Dear Marmamers,
We are pleased to share our new article, open access at
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.201794
Kin relationships in cultural species of the marine realm: case study of
a matrilineal social group of sperm whales off Mauritius island, Indian
Ocean
By Francois Sarano, Justine Girardet, Véronique Sarano, Hugues Vitry,
Axel Preud'homme, René Heuzey, Ana M. Garcia-Cegarra, Bénédicte Madon,
Fabienne Delfour, Hervé Glotin, Olivier Adam and Jean-Luc Jung
Abstract. Understanding the organization and dynamics of social groups
of marine mammals through the study of kin relationships is particularly
challenging*.*Here, we studied a stable social group of sperm whales off
Mauritius, using underwater observations, individual-specific
identification, non-invasive sampling and genetic analyses based on
mitochondrial sequencing and microsatellite profiling. Twenty-four sperm
whales were sampled between 2017 and 2019. All individuals except one
adult female shared the same mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotype—one
that is rare in the western Indian Ocean—thus confirming with near
certainty the matrilineality of the group. All probable first- and
second-degree kin relationships were depicted in the sperm whale social
group: 13 first-degree and 27 second-degree relationships were
identified. Notably, we highlight the likely case of an unrelated female
having been integrated into a social unit, in that she presented a
distinct mtDNA haplotype and no close relationships with any members of
the group. Investigating the possible matrilineality of sperm whale
cultural units (i.e. vocal clans) is the next step in our research
programme to elucidate and better apprehend the complex organization of
sperm whale social groups.
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*Jean-Luc Jung*
Maitre de Conférences
Université de Brest, UFR Sciences et Techniques http://www.univ-brest.fr
6 avenue le Gorgeu, 29200 Brest, France
Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité UMR7205 (ISYEB)
Equipe Homologies http://isyeb.mnhn.fr/fr/homologies-419
Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle
Station Marine de Concarneau http://concarneau.mnhn.fr
E-mail : [email protected]
http://www.univ-brest.fr/menu/recherche-innovation/pages-chercheurs/JUNG-Jean-luc
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