Open AccessInsights into the genetic diversity of the leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx), inferred from mitochondrial DNA analysis, at Danco Coast, Antarctic Peninsula
Author(s) -
Laura Hernández,
Dalia C. BarragánBarrera,
Javier Negrete,
Sebastián Poljak,
Federico G. RietSapriza,
Susana Caballero
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
boletin de investigaciones marinas y costeras/boletín de investigaciones marinas y costeras
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2590-4671
pISSN - 0122-9761
DOI - 10.25268/bimc.invemar.2021.50.suplesp.951
Subject(s) - mitochondrial dna , leopard , peninsula , genetic diversity , mtdna control region , haplotype , biology , seal (emblem) , zoology , ecology , geography , genetics , archaeology , genotype , gene , demography , population , sociology
The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) is a genetically low-studied species. In order to conduct the first genetic diversity assessment of this species in Danco Coast (Antarctic Peninsula), 423 bp of the mitochondrial DNA Control Region (mtDNA-CR) was sequencedfrom 13 blood samples collected in Primavera Base (62º15’S, 58º39’W) during the 2011-2012 austral summer. Our results showed high haplotype diversity (h = 0.99), with various divergent haplotypes. Our findings suggest that leopard seals in the Danco Coast couldrepresent different phylogroups; however, including more genetic markers are needed to confirm this hypothesis.