The article by PHYS.ORG (2014) was written about the new dolphin species of Victoria, Australia, called the Burrunan dolphin. This species was recently discover by Dr. Kate Charlton-Robb, 3 years ago, in 2011 (PHYS.ORG, 2014). Although not a lot is known about them, there is a concern surrounding the conservation of Burrunan dolphins (PHYS.ORG, 2014). The population size of the species is very small and according to Dr. Charlton-Robb, for each region there are less than 100 dolphins that can contribute to the gene pool of the next generation (PHYS.ORG, 2014). This lack in genetic diversity and the fact the individual populations are so isolated leads to the worry that the species will not be able to sustain itself and that conservation efforts
…show more content…
(2014) that looked in to the genetics of the Burrunan dolphin populations in southern Australia. It was determined that the Burrunan dolphins consist of 2 distinct populations, one in Port Phillips Bay and the other stretches from the eastern coast of Tasmania to Gippsland Lake (Charlton-Robb et al., 2014). Between these 2 populations the gene flow is very minimal (Charlton-Robb et al., 2014). Figure 1 shows how the mitochondrial DNA haplotypes varies within the species at the different locations (Charlton-Robb et al., 2014). The haplotypes of the population in Port Phillips are very different than those around Tasmania and Gippsland Lake (Charlton-Robb et al., 2014). These differences are likely due to the fact that the aquatic environments in each spot are not the same (Charlton-Robb et al., 2014). The water around Port Phillips is a lot more consistent in its temperature and salt levels, while the levels around Tasmania and Gippsland Lake tend to fluctuate more (Charlton-Robb et al., 2014). Within each of the 2 populations of the Burrunan dolphin it has also been noted that there is very little genetic diversity (Charlton-Robb et al., 2014). Through mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite genotyping it was observed that in comparison to other coastal dolphin populations they had very low genetic variability (Charlton-Robb et al., 2014). The dolphins that are closer to Tasmania had the lowest …show more content…
In an article written by Charlton-Robb (2014), it was discussed how this leaves them especially vulnerable to environmental factors and human activities. This already small population cannot stand to lose more variability through these factors or it would become even more difficult to save them from the looming possibility of extinction (Charlton-Robb,
(2014) that looked in to the genetics of the Burrunan dolphin populations in southern Australia. It was determined that the Burrunan dolphins consist of 2 distinct populations, one in Port Phillips Bay and the other stretches from the eastern coast of Tasmania to Gippsland Lake (Charlton-Robb et al., 2014). Between these 2 populations the gene flow is very minimal (Charlton-Robb et al., 2014). Figure 1 shows how the mitochondrial DNA haplotypes varies within the species at the different locations (Charlton-Robb et al., 2014). The haplotypes of the population in Port Phillips are very different than those around Tasmania and Gippsland Lake (Charlton-Robb et al., 2014). These differences are likely due to the fact that the aquatic environments in each spot are not the same (Charlton-Robb et al., 2014). The water around Port Phillips is a lot more consistent in its temperature and salt levels, while the levels around Tasmania and Gippsland Lake tend to fluctuate more (Charlton-Robb et al., 2014). Within each of the 2 populations of the Burrunan dolphin it has also been noted that there is very little genetic diversity (Charlton-Robb et al., 2014). Through mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite genotyping it was observed that in comparison to other coastal dolphin populations they had very low genetic variability (Charlton-Robb et al., 2014). The dolphins that are closer to Tasmania had the lowest …show more content…
In an article written by Charlton-Robb (2014), it was discussed how this leaves them especially vulnerable to environmental factors and human activities. This already small population cannot stand to lose more variability through these factors or it would become even more difficult to save them from the looming possibility of extinction (Charlton-Robb,