A note on divergent mtDNA lineages of bottlenose dolphins from coastal waters of southern Australia

Bottlenose dolphins have a global distribution throughout tropical and temperate waters, both inshore offshore. Many studies demonstrate the existence of at least two Tursiops species: truncatus, consisting offshore eco-types T. aduncus, coastal Indo-Pacific type known to extend south into waters down east coast Australia. To clarify taxonomic status populations (Port Phillip Bay Gippsland Lakes) bottlenose along Australia’s (Victoria), 346bp region mitochondrial-DNA (mtDNA) control was sequenced from ten individuals they were incorporated phylogenetic analyses involving published sequences other spp., Stenella spp. Delphinus found worldwide. Both neighbour-joining maximum parsimony trees place Victorian haplotypes in highly-supported group separate those dolphins, including southern part Australian eastern coast. are divergent truncatus (average 5.5%) most aduncus (9.1%), with intermediate levels divergence These data suggest that similar world-wide populations, genetically unique, long isolated therefore likely be locally adapted. This has important implications for management conservation.