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Records and genetic diversity of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from the Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 May 2009

Ana Galov ,
Gordan Lauc ,
Nela Nikolić ,
Zlatko Šatović ,
Tomislav Gomerčić ,
Martina Đuras Gomerčić ,
Ivna Kocijan ,
Branka Šeol  and
Hrvoje Gomerčić
Ana Galov*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Gordan Lauc
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, A. Kovačića 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Nela Nikolić
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia Mediterranean Institute for Life Sciences, Meštrovićevo šetalište bb, 21000 Split, Croatia
Zlatko Šatović
Affiliation:
Department of Seed Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Tomislav Gomerčić
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Martina Đuras Gomerčić
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Ivna Kocijan
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Branka Šeol
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Hrvoje Gomerčić
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: A. Galov Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of ScienceUniversity of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia email: anagalov@zg.biol.pmf.hr
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Abstract

The striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) is a small, pelagic and cosmopolitan cetacean. Though it is the most common dolphin species in the Mediterranean Sea, it is not considered resident in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea. Fifteen striped dolphins were found dead in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea in the last eight years (1999–2007). More specimens were found in southern than in the northern part of the Adriatic. Analysis of twelve microsatellite loci and sequencing of 882 base pair (bp) fragment of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region were performed for genetic characterization. The mean allelic diversity (7±0.78) and mean expected heterozygosity (0.727±0.05) reveal high genetic variation. Significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was observed at two loci. Sequence analysis of the mtDNA control region identified seven unique haplotypes with 22 polymorphic sites in ten individuals. The haplotype diversity (0.911±0.077) was high, while nucleotide diversity was strikingly low (0.006±0.003). Results presented here support the notion of the striped dolphin not being resident species in Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea.

Keywords

recordsgenetic diversitystriped dolphinsStenella coeruleoalbaCroatian coastAdriatic Sea
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 2 , January 2009 , e98
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2009

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