title: Interspecific Hybridization in Pilot Whales and Asymmetric Genetic Introgression in Northern Globicephala melas under the Scenario of Global Warming.
abstract: Pilot whales are two cetacean species (Globicephala melas and G. macrorhynchus) whose distributions are correlated with water temperature and partially overlap in some areas like the North Atlantic Ocean. In the context of global warming, distribution range shifts are expected to occur in species affected by temperature. Consequently, a northward displacement of the tropical pilot whale G. macrorynchus is expected, eventually leading to increased secondary contact areas and opportunities for interspecific hybridization. Here, we describe genetic evidences of recurrent hybridization between pilot whales in northeast Atlantic Ocean. Based on mitochondrial DNA sequences and microsatellite loci, asymmetric introgression of G. macrorhynchus genes into G. melas was observed. For the latter species, a significant correlation was found between historical population growth rate estimates and paleotemperature oscillations. Introgressive hybridization, current temperature increases and lower genetic variation in G. melas suggest that this species could be at risk in its northern range. Under increasing environmental and human-mediated stressors in the North Atlantic Ocean, it seems recommendable to develop a conservation program for G. melas.
authors: Department of Functional Biology, University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Miralles
authors: 16 rue Henri Niautou, 98800, Noumea, New Caledonia.
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Oremus
authors: MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre and Centre of IMAR- Institute of Marine Research, University of the Azores, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal.|Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States of America.
authors: Mónica A
authors: MA
authors: Silva
authors: Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", Centre de Recherche Insulaire et Observatoire de l'Environnement (CRIOBE), USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, BP 1013 Papetoai, 98729, Moorea, Polynésie Française.
authors: Serge
authors: S
authors: Planes
authors: Department of Functional Biology, University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Garcia-Vazquez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D005075:Biological Evolution; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D056426:Genetic Loci; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D057232:Global Warming; D006239:Haplotypes; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013045:Species Specificity; D013696:Temperature; D050686:Whales, Pilot / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial