Genetic structure of the beaked whale genus Berardius in the North Pacific, with genetic evidence for a new species

摘要: There are two recognized species in the genus Berardius, Baird’s and Arnoux’s beaked whales. In Japan, whalers have traditionally forms of Baird’s beaked whales, common “slate-gray” form a smaller, rare “black” form. Previous comparison mtDNA control region sequences from three black specimens to gray specimens around Japan indicated that comprise different stocks potentially different species. We expanded sampling to include control region haplotypes 178 beaked whales across their range North Pacific. identified five additional the Aleutian Islands Bering Sea, for total eight specimens. The divergence between beaked whale was greater than divergence congeneric Arnoux’s whale found Southern Ocean, similar observed among other congeneric beaked whale Taken together, genetic evidence and across Pacific, combined with smaller adult body size, indicate presence an unnamed Berardius