify the impacts of anthropogenic contamination on the health of a species requires long term monitoring to establish baseline health parameters. This makes health measurements that can be sampled from free ranging animals highly desirable. In the current study, we investigate the utility of skin gene expression profiling to monitor the physiological, health, and contaminant exposure status in bottlenose dolphins. Remote integument biopsies were obtained from bottlenose dolphins at three locations in the northern Gulf of Mexico prior to oil exposure (May 2010) and during summer and winter of the two years (2010-2011) following their exposure to oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. A bottlenose dolphin-specific oligonucleotide microarray was used to characterize the skin transcriptomes of 94 individuals from three genetically distinguishable populations in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, Chandeleur Sound, Louisiana, and Mississippi Sound, Mississippi. Location did not significantly affect the transcriptome patterns of the dolphins included in the study. In contrast, season had a profound effect on gene expression, with nearly one-third of all genes on the array differing significantly in expression between winter and the warmer seasons (p<0.01, fold-change >1.5). Gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed that processes related to cell proliferation, motility and differentiation dominated the seasonal differences in expression, which likely reflects the differences in ambient temperature to which the skin is exposed, and possibly changes in blood flow. More subtle differences were seen between spring and summer transcriptomes (1.5% differentially expressed), with two presumed oil-exposed animals presenting gene expression profiles more similar to the summer (exposed) animals than the other spring animals. Xenobiotic pathway components also showed some seasonal trends, which may reflect crosstalk between xenobiotic pathways and those regulating corticoids, hormones, and cytokines. Seasonal effects have not previously been considered in studies assessing gene expression in cetaceans, but clearly must be taken into account when applying transcriptomic analyses to investigate their exposure or health status.

Dataset Information

Genetic isolation of a now extinct population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

Publications

Genetic isolation of a now extinct population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

Similar Datasets

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