Progress Report On Genetic Assignment Of Humpback Whales From The California-Oregon Feeding Aggregation To The Mainland Mexico And Central America Wintering Grounds

In this study, we focus on two questions that are central to understanding and managing humpback whales in the north Pacific. First, are the different migratory herds genetically differentiated from the other migratory herds that share a wintering ground? Second, can genetic mitochondrial genetic data be used to assign animals sampled or killed on feeding grounds to a migratory herd, and therefore to a specific wintering ground/DPS? We address these questions in the context of the feeding aggregation that occurs off the coasts of California and Oregon (henceforth the CA/OR feeding aggregation). 2020 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) SWFSC (Southwest Fisheries Science Center) Submitted https://doi.org/10.25923/0dh1-3x51 Public Domain 1861