Molecular identification of the first Galapagos fur seal (Arctocephalus galapagoensis) reported on the central coast of Oaxaca

Several sightings of different pinniped species have been recorded outside their typical areas of distribution. In May 2019, pinniped yearlings were sighted on 4 occasions on the central coast of Oaxaca, Mexico. One of them was found injured in La Escobilla (Oaxaca, Mexico) and was transported immediately to the Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga for rehabilitation. Visual identification of the species was inconclusive, as young individuals of several fur seal species can be very similar. A molecular analysis was thus performed to confirm the species. DNA was extracted from the individual, and a fragment of the mitochondrial DNA control region was sequenced and aligned with several sequences of other fur seal species. A parsimony analysis was performed, and the tree revealed that the individual was a Galapagos fur seal, Arctocephalus galapagoensis. This is the first record of this species on the central coast of Oaxaca. The atypical presence of this species in the country could be related to high sea surface temperatures associated with events such as El Niño.

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First Record of a Novel Mitochondrial DNA Haplotype of a Marble Trout Lineage of Salmo Trutta in Turkey

Genetics of Aquatic Organisms ◽

10.4194/ga452 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fevzi Bardakci ◽

Nazan Acar ◽

Tulin Arslan ◽

Riadh Badraoui

Keyword(s):

Mitochondrial Dna ◽

Salmo Trutta ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Aegean Sea ◽

First Record ◽

Unique Haplotype ◽

Marble Trout ◽

Mitochondrial Dna Control Region ◽

Mitochondrial Dna Haplotype

A new record of a marble trout mtDNA haplotype known to be restricted to Adriatic basin (called marmoratus lineage within Salmo trutta complex) has been reported from Eşen Stream in the Aegean Sea basin of southeastern Turkey, based on sequence data of the mitochondrial DNA control region. The results of this study showed a single unique haplotype from this population, called MATR1. Phylogenetic analyses of this haplotype along with other haplotypes belonging to different mitochondrial DNA lineages of the S. trutta complex confirmed the existence of the marmoratus lineage in Turkey, suggesting a possible river capture between the Adriatic and Aegean Sea basins until the last (Würmian) marine regression.

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Australian fur seals establish haulout sites and a breeding colony in South Australia

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo10017 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 58 (2) ◽

pp. 94 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Peter D. Shaughnessy ◽

Jane McKenzie ◽

Melanie L. Lancaster ◽

Simon D. Goldsworthy ◽

Terry E. Dennis

Keyword(s):

Mitochondrial Dna ◽

New Zealand ◽

South Australia ◽

Breeding Colony ◽

Mitochondrial Dna Control Region ◽

Sea Lions ◽

Neophoca Cinerea ◽

Fur Seals ◽

Fur Seal ◽

New Zealand Fur Seal

Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) breed on Bass Strait islands in Victoria and Tasmania. They have been recorded in South Australia (SA) for many years as non-breeding visitors and on Kangaroo Island frequently since 1988, mostly in breeding colonies of the New Zealand fur seal (A. forsteri) which is the most numerous pinniped in SA. Australian fur seals have displaced New Zealand fur seals from sections of the Cape Gantheaume colony on Kangaroo Island. North Casuarina Island produced 29 Australian fur seal pups in February 2008. Australian fur seal pups were larger than New Zealand fur seal pups in the same colony and have been identified genetically using a 263-bp fragment of the mitochondrial DNA control region. North Casuarina Island has been an important breeding colony of New Zealand fur seals, but pup numbers there decreased since 1992–93 (contrary to trends in SA for New Zealand fur seals), while numbers of Australian fur seals there have increased. This study confirms that Australian fur seals breed in SA. The two fur seal species compete for space onshore at several sites. Australian fur seals may compete for food with endangered Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) because both are bottom feeders.

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New host and geographical records for Parafilaroides normani (Nematoda: Filaroididae) Dailey, 2009 in South American fur seal, Arctocephalus australis, from southern Brazil

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x20000826 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 94 ◽

Author(s):

J. Echenique ◽

E. Pereira ◽

J. Prado ◽

A.L. Schild ◽

A.L. Valente

Keyword(s):

Additional Data ◽

First Record ◽

Common Finding ◽

South American ◽

Southern Coast ◽

New Host ◽

Biogeographical Distribution ◽

Fur Seals ◽

Fur Seal ◽

Pinniped Species

Abstract Lungworms are a common finding in seals and fur seals around the world. However, from existing records, the biogeographical distribution of filaroid helminths appears to be restricted, and these parasites are endemic in only certain areas and species, mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. The occurrence of infection in pinniped species in the Southern Hemisphere is scarce. The objective of this work is to verify the prevalence of lungworms in Arctocephalus australis in waters off the southern coast of Brazil. Twenty subadult specimens of A. australis found recently dead on the southern coast of Brazil were necropsied and their lungs were examined. Parasitic cysts were found in only one specimen (prevalence of 5%). The helminths were morphologically identified as Parafilaroides normani (Metastrongyloidea: Filaroididae). This helminth species has been reported in pinnipeds from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. This is the first record of P. normani in A. australis and for the western South Atlantic, providing additional data regarding the biogeographic distribution of the parasite.

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First record of a rare beaked whale Mesoplodon hotaula in the Philippines

Marine Biodiversity Records ◽

10.1017/s1755267215000457 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Joanne Krisha M. Lacsamana ◽

Minerva Fatimae H. Ventolero ◽

Darrell Blatchley ◽

Mudjekeewis D. Santos

Keyword(s):

Mitochondrial Dna ◽

Cytochrome B ◽

Control Region ◽

First Record ◽

The Philippines ◽

Beaked Whale ◽

Mitochondrial Dna Control Region ◽

The Family ◽

The World ◽

Beaked Whales

Beaked whales of the Family Ziphiidae are the least known of all cetacean families. Here, using mitochondrial DNA Control Region and Cytochrome B, and supported by morphological comparisons of skull and teeth, we identified a 4.6 m female beaked whale, stranded in Maco, Compostela Valley, Philippines on December 19 2012, as the Deranayigala's beaked whale,Mesoplodon hotaula. This is the first record ofM. hotaulain the Philippines and only the eighth specimen in the world.

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