Population Genetics of Bowhead Whales (Baleana mysticetus) in the Western Arctic

Bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas experienced a severe reduction as a result of commercial whaling in the 19th century. Since the cessation of commercial whaling, the population has recovered to a size that is approaching pre-whaling estimates. Inupiat and Yupik communities in northern and western Alaska hunt these Western Arctic (WA) bowheads along their migratory path during spring and fall. This hunting is regulated by the International Whaling Commission. Recent but preliminary analysis of available genetic data (207 whales and 10 microsatellite markers) raised the question of the presence of multiple, genetically distinct populations within the WA bowheads. Here we re-examined this question on the basis of a study of 414 whales and 22 newly developed microsatellite loci. We identified widespread departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium; however, we were unable to detect significant evidence of multiple genetic populations within the WA bowheads that could explain this Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium, particularly when compared to the strength of evidence for differentiation between WA bowheads and other populations from distant regions such as the Okhotsk Sea and eastern Canada. There was conclusive evidence of genetic differentiation among the three regions. The statistical rejection of panmixia within the WA improves our understanding of bowhead whale biology, and the lack of evidence for multiple populations within the WA enables risk-averse management of aboriginal hunting of Western Arctic bowhead whales.La population de baleines boréales (Balaena mysticetus) des mers de Béring, de Tchoukotka et de Beaufort a enregistré un grave déclin en raison de la pêche commerciale à la baleine au XIXe siècle. Depuis que la pêche commerciale à la baleine a cessé, la population de baleines boréales a connu un certain essor au point où elle approche maintenant les estimations de la taille qu’elle avait avant la pêche commerciale à la baleine. Les collectivités Inupiat et Yupik du nord et de l’ouest de l’Alaska chassent les baleines boréales de l’ouest de l’Arctique le long de leur voie de migration au printemps et à l’automne. La chasse est réglementée par l’International Whaling Commission. Des analyses récentes, bien que préliminaires, des données génétiques disponibles (207 baleines et 10 marqueurs microsatellites) ont soulevé la question de la présence de multiples populations génétiquement distinctes au sein de la population de baleines boréales de l’ouest de l’Alaska. Ici, nous avons réexaminé cette question en fonction de l’étude de 414 baleines et de 22 locis microsatellites nouvellement mis au point. Nous avons remarqué d’importantes déviations de l’équilibre de Hardy-Weinberg; toutefois, nous n’avons pas pu trouver de preuve significative de populations génétiques multiples au sein des baleines boréales de l’ouest de l’Alaska qui pourrait expliquer ce déséquilibre de Hardy-Weinberg, plus particulièrement en comparaison avec la force de la preuve de différenciation entre les baleines boréales de l’ouest de l’Arctique et d’autres populations de régions distantes telles que la mer d’Okhotsk et l’est du Canada. Il y avait des preuves concluantes de différenciation génétique entre les trois régions. Le rejet statistique de la panmixie au sein de l’ouest de l’Arctique améliore notre compréhension de la biologie des baleines boréales, et le manque de preuves de populations multiples dans l’ouest de l’Arctique donne lieu à la gestion de l’aversion au risque de la chasse à la baleine boréale de l’ouest de l’Arctique par les Autochtones

The Grizzly, December 1, 2005

Memorial for Professor McLennan • Fate of The Egg • Jazz Legend Performs at Ursinus • Myrin Renovations • Murderball is Coming to Ursinus • Hot Discounts Warm up the Ski Season • Am I Pregnant? • What\u27s Hot and What\u27s Not This Gift-Giving Season • Wanted: Greek Presidents • Opinions: The Bigger Headache with PA Liquor Laws; How to Avoid Disastrous Holiday Parties; Addicted to Games, Are We? • Bears Ground Flying Dutchmen • Bears Fall Short of NCAA Titlehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1701/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, November 10, 2005

