Links
- The Publications Warehouse does not have links to digital versions of this publication at this time
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Current information about the utility of genetic markers for estimating population structuring in sea otters (Enhydra lutris) is reviewed. Analyses of spatial population structuring with biochemical and molecular genetic markers are discussed in the context of the species' ecology and history of exploitation. Studies that have used a diversity of genetic markers including allozymes, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and multilocus minisatellites revealed that geographically spearated populations of sea otters are highly differentiated, though little evidence for phylogeographic structuring was suggested. Analyses of population relationships based on mtDNA haplotype frequency distribution suggested that populations can be separated into four major groups: (1) California; (2) Prince William Sound, Alaska; (3) Kodiak Island, Alaska, and islands of the Aleutian archipelago, including the Commander Islands; and (4) the Kuril Islands. Populations from locales separated by large geographic distances often shared haplotypes, suggesting recent common ancestry and some degree of historical gene flow. THe large differences among populations in nuclear and mtDNA gene frequency suggested strong constrains on contemporary gene flow and/or considerable drift in gene frequencies due to population bottlenecks. No evidence for microgeographic structuring was noted. Levels of genetic diversity within populations varied greatly across the species range but were not related to contemporary estimates of population size.
| Publication type | Conference Paper |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Conference Paper |
| Title | Population genetic studies of the sea otter (Enhydra lutris): A review and interpretation of available data |
| ISBN | 9780935868920 |
| Year Published | 1997 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Society for Marine Mammalogy |
| Publisher location | Lawrence, KS |
| Contributing office(s) | Alaska Science Center |
| Description | 12 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Book |
| Larger Work Subtype | Conference publication |
| Larger Work Title | Molecular genetics of marine mammals: Incorporating the proceedings of a workshop on the analysis of genetic data to address problems of stock identity as related to management of marine mammals |
| First page | 197 |
| Last page | 208 |
| Public Comments | Society for Marine Mammology Special Publication no. 3 |
| Conference Title | Workshop on the Analysis of Genetic Data to Address Problems of Stock Identity as Related to Management of Marine Mammals |
| Conference Location | La Jolla, CA |
| Conference Date | September 1994 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |