Low genetic diversity in pygmy blue whales is due to climate-induced diversification rather than anthropogenic impacts

28Citations
Citations of this article
114Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

Unusually low genetic diversity can be a warning of an urgent need to mitigate causative anthropogenic activities. However, current low levels of genetic diversity in a population could also be due to natural historical events, including recent evolutionary divergence, or long-term persistence at a small population size. Here, we determine whether the relatively low genetic diversity of pygmy blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) in Australia is due to natural causes or overexploitation. We apply recently developed analytical approaches in the largest genetic dataset ever compiled to study blue whales (297 samples collected after whaling and representing lineages from Australia, Antarctica and Chile). We find that low levels of genetic diversity in Australia are due to a natural founder event from Antarctic blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) that occurred around the Last Glacial Maximum, followed by evolutionary divergence. Historical climate change has therefore driven the evolution of blue whales into genetically, phenotypically and behaviourally distinct lineages that will likely be influenced by future climate change.

References Powered by Scopus

Bayesian phylogenetics with BEAUti and the BEAST 1.7

8590Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

The genetic legacy of the quaternary ice ages

5800Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

DIYABC v2.0: A software to make approximate Bayesian computation inferences about population history using single nucleotide polymorphism, DNA sequence and microsatellite data

868Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

Polar Regions

243Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Life history, climate and biogeography interactively affect worldwide genetic diversity of plant and animal populations

138Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Impacts of climate change on cetacean distribution, habitat and migration

72Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Attard, C. R. M., Beheregaray, L. B., Jenner, K. C. S., Gill, P. C., Jenner, M. N. M., Morrice, M. G., … Möller, L. M. (2015). Low genetic diversity in pygmy blue whales is due to climate-induced diversification rather than anthropogenic impacts. Biology Letters, 11(5). https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2014.1037

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 37

54%

Researcher 21

30%

Professor / Associate Prof. 11

16%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Agricultural and Biological Sciences 61

77%

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Bi... 10

13%

Environmental Science 6

8%

Social Sciences 2

3%

Article Metrics

Tooltip
Mentions
News Mentions: 3
References: 2

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free