D.A. Duffield; M.A. Solangi; A. Veverka-Wright
Department of Biology, Portland State University, Portland, OR;
Marine Animal Productions, Gulfport, MS
This paper describes genetic variation within and between temporal and
spatial population samplings of Tursiops truncatus in the Mississippi Sound.
Samplings were made from Mobil Bay, Alabama to Biloxi and Cat Island, Mississippi and at
these sites over time. Five polymorphic RBC enzyme systems were analyzed. There were
statistically significant differences in allele frequencies and in genotype distribution of
these alleles both between sampling locations and between different samplings in the same
area overtime. Individuals from certain sampling times showed striking genetic homogeneity
for these protein loci as compared with other samplings, raising the question of whether
these animals represent a homogeneous local group of dolphins or whether they are
representative of a larger Tursiops population with fixed alleles whose major range extends
into the Gulf of Mexico and who periodically move into the Sound area. Comparisons are drawn
with Tursiops, social units of the Sarasota, Florida areas supporting the latter
hypothesis.