Towards population-level conservation in the critically endangered Antarctic blue whale: the number and distribution of their populations.
Sci Rep
; 6: 22291, 2016 Mar 08.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26951747
ABSTRACT
Population-level conservation is required to prevent biodiversity loss within a species, but it first necessitates determining the number and distribution of populations. Many whale populations are still depleted due to 20th century whaling. Whales are one of the most logistically difficult and expensive animals to study because of their mobility, pelagic lifestyle and often remote habitat. We tackle the question of population structure in the Antarctic blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) - a critically endangered subspecies and the largest extant animal - by capitalizing on the largest genetic dataset to date for Antarctic blue whales. We found evidence of three populations that are sympatric in the Antarctic feeding grounds and likely occupy separate breeding grounds. Our study adds to knowledge of population structure in the Antarctic blue whale. Future research should invest in locating the breeding grounds and migratory routes of Antarctic blue whales through satellite telemetry to confirm their population structure and allow population-level conservation.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Demografía
/
Densidad de Población
/
Especies en Peligro de Extinción
/
Balaenoptera
Tipo de estudio:
Risk_factors_studies
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Sci Rep
Año:
2016
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Australia