Dear All,
Apologies for cross posting.
We would like to inform you that the new paper on “Population genetic structure of the bottlenose dolphin in the Turkish waters based on mtDNA sequences with implications for the Black Sea subspecies Tursiops truncatus ponticus” has been published in the Mitochondrial DNA Part A.
Tonay, A.M., Uzun, B., Dede, A., Danyer E., Danyer Aytemiz, I., Amaha Öztürk A., Archer, F.I., Öztürk, B., Bilgin, R. 2024. Population genetic structure of the bottlenose dolphin in the Turkish waters based on mtDNA sequences with implications for the Black Sea subspecies Tursiops truncatus ponticus. Mitochondrial DNA Part A. https://doi.org/10.1080/24701394.2024.2427216
You can view the article at:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24701394.2024.2427216
Abstract
The bottlenose dolphin is a widely distributed species found in temperate waters, including the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The Black Sea population is recognized as a distinct subspecies, Tursiops truncatus ponticus, due to genetic and morphological differences. This study analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences of 73 bottlenose dolphin samples collected between 1999 and 2016 along the Turkish Black Sea coast, Turkish Straits System (TSS ), Aegean, and Mediterranean Seas revealing 14 haplotypes, eight of which are reported here for the first time.
The haplotype network shows two main nodes with star-like sub-networks, but no apparent geographic pattern. The lack of geographical groupings of haplotypes indicates the high mobility of the species within the sampled area. The northern Black Sea bottlenose dolphins (NBS) appear to be genetically differentiated from those in the southwestern Black Sea (SBS), Mediterranean, and Atlantic Ocean, but not from the TSS and Aegean Sea populations. Besides, SBS bottlenose dolphins were differentiated only from those in the western Mediterranean (WM) and the Atlantic. Therefore, NBS and SBS bottlenose dolphins should at least be categorized as different populations. However, contrary to some previous studies there was no evidence supporting the classification of Black Sea bottlenose dolphins as a separate subspecies.
The TSS differs only from the Atlantic and the Aegean, and functions like a migratory ‘melting pot’ for surrounding populations. Despite the largest sample size, NBS bottlenose dolphins exhibited the lowest haplotype and nucleotide diversity. This low genetic diversity and potential isolation from adjacent populations highlight the need for prioritizing the conservation of NBS bottlenose dolphins.
Pdf request can be sent to atonay@istanbul.edu.tr
Regards
Arda
Arda M. TONAY Ph.D
Faculty of Aquatic Sciences, Istanbul University
Marine Biology Dep.
Kalenderhane Mah. Onaltı Mart Şehitleri Cad. No: 2
Fatih 34134 İstanbul, Türkiye
Tel: +90 212 440 0000/20159 Fax: +90 212 440 0232
atonay@istanbul.edu.tr http://subilimleri.istanbul.edu.tr/
Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV)
P.O. Box 10 Beykoz, 34820 İstanbul, Türkiye
Tel: +90 216 424 0772 Fax: +90 216 424 0771