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Geographical variation in franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) external morphology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 July 2011

Beatriz H.A. Barbato*
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, PO Box 474, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, 96201-900, Brazil
Eduardo R. Secchi
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Tartarugas e Mamíferos Marinhos, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, PO Box 474, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, 96201-900, Brazil
Ana Paula M. Di Beneditto
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goyatacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
Renata M.A. Ramos
Affiliation:
Everest Tecnologia em Serviços Ltda, Avenida Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes, 675/1201, Vitória, Espírito Santo, 29056-900, Brazil
Carolina Bertozzi
Affiliation:
Projeto Biopesca, R Paraguai, 241, Praia Grande, 11702-070, São Paulo, Brazil
Juliana Marigo
Affiliation:
Projeto Biopesca, R Paraguai, 241, Praia Grande, 11702-070, São Paulo, Brazil
Pablo Bordino
Affiliation:
Fundación Aquamarina, CECIM, Del Sauce 748, Pinamar, Buenos Aires B7167BSN, Argentina
Paul G. Kinas
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Estatística Ambiental, Instituto de Matemática, Estatística e Física, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, PO Box 474, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, 96201-900, Brazil
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Beatriz H.A. Barbato, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, PO Box 474, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, 96201-900, Brazil email: biabarbato@yahoo.com.br

Abstract

Four distinct Franciscana Management Areas (FMAs) have been proposed based on several lines of evidence including genotype, phenotype, population response and distribution. To determine if differences in external morphology fit this division, a canonical variate analysis was carried out for males and/or females from FMAs I to IV using up to 14 characters. A total of 78 adult specimens were analysed. More than 90% of the differences between groups were summarized by three canonical variates. Females were larger than males in all areas. Females from FMA IV were of intermediate length between those from FMA I and FMA III and individuals from FMA II were smaller than those from all other areas. Position of dorsal fin and morphology of the anterior body region, differentiate individuals from FMA I and FMA III. Morphological differences found in this study give additional support for the proposed FMAs. Since habitat characteristics and franciscana feeding ecology vary regionally, it is possible that observed morphological differences are due to ecological divergence for niche occupation. The indication of a discontinuous distribution, consistency between genetic and morphological evidence, and a short time genetic divergence, might indicate that franciscanas inhabiting FMA I represent a distinct subspecies.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2011

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