Population structure studies play an increasingly integral role in conservation and management of marine mammal species. Genetic markers are commonly used; however, ecological markers (i.e. chemical compounds) are a fairly recent and useful tool to investigate ecological management units. The objective of this study is to investigate the population structure of the Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) within its distribution in the Atlantic Ocean using data from stable isotopes of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N and persistent organic pollutants as ecological markers. Based on previous studies that addressed distribution, morphometric analyses and molecular and ecological markers, we hypothesize that there are several ecological management units within the Atlantic Ocean. Our results confirmed population differentiation previously detected using genetic markers. Additionally, dolphins from the south-eastern coast of Brazil do not show complete ecological segregation from the Caribbean ones, while molecular analyses suggested genetic differentiation between the two regions. In the light of these results, we propose that at least two ecological management units should be considered, east and west of the Atlantic Ocean; however, the presence of one or two management units along the Atlantic coast of Central and South America needs further investigation.

中文翻译：

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通过生态标记推断大西洋斑海豚（Stenella frontalis）的种群结构。

种群结构研究在海洋哺乳动物物种的保护和管理中发挥着越来越重要的作用。遗传标记是常用的。然而，生态标志物（即化学化合物）是研究生态管理单位的相当新的有用工具。这项研究的目的是探讨大西洋的人口结构看上海豚（原海豚额利用的稳定同位素数据在大西洋的分布中）δ ¹³ C和δ ¹⁵氮和持久性有机污染物是生态标志。根据以前针对分布，形态分析以及分子和生态标志物的研究，我们假设大西洋中有几个生态管理单位。我们的结果证实了以前使用遗传标记检测到的种群分化。此外，来自巴西东南海岸的海豚并未显示出与加勒比海地区完全的生态隔离，而分子分析表明这两个区域之间存在遗传分化。根据这些结果，我们建议至少要考虑两个生态管理单位，即大西洋的东部和西部。但是，中美洲和南美洲大西洋沿岸一两个管理部门的存在需要进一步调查。