Dear Marmamers,
My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our
latest article "Cultural transmission of tool use combined with habitat
specializations leads to fine-scale genetic structure in bottlenose
dolphins" in Proceedings of the Royal Society, B.
Abstract: Socially learned behaviours leading to genetic population
structure have rarely been described outside humans. Here, we provide
evidence of fine-scale genetic structure that has likely arisen based on
socially transmitted behaviours in bottlenose dolphins (/Tursiops/ sp.)
in western Shark Bay, Western Australia. We argue that vertical social
transmission in different habitats has led to significant geographical
genetic structure of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes. Dolphins with
mtDNA haplotypes E or F are found predominantly in deep (more than 10 m)
channel habitat, while dolphins with a third haplotype (H) are found
predominantly in shallow habitat (less than 10 m), indicating a strong
haplotype--habitat correlation. Some dolphins in the deep habitat engage
in a foraging strategy using tools. These 'sponging' dolphins are
members of one matriline, carrying haplotype E. This pattern is
consistent with what had been demonstrated previously at another
research site in Shark Bay, where vertical social transmission of
sponging had been shown using multiple lines of evidence. Using an
individual-based model, we found support that in western Shark Bay,
socially transmitted specializations may have led to the observed
genetic structure. The reported genetic structure appears to present an
example of cultural hitchhiking of mtDNA haplotypes on socially
transmitted foraging strategies, suggesting that, as in humans, genetic
structure can be shaped through cultural transmission.
The abstract can be viewed here:
http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/281/1782/20133245.abstract
For any questions or requests for the PDF, please email corresponding
author Dr. Anna Kopps at: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>.
Best,
Anna
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