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Genetic differentiation and limited gene flow among fragmented populations of New Zealand endemic Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins

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Abstract

Gene flow among small fragmented populations is critical for maintaining genetic diversity, and therefore the evolutionary potential of a species. Concern for two New Zealand endemic subspecies, the Hector’s (Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori) and Maui’s (C. h. maui) dolphins, arises from their low abundance, slow rate of reproduction, and susceptibility to fisheries-related mortality. Our work examined genetic differentiation and migration between the subspecies and among regional and local Hector’s dolphin populations using mitochondrial (mt) DNA and microsatellite genotypes from 438 samples. Results confirmed earlier reports of a single unique mtDNA control region haplotype fixed in the Maui’s dolphin, and provided new evidence of reproductive isolation from Hector’s dolphins (9-locus microsatellite F ST = 0.167, P < 0.001). Independent evolutionary trajectories were also supported for Hector’s dolphin populations of the East Coast, West Coast, Te Waewae Bay and Toetoe Bay. Low asymmetrical migration rates were found among several Hector’s dolphin populations and assignment tests identified five Hector’s dolphins likely to have a migrant father from another regional population. There appears to be sufficient step-wise gene flow to maintain genetic diversity within the East and West Coasts; however, the two local South Coast populations exhibited a high degree of differentiation given their close proximity (~100 km). To maintain the evolutionary potential and long-term survival of both subspecies, genetic monitoring and conservation management must focus on maintaining corridors to preserve gene flow and prevent further population fragmentation and loss of genetic diversity, in addition to maintaining local population abundances.

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Acknowledgments

This work was made possible by access to the University of Auckland Cetacean Tissue Archive, maintained and curated by CSB and RC. Biopsy samples were collected under permit to CSB from the New Zealand Department of Conservation and animal ethics protocols AEC/02/2002/R9 and AEC/02/2005/R334 from the University of Auckland. We thank everyone involved in biopsy sampling and the collection of samples from beachcast specimens, including Ros Cole, Padraig Duignan, Al Hutt, Don Neale, Wendi Roe, Kirsty Russell, Greg Stone and the numerous field staff of the New Zealand Department of Conservation. We are grateful for assistance and discussions from Murdoch Vant, Alana Alexander, Shane Lavery, Marc Oremus and Debbie Steel. Funding for this work was provided by grants or contracts to CSB from the New Zealand Department of Conservation, the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission and the Marsden Fund, and support to RC from the Performance Based Research Fund of the University of Auckland. RMH was supported in part by a Fulbright US Graduate Fellowship to New Zealand. Publication of this paper was supported, in part, by the Thomas G. Scott Publication Fund.

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  1. Marine Mammal Institute and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR, 97365, USA

    Rebecca M. Hamner & C. Scott Baker

  2. School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand

    Rebecca M. Hamner, Franz B. Pichler, Dorothea Heimeier, Rochelle Constantine & C. Scott Baker

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  1. Rebecca M. Hamner
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Correspondence to Rebecca M. Hamner.

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Hamner, R.M., Pichler, F.B., Heimeier, D. et al. Genetic differentiation and limited gene flow among fragmented populations of New Zealand endemic Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins. Conserv Genet 13, 987–1002 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-012-0347-9

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