Reproductive Success and Conservation Genetics of Humpback Whales in the North Pacific
EPA Grant Number: U915571Title: Reproductive Success and Conservation Genetics of Humpback Whales in the North Pacific
Investigators: Cerchio, Salvatore
Institution: University of Michigan
EPA Project Officer: Manty, Dale
Project Period: August 1, 1999 through August 1, 2002
Project Amount: $98,148
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (1999)
Research Category: Biology/Life Sciences , Fellowship - Zoology , Academic Fellowships
Description:
Objective:In this research project, genetic markers will be used to assess the distribution of male reproductive success (RS), estimate the effective population size, and evaluate the genetic structure and diversity of a relatively small, isolated population of humpback whales that breeds around the Islas Revillagigedos, off the Pacific Coast of Mexico.
Approach:Small skin samples will be collected from individual whales using a standard biopsy dart that does no harm to the animal. Different individuals (from a population estimated at 1000) will be biopsied over the course of four field seasons (1997-2000), including mother-calf pairs and males (candidate fathers). DNA will be extracted from each sample and all individuals will be genotyped for 8 to 10 microsatellite loci, providing a unique genetic "fingerprint" similar to that used in forensic analyses. Comparison of mother and calf genotypes with all candidate male genotypes will reveal putative fathers, from which a distribution of male RS will be constructed.
Expected Results:The DNA sampling will provide information about the genetic structure and diversity of the humpback whales.
Supplemental Keywords:humpback whale, baleen whale, mysticete, cetacean, mating system, paternity, male reproductive success, mate choice, polygyny, effective population size, microsatellite, multi-locus genotype, Mexico, Eastern Tropical Pacific,
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Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, RFA, wildlife, Zoology, Genetics, demographic data, conservation genetics, reproduction studies, Humpback whale, gentic testing, genetic markers, bioassays