Data from: Patterns of population structure for inshore bottlenose dolphins along the eastern United States

Globally distributed, the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is found
in a range of offshore and coastal habitats. Using 15 microsatellite loci
and mtDNA control region sequences, we investigated patterns of genetic
differentiation among putative populations along the eastern US shoreline
(the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, and Charleston Harbor, South Carolina)
(microsatellite analyses: n = 125, mtDNA analyses: n = 132). We further
utilized the mtDNA to compare these populations with those from the
Northwest Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. Results showed strong
differentiation among inshore, alongshore, and offshore habitats (ФST =
0.744). In addition, Bayesian clustering analyses revealed the presence of
2 genetic clusters (populations) within the 250 km Indian River Lagoon.
Habitat heterogeneity is likely an important force diversifying bottlenose
dolphin populations through its influence on social behavior and foraging
strategy. We propose that the spatial pattern of genetic variation within
the lagoon reflects both its steep longitudinal transition of climate and
also its historical discontinuity and recent connection as part of
Intracoastal Waterway development. These findings have important
management implications as they emphasize the role of habitat and the
consequence of its modification in shaping bottlenose dolphin population
structure and highlight the possibility of multiple management units
existing in discrete inshore habitats along the entire eastern US
shoreline.