Document Type
Article
Source of Publication
Ecology and Evolution
Publication Date
5-1-2026
Abstract
Cetaceans, despite their ability to cross wide distances, enabling mostly high levels of gene flow, can develop unique genetic lineages driven by variations in life-history traits, diverse migratory routes and local adaptation, complicating taxonomy and delineation of conservation units. Comprehensive genetic data are essential to overcome the challenges of obtaining suitable sample sizes from wild cetaceans while untangling cryptic species diversity. The Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) has a complicated discovery and taxonomic history that hinders accurate conservation assessments. In southern Africa, two populations are recognised: the inshore (SAi) and the offshore southeast Atlantic population (SEA). This study examines their phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history relative to global populations and other balaenopterids. Complete mitochondrial genomes from SAi and SEA individuals were analysed alongside mitogenomes from the Arabian/Persian Gulf (United Arab Emirates, UAE, this study), North Pacific offshore ecotypes (GenBank), coastal Japan's inshore ecotype (GenBank) and five additional balaenopterid species (GenBank). Phylogenomic analyses revealed that each population forms a distinct lineage. SAi and SEA individuals grouped with the subspecies B. edeni brydei (offshore ecotype), despite the SAi occurring inshore, whereas the UAE individual was more closely related to B. edeni edeni and B. ricei. Divergence dating estimates suggest that the southern African, UAE and North Pacific populations shared a most recent common ancestor approximately 4–5 million years ago. These findings emphasise the need to reassess conservation units, population estimates and potentially reclassify new subspecies or species among Bryde's whales. This study demonstrates how mitogenome data can detect cryptic diversity in elusive cetaceans, directing more effective conservation of unique genetic lineages.
DOI Link
ISSN
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
16
Issue
5
Disciplines
Life Sciences
Keywords
baleen whale, conservation unit, cryptic diversity, mitogenome, phylogenomics, taxonomy
Scopus ID
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Paynee, Dominique; Bloomer, Paulette; Penry, Gwenith; Elwen, Simon; Natoli, Ada; Dhanalakshmy, Vaisakh; Cardoso, Thyago; and Vermeulen, Els, "Unravelling Taxonomic Complexity in Elusive Cetaceans: Mitogenome Insights into Evolutionary History and Cryptic Diversity of Bryde's Whales" (2026). All Works. 8005.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/8005
Indexed in Scopus
yes
Open Access
yes
Open Access Type
Gold: This publication is openly available in an open access journal/series