Genetic population structure and gene flow between two populations of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis)

Sequence data from the mitochondrial DNA control region was used to test for genetic differentiation between populations of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) off Argentina and South Africa. DNA extracted from 49 skin biopsy samples was used to sequence 294bp of the hypervariable 5$\sp\prime$ mtDNA control region. A total of 34 polymorphisms defined 25 haplotypes and significant differentiation between stocks was detected using multiple sequence statistics (AMOVA $\Phi\rm\sb{ST}$ = 0.177 p = 0.0001; K$\rm\sb{ST}$ = 0.001 p $<$ 0.001). Sequence data from 8 South Georgia samples suggest a genetic link between this summer feeding area and both wintering stocks. Estimates of genetic diversity were comparable to those for other recovering mysticetes, suggesting that a population bottleneck due to commercial whaling of southern right whales in the South Atlantic may not have appreciably reduced genetic variation. These data support the continued distinction of South African and Argentinean southern right whale stocks for the purposes of management and conservation.