Dear all,
We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article:
Louis M., Fontaine M. C., Spitz J., Schlund E., Dabin W., Deaville R., Caurant
F., Cherel Y., Guinet C. and Simon-Bouhet B. 2014. Ecological opportunities and
specializations shaped genetic divergence in a highly mobile marine top
predator. Proc. R. Soc. B 281(1795): 20141558. (doi:
10.1098/rspb.2014.1558)
Abstract:
Environmental conditions can shape genetic and morphological divergence.
Release of new habitats during historical environmental
changes was a major driver of evolutionary
diversification. Here, forces shaping population structure and ecotype
differentiation
(‘pelagic’ and ‘coastal’) of bottlenose dolphins in
the North-east Atlantic were investigated using complementary
evolutionary
and ecological approaches. Inference of population
demographic history using approximate Bayesian computation indicated
that
coastal populations were likely founded by the
Atlantic pelagic population after the Last Glacial Maxima probably as a
result
of newly available coastal ecological niches.
Pelagic dolphins from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea likely
diverged
during a period of high productivity in the
Mediterranean Sea. Genetic differentiation between coastal and pelagic
ecotypes
may be maintained by niche specializations, as
indicated by stable isotope and stomach content analyses, and social
behaviour.
The two ecotypes were only weakly morphologically
segregated in contrast to other parts of the World Ocean. This may be
linked
to weak contrasts between coastal and pelagic
habitats and/or a relatively recent divergence. We suggest that
ecological opportunity
to specialize is a major driver of genetic and
morphological divergence. Combining genetic, ecological and
morphological approaches
is essential to understanding the population
structure of mobile and cryptic species.
The article can be download from:
http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/281/1795/20141558.abstract or
you can email me for a copy.
Best wishes,
Marie
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