Hybrids between common and Antarctic minke whales are fertile and can back-cross.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Minke whales are separated into two genetically distinct species: the Antarctic minke whale found in the southern hemisphere, and the common minke whale which is cosmopolitan. The common minke whale is further divided into three allopatric sub-species found in the North Pacific, southern hemisphere, and the North Atlantic. Here, we aimed to identify the genetic ancestry of a pregnant female minke whale captured in the North Atlantic in 2010, and her fetus, using data from the mtDNA control region, 11 microsatellite loci and a sex determining marker.

Results

All statistical parameters demonstrated that the mother was a hybrid displaying maternal and paternal contribution from North Atlantic common and Antarctic minke whales respectively. Her female fetus displayed

SUBMITTER: Glover KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3637290 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature