Subsidiënt: Yakamoz Kizildas Bruins Slot / Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
Subsidie: 23.2.6.7
For migratory species that breed and forage in different areas, understanding their entire range
is essential for assessing population status and developing effective management strategies.
This is particularly important when individuals from different breeding stocks mix in feeding
areas. Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) exemplify this behavior with their seasonal
migrations between high-latitude summer feeding grounds and low-latitude winter breeding
grounds. In the eastern North Atlantic, one of the main feeding aggregations is located in
Iceland.
This study used nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from the Icelandic whales to understand
population composition and explore the connectivity between Iceland and other areas in the
North Atlantic through parental relationships and mixed stock analysis. The results indicate that
Iceland is an important feeding area for both the larger western and smaller eastern North
Atlantic populations. Additionally, the Icelandic whales display flexibility in their feeding range,
utilizing a broader geographic area in the east. This adaptability is crucial as changing marine
ecosystems may prompt shifts in food sources, migration routes, and distribution patterns.
Continuous genetic monitoring will be vital for identifying emerging critical areas and routes,
thereby supporting effective conservation efforts. The study underscores the importance of
genetic monitoring across large regions and the value of mixed-stock analysis for migratory
species.
