Genetic monitoring of pilot whales, Globicephala spp. (Cetacea: Delphinidae), stranded on French coasts

Etienne Sabatier (1) , Eric Pante (1) , Claire Dussud (2) , Olivier Van Canneyt (2) , Benoit Simon-Bouhet (1) , Amélia Viricel (1)

1 LIENSs - LIttoral ENvironnement et Sociétés
2 PELAGIS - Observatoire pour la Conservation de la Mégafaune Marine

We used mitochondrial DNA control region sequences to genetically identify to the species level 23 pilot whales (genus Globicephala) that stranded on the French coasts between 1996 and 2011. Genetic analysis complemented morphological diagnoses, often hampered by an overlap in morphological characters between the two species or incomplete measurements. Mitochondrial DNA data allowed identification of 21 long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) and two unusual stranding events of the more tropical species (Globicephala macrorhynchus). In pilot whales as in most cetaceans, shifts in species range are expected to occur due to global climate change. In this context, our study contributes to the long-term monitoring of pilot whale stranding events, providing indirect information on species occurrence.

Mots clés: forensics; genetic monitoring; marine mammal; mitochondrial DNA; stranding

Domaines: Biodiversité

Etienne Sabatier, Eric Pante, Claire Dussud, Olivier Van Canneyt, Benoit Simon-Bouhet, et al.. Genetic monitoring of pilot whales, Globicephala spp. (Cetacea: Delphinidae), stranded on French coasts. Mammalia, 2015, 79 (1), pp.111-114. ⟨10.1515/mammalia-2013-0155⟩. ⟨hal-01242423⟩