Does temporal and spatial segregation explain the complex population structure of humpback whales on the coast of West Africa?

Carvalho, Inês; Loo, Jacqueline; Collins, Tim; Barendse, Jaco; Pomilla, Cristina; Leslie, Matthew S.; Ngouessono, Solange; Best, Peter B.; Rosenbaum, Howard C.

doi:10.1007/s00227-013-2379-1

Cited by 21 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 92 publications

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“…Fine-scale temporal genetic substructure has been observed within BSB, consistent with the temporal segregation of migrating whales on the basis of age, sex, and reproductive status (Carvalho et al 2014). Such variation may influence the interpretation of the number of demographically distinct populations due to temporal sampling effects (Carvalho et al 2014). BSC is currently divided by the IWC into 4 substocks (BSC1−BSC4), although evidence of considerable migrant exchange between 3 of the substocks has emerged based on mtDNA control region and microsatellite data as well as satellite telemetry (Rosenbaum et al 2009, Ersts et al 2011, Fossette et al 2014, Kershaw et al 2017, suggesting relatively fluid exchange between the Mascarene region (BSC4), the Madagascar ridge (BSC3), and the Mozambique channel (BSC2).…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 67%

“…Genetic evidence supports the existence of 2 demographically discrete substocks (i.e. BSB1 and BSB2) off West Africa; however, an alternative hypothesis proposes that each substock represents 2 temporal ends of a single population widely distributed in space and time (Carvalho et al 2014, Rosenbaum et al 2014. Recent analyses of 9 nuclear microsatellite loci indicate that connectivity between BSB2 and BSC1 may also be greater than previously supposed (Kershaw et al 2017).…”

Section: Connectivity Between the South Atlantic And Southern Indian mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some subpopulations may represent multiple demographic populations (e.g. BSB2, BSC2, and BSE2), in some cases, for example, as a mixed-stock migratory corridor, and there are continuing efforts to appropriately define the boundaries of these populations on both breeding and feeding areas (Rosenbaum et al 2009, Carvalho et al 2014, Garland et al 2015. Failure to incorporate underlying genetic structure into population status assessments can result in significant biases through over-or under-representation of discrete population units in management goals.…”

Section: Conclusion and Management Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two substocks, BSB1, which breeds off Gabon, and BSB2, which seasonally feeds off and migrates past western South Africa (and which shows lower than expected direct connectivity with, and some genetic differentiation from, BSB1 based on the mtDNA control region and 10 microsatellites), are recognized (Rosenbaum et al 2009, Carvalho et al 2014, Kershaw et al 2017. Fine-scale temporal genetic substructure has been observed within BSB, consistent with the temporal segregation of migrating whales on the basis of age, sex, and reproductive status (Carvalho et al 2014). Such variation may influence the interpretation of the number of demographically distinct populations due to temporal sampling effects (Carvalho et al 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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First circumglobal assessment of Southern Hemisphere humpback whale mitochondrial genetic variation and implications for management

Rosenbaum¹,

Kershaw²,

Mendez³

et al. 2017

Endang. Species. Res.

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The description of genetic population structure over a species' geographic range can provide insights into its evolutionary history and also support effective management efforts. Assessments for globally distributed species are rare, however, requiring significant international coordination and collaboration. The global distribution of demographically discrete populations for the humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae is not fully known, hampering the definition of appropriate management units. Here, we present the first circumglobal assessment of mitochondrial genetic population structure across the species' range in the Southern Hemisphere and Arabian Sea. We combine new and existing data from the mitochondrial (mt)DNA control region that resulted in a 311 bp consensus sequence of the mtDNA control region for 3009 individuals sampled across 14 breeding stocks and subpopulations currently recognized by the International Whaling Commission. We assess genetic diversity and test for genetic differentiation and also estimate the magnitude and directionality of historic matrilineal gene flow between putative populations. Our results indicate that maternally directed site fidelity drives significant genetic population structure between breeding stocks within ocean basins. However, patterns of connectivity differ across the circumpolar range, possibly as a result of differences in the extent of longitudinal movements on feeding areas. The number of population comparisons observed to be significantly differentiated were found to diminish at the subpopulation scale when nucleotide differences were examined, indicating that more complex processes underlie genetic structure at this scale. It is crucial that these complexities and uncertainties are afforded greater consideration in management and regulatory efforts.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 67%

Section: Connectivity Between the South Atlantic And Southern Indian mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Conclusion and Management Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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First circumglobal assessment of Southern Hemisphere humpback whale mitochondrial genetic variation and implications for management

Rosenbaum¹,

Kershaw²,

Mendez³

et al. 2017

Endang. Species. Res.

