Distribution and population structure of North Atlantic harbour seals (Phoca vitulina)

Authors

  • Liselotte Andersen National Environmental Research Institute, University of Aarhus, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Biodiversity, Grenåvej 12, DK-8410 Rønde, Denmark
  • Morten Tange Olsen Stockholm University, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Toxicology, SvanteArrheniusväg 20C, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7557/3.2669

Keywords:

Phoca vitulina, distribution, population, harbour seals, genetics, mtDNA, microsatellites

Abstract

A review of the known geographical distribution and current knowledge on the genetic population structure of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in the North Atlantic is presented. Based on a synthesis of the results fromfive different studies of neutral geneticmarkers (mtDNAand nuclear microsatellites, mainly) twelve genetically distinct populations were identified in the North Atlantic: USA/Canada, Iceland, west coast of Norway, Ireland-Scotland, English east coast, Channel area, Wadden Sea, Limfjord, Skagerrak, Kattegat, West Baltic, and East Baltic. Most of the studies addressed the population structure at the regional level, while only a few addressed the structuring at a local level, i.e. within countries. Due to the limited number of studies conducted, the identified population units were considered preliminary andmore detailed, local studies would probably reveal structuring on a finer scale. The choice of genetic markers, their properties, resolution in time and applicability in population structure studies is shortly discussed and compared to ecological methods used to delineate populations.

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Published

2010-09-01

How to Cite

Andersen, L., & Olsen, M. T. (2010). Distribution and population structure of North Atlantic harbour seals (<i>Phoca vitulina</i>). NAMMCO Scientific Publications, 8, 15–35. https://doi.org/10.7557/3.2669

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