Assessment of mitochondrial DNA structuring and nursery use in the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis)

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 1217-1222 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Malik ◽  
M W Brown ◽  
S D Kraus ◽  
A R Knowlton ◽  
P K Hamilton ◽  
...  

The North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) inhabits five areas along the east coast of North America at different times of the year. During 17 years of field observations, it has been found that only 59% of the newborn calves are brought to the Bay of Fundy nursery area. To examine whether this is because of population structuring, the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region haplotypes were determined for 269 individuals. Seven polymorphic sites were found to define five haplotypes. Calves were divided into two groups based on whether or not they were brought to the Bay of Fundy nursery. Significant genetic structuring of mitochondrial haplotypes was found between these groups (p = 0.002). Mothers that have had more than three calves demonstrated significant fidelity (p = 0.005) to the Bay of Fundy, suggesting that philopatry is the basis for the genetic structuring. Although this study clearly identifies the existence of two subpopulations and an alternative nursery area(s), the location(s) of the alternative area(s) is unclear and remains an important issue for the conservation of the species.

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 1217-1222 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Malik ◽  
M.W. Brown ◽  
S.D. Kraus ◽  
A.R. Knowlton ◽  
P.K. Hamilton ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 667-685 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Plourde ◽  
C Lehoux ◽  
C L Johnson ◽  
G Perrin ◽  
V Lesage

Abstract This study aimed at identifying potentially suitable foraging habitats for the North Atlantic right whale (NARW; Eubalaena glacialis) in the Gulf of St Lawrence (GSL), on the Scotian Shelf (SS) and in the Bay of Fundy (BoF), Canada, based on the distribution densities of their main prey, Calanus copepod species. More than 4800 historical Calanus spp. water column integrated samples as well as 221 vertically stratified sampling stations were used to create a 3D (latitude, longitude and vertical) climatology of Calanus spp. biomass densities for spring and summer–fall when NARW are feeding in Canadian waters. We then combined this 3D preyscape with bio-energetic considerations to highlight potentially suitable NARW foraging habitats in the region. Our 3D climatological approach successfully identified the known feeding areas of Grand Manan (BoF) and Roseway Basin (western SS), confirming its validity. Expanding our analyses to the GSL and other parts of the SS, we identified in both regions areas previously unknown where Calanus spp. biomass densities exceeded minimum levels suitable for foraging NARW. Our results represent a key contribution to the identification of important foraging areas for NARW in Canadian waters, especially in the context of climate change and the documented shift in NARW distribution.


2006 ◽  
Vol 148 (2) ◽  
pp. 260-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen E. Hunt ◽  
Rosalind M. Rolland ◽  
Scott D. Kraus ◽  
Samuel K. Wasser

2010 ◽  
Vol 398 ◽  
pp. 287-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
LF Leandro ◽  
RM Rolland ◽  
PB Roth ◽  
N Lundholm ◽  
Z Wang ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document