A review of biopsy sampling experiments and studies of stock structure, phylogeny and taxonomy of large whales based on samples obtained on SOWER cruises

Abstract

A summary is presented of biopsy sampling conducted during the SOWER programme between 1978/79–2009/10, involving 32 Antarctic cruises and three low latitude cruises, and studies of stock structure, phylogeny and taxonomy of large whales based on the genetic data obtained. While sampling began during the 1988/89 Antarctic cruise, sampling systems have since been developed and improved. The greatest numbers of biopsy samples obtained came from humpback and blue whales. Genetic analysis of these samples has contributed to our understanding of humpback whale stock structure in feeding grounds and the connection between whales in low‐latitude breeding grounds and high‐latitude feeding grounds. Genetic analysis of blue whale samples from the Antarctic and off Australia, Madagascar and Chile has contributed to our understanding of population genetic structure of pygmy blue whale stocks and between pygmy and Antarctic blue whales. While a relatively large number of samples were obtained from southern right whales, mainly in Area IV, genetic data have yet to be generated. The numbers obtained from other species, such as fin, sei, Bryde’s, Antarctic minke and sperm whales, were small. However, in some cases, they have been used to complement population genetic studies based on larger sample sizes from other sources. The samples are an important legacy of the SOWER programme and provide a valuable archive of genetic diversity and population structure of great whales in the Southern Ocean. These efforts should continue because: (a) the Antarctic is an area where large‐whale recovery has occurred after severe human exploitation; (b) the area is highly inaccessible without this kind of collaborative platform; and (c) biopsy samples are potentially useful for other studies, such as analysis of pollutants, stable isotopes, fatty acids and epigenetic ageing. In addition to the biological information obtained, the cruises provided important platforms for the development of biopsy sampling systems in the Antarctic and low latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere, and as a means of training scientists in the application of these systems.