Congress to Campus • Spyware Protection • Honor Code Debate Continues • Human Rights Activist Speaks at UC • Scientific Sexual Healing • Epic Skate Shop • DiBlasio to Perform at Ursinus • Repeat! Dynasty Built in Second CC Crown • Fad Diets: Sometimes it is OK Not to be Trendy • Opinions: My Mouth Runneth Over; Who is Samuel Alito? • No Crown but Earn Bid to ECAC • Women\u27s Rugby Division III Championshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1699/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, December 8, 2005

Bomberger Gets a Face Lift • Ursinus Remembers Rosa Parks • Holiday Spotlight: Materialism vs. Family • Music to Celebrate By • It\u27s Spoken Word, Haven\u27t You Heard? • First Ever Ursinus College Bear Olympics Meets with Success • Holiday Fashion: What not to Wear • Misconceptions About Feminine Hygiene • Ursinus Professor Directs Performance at Prince Music Theater • Opinions: A Politically Correct Holiday Season; Flakes of Fury; Blog Addiction • Bears Beat at Buzzer • Guntli Leads Bears Past Bulletshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1702/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, November 3, 2005

Remembering Professor McLennan: A Passionate Teacher and a Beloved Friend • Renowned Writer Speaks at Ursinus • Building Plans for Spring 2006 and Beyond • Ovarian Cancer Walk • Chikara Wrasslin\u27 • EQ vs. IQ: Hirsh-Pasek on Education • The Many Faces of Muslim Women • Take Heed and Use Your Keys • Escape Velocity\u27s Just the Start is a Great Success • New Oktoberfest Policies Put into Effect • Popping the Pill • RHA Brings Halloween Fun to Ursinus • Opinions: The Right to Write Right; Raising Rates for Resident Assistants; Global Gag Rule and FGM; Harriet Miers: Aftermath; You Snooze, You Lose • Title Hopes Still Alive as Ursinus Upsets #16 Johns Hopkins • Bears Beat Blue Jays, Look to Defend Conference Crownhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1698/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, October 6, 2005

UC Tuition Series Part Two: AFAC • Thinking Man\u27s Comic Brings Biting Wit to Campus • Director of Physical Facilities Retires after 26 Years of Service • Crossing Woes • Long-term Campus Development Plans • Environmentalist Speaks on Climate Change • Program Spotlight: America Reads • Jordanian Visitor Discusses Education • New Attendance Policy • Battle of the Websites: The Facebook vs. MySpace • Let\u27s Talk About Sex • Staff Profile: Campus Safety Director Kim Taylor • Can You Climb the Wall? • Let\u27s Party: The Unspoken Rules of Ursinus Nightlife • Opinions: The Black Spotlight, Or Why White People Like Me; Stress Can Affect Your Academic Performance; Down the Path; Another Glance at UC Fringe • Bears Terrorize McDaniel in OT • Bears Make Bullets Shoot Blanks • Rally Falls Short as McDaniel Beats Ursinus • Soccer Struggles Continuehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1695/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, September 22, 2005

Oktoberfest Location Still Up in the Air • Activities Fair Showcases Clubs Both New and Old • WVOU Relaunch • Fringe Festival Comes to Kaleidoscope • Theft on Campus • Writing Center Opens • Soldier Speaks on Rebuilding Afghanistan • New Mac Lab in Ritter • The Dirt on UC Soap • UC Getting Greener Every Year • Ursinus in Florence: A Little Rain Never Hurt Anyone • Get Up and Get Moving: Making Exercise a Routine • Creating Communication Elation • Staff Profile: Gary Hodgson • Opinions: Veggie Monster? A Commentary on Society Brought to You by the Letter H; Religion of Ritual; The Next Generation; Priorities; Hard vs. Soft News • Ursinus Triumphs Over LaSalle • Bears Dominate Dickinson • Athletic Facility Face Lift • Tumblebears at UChttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1693/thumbnail.jp