Dear All,
We are very pleased to announce the publication of this paper that might be of
interest to some of you:
Thompson, K.F., Millar, C.D., Baker, C.S., Dalebout, M., Steel, D., van Helden,
A.L. & Constantine, R.. 2013. A novel conservation approach provides insights
into the management of rare cetaceans. Biological Conservation 157: 331-340.
The abstract follows below and a pdf is available on request.
Best regards,
Kirsten Thompson
AbstractThe conservation of rare or cryptic species in inaccessible habitats
represents a particular challenge to biologists. Since 1991, a collaborative
research program involving members of the public, indigenous communities, the
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (NMNZ) and the Department of
Conservation has provided tissue samples for genetic analysis of stranded, or
beach-cast cetaceans. The New Zealand Cetacean Tissue Archive (NZCeTA),
initiated and maintained by the University of Auckland, is now one of the
largest archives of its kind in the world, with tissue samples or extracted DNA
from 1982 individuals. Species identity has been confirmed by DNA barcoding,
using mtDNA control region sequences for 65% of the samples representing 35
species, 11 of which are from the poorly known beaked whale family, Ziphiidae.
Although these animals regularly strand around the coastline of New Zealand
there are no known areas at sea where they can be
reliably found and very few reported live sightings. Samples collected from
strandings of three species: Gray’s (Mesoplodon grayi); straptoothed
(Mesoplodon layardii) and Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris),
represent 83% (n = 225) of all ziphiids in the NZCeTA (n = 272). As an example
of the archives utility, we used the spatial and temporal distribution of these
records to provide new evidence for key habitat of these cryptic species and
for seasonal and sex-biased patterns of stranding mortality. As beaked whales
are known to be threatened by anthropogenic activity in other parts of the
world, these records provide a critical baseline for understanding the future
impacts of planned development in New Zealand’s near and offshore waters.
Molecular Genetics and Development Group | School of Biological Sciences
The University of Auckland | Private Bag 92019
Auckland Mail Centre | Auckland 1142 | New Zealand
Tel. +64 277470458
Skype: kirsten.thompson1
Email: [email protected]
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