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“…There were relatively few encounters from September to January during the expected southward migration period. This likely reflects the tendency of humpback whales from both BSB and BSC to migrate fairly directly, rather than coastwise, between their breeding grounds and sub-Antarctic feeding grounds (Fossette et al, 2014;Rosenbaum, Maxwell, Kershaw, & Mate, 2014), except for the small group that uses a more coastal route from tropical West Africa, which forms BSB2 (Carvalho et al, 2014;Elwen et al, 2014). Those that were encountered late in the year were mainly cows with calves, corresponding with the findings of Banks (2013) at Plettenberg Bay and Knysna for this period (460 km to the east of Kleinbaai).…”

Section: Seasonality and Distribution Of Cetacean Speciesmentioning

confidence: 98%

The Use of Data from a Platform of Opportunity (Whale Watching) to Study Coastal Cetaceans On the Southwest Coast of South Africa

Vinding¹,

Bester²,

Kirkman³

et al. 2015

Tourism in Marine Environments

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Effective conservation management requires information on wildlife abundance and distribution. Platforms of opportunity, including whale-watching vessels (WWV), can provide inexpensive and valuable information particularly in data deficient areas. This study analyzed over 5,500 cetacean encounters from more than 2,500 trips over 10 years by a WWV in the Western Cape, South Africa. Results were twofold: 1) providing spatial and temporal distribution patterns of the five main cetacean species for the area (southern right, humpback, and Bryde's whales, Indo-Pacific bottlenose and Indian Ocean humpback dolphins) and the first long-term, year-round data for this area; 2) showing that regularly recorded opportunistic encounters from a WWV constitute an important source of baseline information. Caveats and limitations of data from WWV are discussed and advice regarding data collection from platforms of opportunity is provided. Particularly, the lack of effort data and of clearly defined behavioral categories is emphasized and standardization of guidelines for data collection methods worldwide is suggested.

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Geospatial genetics: Integrating genetics into marine protection and spatial planning

Kershaw

McClintock

Andrews

et al. 2021

Aquatic Conservation

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The protection of evolutionary processes and maintenance of genetic diversity is necessary for the persistence of biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The importance of genetic diversity has been reflected in a range of marine policy mechanisms, and the genetic ‘toolbox’ has great potential to support marine protection and marine spatial planning (MSP) at multiple scales. Despite scientific advances in the application of genetics in marine protection and management, systematic integration of genetic information has been generally lacking, primarily due to a knowledge and communication disconnect between geneticists and the marine policy and management community. To meet these outstanding needs, a ‘geospatial genetics’ approach to spatially map species‐specific genetic data and associated information in a way that can be readily integrated by practitioners into marine protection and MSP decisions was developed. Techniques to derive geospatial genetic data layers, which can be viewed and mapped alongside other kinds of spatial data commonly used by conservation practitioners, hold promise for increasing the accessibility of genetic data to support policy decisions more fully. While applicable to many mobile and sessile taxa, an initial focus was placed on marine mammals, and the approach was developed and refined through a series of international meetings and published papers, as well as the development of interactive, expert‐reviewed case studies hosted on the MSP tool SeaSketch. Outcomes of the work to date are currently serving in the policy arena by informing the identification of Important Marine Mammal Areas, an initiative led by the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force to apply criteria to identify marine mammal habitats across the world's ocean, seas and relevant inland waters through a standardized process. It has become clear that geospatial genetics has great potential to foster increased collaboration among an intersectional community of geneticists, spatial ecologists, and practitioners. This increased opportunity for dialogue and cooperation will help ensure that evolutionary processes are factored into marine protection and MSP processes, and potentially for freshwater and terrestrial systems.

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Does temporal and spatial segregation explain the complex population structure of humpback whales on the coast of West Africa?

Cited by 21 publications

References 92 publications

First circumglobal assessment of Southern Hemisphere humpback whale mitochondrial genetic variation and implications for management

First circumglobal assessment of Southern Hemisphere humpback whale mitochondrial genetic variation and implications for management

The Use of Data from a Platform of Opportunity (Whale Watching) to Study Coastal Cetaceans On the Southwest Coast of South Africa

Geospatial genetics: Integrating genetics into marine protection and spatial planning

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