Killer whale genetics: Redefining stock structure in a marine top predator

Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 15:01 in Biology & Nature

By collecting 462 skin samples from both resident and transient wild killer whales in the northern North Pacific and characterizing individual genetic variability using two different genetic markers (mitochondrial DNA and nuclear microsatellites), scientists have discovered further subdivision within the whale stocks than was previously believed. In fact, the evidence is so strong that the researchers believe it's time to revise the killer whale stocks in the region.

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