Dear MARMAM community:
My co-authors and I are happy to announce the online publication of the following paper: Llamas-González, M., C.D. Ortega-Ortiz, L.M. Enríquez-Paredes, U.A. González-Peral, E. Bautista Guerrero, K.K. Martien. 2023. Genetic data reveals wintering ground affiliation of humpback whales from the Mexican Central Pacific. Marine Mammal Science. DOI: 10.1111/mms.13053 <http://doi.org/10.1111/mms.13053> *Abstract*: Two groups of humpback whales inhabit the waters off the Pacific coast of Mexico - the coastal wintering aggregation in the north (MX), and the southern Mexico/Central America wintering aggregation (S-MX/CEA) in the south. However, along the coast of the Mexican Central Pacific (MCP), the population affiliation of humpback whales is uncertain. Some studies have concluded that the MCP whales are part of S-MX/CEA, while others have suggested that the MCP may represent an overlap zone between the two wintering aggregations. In this study, data from 354 biopsy samples were collected over a 12-year sampling period, to provide genetic insight into the affiliation of MCP whales and to the boundaries between the wintering aggregations. Using mitochondrial control region sequences, we find that the majority (73%) of MCP whales are part of MX, but that the boundary between the two wintering aggregations may shift latitudinally depending on environmental conditions. The high haplotypic (h ± SD=0.859±0.0138) and nucleotide diversity (π ± SD=0.0145 ±0.0075) of the MCP whales are also consistent with our sample including animals from both wintering aggregations. More research is needed to better describe the ranges of the MX and S-MX/CEA wintering aggregations to ensure their successful conservation and management. If you have trouble accessing the PDF (available at http://doi.org/10.1111/mms.13053), please contact Myriam Llamas-González ( myriam_lla...@ucol.mx), Christian Orega-Ortiz (christian_ort...@ucol.mx), or Karen Martien (karen.mart...@noaa.gov). -- Karen K. Martien, Ph.D. (she/her <https://www.mypronouns.org/what-and-why>) Southwest Fisheries Science Center 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr. La Jolla, CA 92037, USA 858-546-7058 karen.mart...@noaa.gov http://swfsc.noaa.gov/mmtd-mmgenetics *I sometimes work irregular hours, but I respect your work schedule and do not expect an action or reply outside of your working hours.*
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