Ocean-wide genomic variation in Gray's beaked whales, Mesoplodon grayi.

ABSTRACT: The deep oceans of the Southern Hemisphere are home to several elusive and poorly studied marine megafauna. In the absence of robust observational data for these species, genetic data can aid inferences on population connectivity, demography and ecology. A previous investigation of genetic diversity and population structure in Gray's beaked whale (Mesoplodon grayi) from Western Australia and New Zealand found high levels of mtDNA diversity, no geographic structure and stable demographic history. To further investigate phylogeographic and demographic patterns across their range, we generated complete mitochondrial and partial nuclear genomes of 16 of the individuals previously analysed and included additional samples from South Africa (n = 2) and South Australia (n = 4)

SUBMITTER: Westbury MV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8074979 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature