Nuclear markers confirm taxonomic status and relationships among highly endangered and closely related right whale species

Gaines, Carl Amos; Hare, Matthew P.; Beck, Suzanne E.; Rosenbaum, Howard C.

doi:10.1098/rspb.2004.2895

Cited by 73 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 96 publications

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“…However, in animals, too, the use of multiple nuclear markers as well as mitochondrial markers now is routine as demonstrated by recent studies of Drosophila (Ballard et al 2002;Kopp and Barmina 2005) and Hemiptera (Abe et al 2005), which show that nuclear and mitochondrial genes may support conflicting results. Nor is the use of PSR-GSC restricted to small animals, for example, a recent study of right whales found cryptic species, and in this case nuclear and mitochondrial genes were in agreement (Gaines et al 2005).…”

Section: Cryptic Speciesmentioning

confidence: 96%

Cryptic Speciation in the Cosmopolitan and Clonal Human Pathogenic Fungus Aspergillus Fumigatus

et al. 2005

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Abstract. Microbes and other organisms smaller than one to a few millimeters in size are hypothesized to have global populations, in contrast to the geographically restricted ranges of larger organisms. However, fungi, which routinely have reproductive propagules no larger than 10 micrometers, challenge the generality of this hypothesis because recent studies have shown that globally distributed morphological species embrace two or more geographically restricted phylogenetic species. We used the concordance of gene genealogies to recognize phylogenetic species in the globally distributed opportunistic human pathogenic fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus. Based on DNA sequence data of five loci for each of 63 individuals collected from five continents, we have delineated two phylogenetic species in this single morphological species. Unlike all other fungi examined to date, both genetically isolated groups showed a global distribution with no evidence of a correlation between genotype and geographic location. Sexual reproduction has never been observed in A. fumigatus, but when the same data were used to explore the association of alleles at the five loci for one of the phylogenetic species, evidence was found to support recombination. The discovery of a cryptic species is medically relevant because different species are likely to differ in virulence or drug resistance. The discovery of a globally distributed A. fumigatus species clade highlights the need for ecological studies of the fungus to either document global dispersal or propose alternative mechanisms by which it persists as single, global phylogenetic population.

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Section: Cryptic Speciesmentioning

confidence: 96%

Cryptic Speciation in the Cosmopolitan and Clonal Human Pathogenic Fungus Aspergillus Fumigatus

et al. 2005

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“…Southern right whales are here considered as a distinct species, Eubalaena australis, following Rosenbaum et al (2000) and Gaines et al (2005).…”

Section: Taxonomymentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure of the integument of southern right whales, Eubalaena australis

Reeb

Best

Kidson

2007

The Anatomical Record

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Skin (integument) anatomy reflects adaptations to particular environments. It is hypothesized that cetacean (whale) integument will show unique anatomical adaptations to an aquatic environment, particularly regarding differences in temperature, density, and pressure. In this study, the gross and histological structure of the southern right whale integument is described and compared with terrestrial mammals and previous descriptions of mysticete (baleen whale) and odontocete (toothed whale) species. Samples were taken of the integument of 98 free-swimming southern right whales, Eubalaena australis, and examined by both light and electron microscopy. Results show that three epidermal layers are present, with the stratum corneum being parakeratotic in nature. As in bowhead whales, southern right whales possess an acanthotic epidermis and a notably thick hypodermis, with epidermal rods and extensive papillomatosis. However, unlike bowhead whales, southern right whales possess an uninterrupted hypodermal layer. Surprisingly, the integument of balaenids (right and bowhead mysticetes) in general is more like that of odontocetes than that of the more closely related balaenopterids (rorqual mysticetes). Similarities to odontocetes were found specifically in the collagen fibers in a fat-free zone of the reticular dermal layer and the elastic fibers in the dermal and hypodermal layers. Callosities, a distinctive feature of this genus, have a slightly thicker stratum corneum and are usually associated with hairs that have innervated and vascularized follicles. These hairs may function as vibrissae, thus aiding in aquatic foraging by allowing rapid detection of changes in prey density. Although the thick insulatory integument makes right whales bulky and slow-moving, it is an adaptation for living in cold water. Epidermal thickness, presence of epidermal rods, and callosities may act as barriers against mechanical injury from bodily contact with conspecifics or hard surfaces in the environment (e.g., rocks, ice). Anat Rec, 290:596-613, 2007. 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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“…Analysis of genetic markers from both mitochondrial (Rosenbaum et al 2000) and nuclear DNA (Gaines et al 2005) indicate that right whales of the North Atlantic and of the Southern Hemisphere are 2 distinct species, Eubalaena glacialis and E. australis respectively. Genetic factors controlling fat storage and/or utilization may affect the observed difference in blubber thickness between the 2 species.…”

Section: North Atlantic Vs South African Right Whale Blubber Thicknessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blubber thickness in right whales Eubalaena glacialis and Eubalaena australis related with reproduction, life history status and prey abundance

Miller¹,

Reeb²,

Best³

et al. 2011

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

116

190

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The high variability in reproductive performance of North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis compared to southern right whales Eubalaena australis may reflect differences in lipid reserves. Amplitude-mode ultrasound was used to measure the thickness of right whale integument (epidermis and blubber, herein referred to as blubber thickness) in E. glacialis in the Bay of Fundy, Canada for 5 summer seasons and in E. australis off the South African coast for 2 austral winter seasons. E. glacialis had significantly thinner blubber layers (mean ±1 SD = 12.23 ± 2.16 cm, n = 172) than E. australis (16.13 ± 3.88 cm, n = 117), suggesting differing levels of nutrition between the 2 species. Blubber was thickest in females measured 3 to 6 mo prior to the start of pregnancy (E. glacialis), thinner during lactation (E. glacialis, E. australis) and then thicker with time after weaning (E. glacialis). These results suggest that lipids in blubber are used as energetic support for reproduction in female right whales. Blubber thickness increased in calves during suckling (E. glacialis, E. australis) but subsequently decreased after weaning (E. glacialis). Juvenile and adult male E. glacialis blubber thicknesses were compared between years of differing prey Calanus finmarchicus abundances (data from Pershing et al. 2005; ICES J Mar Sci 62:1511-1523; during a year of low prey abundance whales had significantly thinner blubber than during years of greater prey abundance. Taken together, these results suggest that blubber thickness is indicative of right whale energy balance and that the marked fluctuations in North Atlantic right whale reproduction have a nutritional component.

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Nuclear markers confirm taxonomic status and relationships among highly endangered and closely related right whale species

Cited by 73 publications

References 96 publications

Cryptic Speciation in the Cosmopolitan and Clonal Human Pathogenic Fungus Aspergillus Fumigatus

Cryptic Speciation in the Cosmopolitan and Clonal Human Pathogenic Fungus Aspergillus Fumigatus

Structure of the integument of southern right whales, Eubalaena australis

Blubber thickness in right whales Eubalaena glacialis and Eubalaena australis related with reproduction, life history status and prey abundance

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