Open AccessHybridization in bottlenose dolphins—A case study of Tursiops aduncus × T. truncatus hybrids and successful backcross hybridization events
Author(s) -
Tess Gridley,
Simon Harvey Elwen,
Guillermo Harris,
Daniel M. Moore,
A. Rus Hoelzel,
F. Lampen
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0201722
Subject(s) - biology , introgression , backcrossing , hybrid , bottlenose dolphin , zoology , captivity , genus , genetics , ecology , botany , gene
The bottlenose dolphin, genus Tursiops is one of the best studied of all the Cetacea with a minimum of two species widely recognised. Common bottlenose dolphins ( T . truncatus ), are the cetacean species most frequently held in captivity and are known to hybridize with species from at least 6 different genera. In this study, we document several intra-generic hybridization events between T . truncatus and T . aduncus held in captivity. We demonstrate that the F 1 hybrids are fertile and can backcross producing apparently healthy offspring, thereby showing introgressive inter-specific hybridization within the genus. We document that female F 1 hybrids can reach sexual maturity at 4 yr and 3 mo of age, and can become pregnant and give birth before being fully weaned. The information presented has implications for understanding hybrid reticulation among cetacean species and practical implications for captive facilities housing either Tursiops species or hybrids thereof.