From our visiting scientist:

Worldwide population genetic structure of Cuvier's beaked whales

Cuvier's beaked whale, Ziphius cavirostris, is the most cosmopolitan member of the little known family of whales, the Ziphiidae. Found in most of the world's oceans, this species has recently become the focus of widespread concern due to its susceptibility to the adverse effects of sound generated by navy sonar and seismic surveys. Ziphius is difficult to study at sea due to its preference for deep offshore waters and elusive habits. Most information has come from dead, stranded animals. Many aspects of Ziphius biology remain unknown. By analysing mitochondrial DNA sequence data I aim to identify appropriate units for conservation for this species worldwide. Most of the samples for this project will be obtained from stranded specimens, including soft tissue samples and bone/tooth powder.

The Bahamas appear to be a hotspot area for Ziphius and several other species of beaked whales. At least ten stranded Ziphius have been collected by Diane Claridge and colleagues at the Bahamas Marine Mammal Survey in recent years. The aim of my visit to Great Abaco in August 2006 is to sample these specimens for inclusion in this project. DNA will be extracted from bone/tooth powder and soft tissue samples back in my home laboratory at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia in a few months time. For specimens represented only by skulls and other bones, an electric drill with 2 - 3 mm drill bit is used to generate sufficient bone powder (< 0.1 gm) for DNA extraction. Mitochondrial DNA analysis of these samples will enable me to determine how Ziphius in the Bahamas are related to other populations in the North Atlantic and elsewhere in the world.

Dr. Merel Dalebout
Vice-Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellow
School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES)
University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney
NSW 2052, Australia
m.dalebout@unsw.edu.au Homepage at UNSW: http://www.bees.unsw.edu.au/school/researchstaff/dalebout/daleboutmerel.html