Journal
CONSERVATION GENETICS
Volume 19, Issue 3, Pages 637-654Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s10592-017-1043-6
Keywords
Tursiops australis; Conservation genetics; Phylogeography; Management units; Gene flow; Cetacean
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Funding
- Australian Research Council [DP110101275, FT130101068]
- Flinders University
- Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR)
- ANZ
- Equity Trustees (Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment)
- Nature Foundation of South Australia
- Field Naturalists Society of South Australia
- Biological Society of South Australia
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Little is known about the population ecology of the recently described bottlenose dolphin species Tursiops australis. The classification of this species is still under debate, but this putative species is thought to be comprised of small and genetically distinct populations (including sub-populations under increasing anthropogenic threats) and is likely endemic to coastal southern Australia. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences and microsatellite loci were used to assess genetic variation and hierarchical population structure of coastal T. cf. australis across a range of spatial scales and environmental discontinuities between southern Western Australia (WA) and central South Australia (SA). Overall, genetic diversity was similar to that typically found for bottlenose dolphins, although very low mtDNA diversity was found in Gulf St. Vincent (GSV) dolphins. We found historical genetic subdivision and likely differences in colonisation between GSV and Spencer Gulf, outer- and inner-gulf locations, and SA/WA and previously identified Victorian/Tasmanian populations. A hierarchical metapopulation structure was revealed along southern Australia, with at least six genetic populations occurring between Esperance, WA and southern Tasmania. In addition, fine-scale genetic subdivision was observed within each SA/WA population. In general, contemporary migration was limited throughout southern Australia, but an important gene flow pathway was identified eastward along the Great Australian Bight. Management strategies that promote gene flow among populations should be implemented to assist with the maintenance of the inferred metapopulation structure. Further research into the population ecology of this species is needed to facilitate well-informed management decisions.
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