Population Structure of the Endangered Franciscana Dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei): Reassessing Management Units

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085633
• Publication Date: 2014-01-31T22:33:41Z
• Authors: Haydée A. Cunha; Bruna V. Medeiros; Lupércio A. Barbosa; Marta J. Cremer; Juliana Marigo; José Lailson-Brito; Alexandre F. Azevedo; Antonio M. Solé-Cava
• Keywords: Bycatch; mtDNA control region

Franciscanas are the most endangered dolphins in Southwestern Atlantic. Due to their coastal and estuarine habits, franciscanas suffer from extensive fisheries bycatch, as well habitat loss degradation. Four Franciscana Management Areas (FMA), proposed based on biology, demography, morphology genetic data, were incorporated into management planning delineation of research efforts. We re-evaluated that proposal through analysis control region sequences throughout distribution range (N = 162), including novel northern limit species two other previously unsampled localities Brazil. A deep evolutionary break was observed between southern portions distribution, indicating they must be managed Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESU). Furthermore, additional FMAs should recognised accommodate differentiation found each ESU. These results have immediate consequences for conservation this species.