Genetic analysis identifies a distinct Risso's dolphin population around British Isles
Risso's dolphins around the British Isles are part of a single population—genetically distinct from those elsewhere in the Atlantic, new research shows. Scientists studied the DNA of dolphins that stranded in England, Scotland and Wales from 1992 to 2016.
Recent genetic research has revealed that Risso's dolphins found around the British Isles constitute a unique population separate from those in other regions of the Atlantic. Scientists analyzed the DNA of dolphins that washed ashore in England, Scotland and Wales between 1992 and 2016. The findings, published in the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, indicate that the Risso's dolphins around the British Isles are their own distinct genetic group, suggesting limited mixing with dolphins from other areas.
This suggests the British population has been isolated for some time. The study did not examine all parts of the nearby Atlantic, so the exact boundaries of this population are not yet known. While there was no significant genetic difference between dolphins in different parts of the British Isles, there may still be evidence of local subgroups.
This is important given that Risso's dolphin numbers may be decreasing in some regions. Further genetic sampling from nearby areas such as Norway, the Celtic Sea, the southwest English Channel and the Bay of Biscay is needed to determine the full extent of these genetic boundaries. More advanced DNA techniques could provide a detailed picture of how connected the Risso's dolphin populations are around the British Isles, which is crucial for accurately assessing their conservation status.
Recognizing this population as a subpopulation, as has been done for the Mediterranean subpopulation classified as Endangered by the IUCN, could be warranted. Future research combining various factors including behavior, appearance, movements, vocalizations and genetics will provide a better understanding of how Risso's dolphins in the U.K. are connected, how they utilize different habitats and how best to protect them.
Effective protection should focus on safeguarding key habitats and addressing threats at a local scale where conservation measures can have the greatest impact.
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