Inconsistency Between Socio-Spatial and Genetic Structure in a Coastal Dolphin Population

Identifying population structure and boundaries among communities of wildlife exposed to anthropogenic threats is key successful conservation management. Previous studies on the demography, social spatial Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops aduncus ) suggested four nearly discrete behavioral in Perth metropolitan waters, Western Australia. We investigated genetic these using highly polymorphic microsatellite markers part hypervariable segment mitochondrial control region. Overall, there was no evidence structure. found significant, yet very small differentiation between some communities, most likely due presence related individuals within communities. Our findings high levels contemporary migration point toward a panmictic with continuous gene flow each In species slow life histories fission-fusion dynamics, such as spp., socio-spatial structures may reflect different timescales. Thus, despite similarity, community should be considered distinct ecological unit conserved because they are occur habitats, being important information for immediate The estuarine community, particular, vulnerable appropriate measures needed order maintain its connectivity adjacent, semi-enclosed coastal