Population genomic data sets have enhanced power to detect cryptic and complex population structure and generate valuable information for the conservation and management of wildlife species. Globally, killer whales (Orcinus orca) are considered to have a complex population structure due to their ability to specialize in a variety of ecological niches. In the Australasian region, they are found year round in New Zealand waters and are sighted in all Australian waters, with seasonal aggregations in the northwest (NWA) and southwest (SWA). Regionally, there is some knowledge regarding killer whale abundance, diet, acoustics, and social structure, but limited information about their population structure. Here, we present a population structure assessment of Australasian killer whales using 17,491 high quality genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), combined with sequences of the mitochondrial DNA control region. The results indicate a minimum of three populations: New Zealand, NWA, and SWA. These populations present moderate levels of genomic diversity, negligible levels of inbreeding, small effective population sizes, and low contemporary migration rates among them. Mitochondrial DNA analysis elucidated five closely related haplotypes, suggestive of matrilineal societies, consistent with killer whales elsewhere. This information will assist conservation management of killer whales in the Australasian region.

中文翻译：

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澳大利亚和新西兰水域虎鲸 (Orcinus orca) 的种群基因组结构

种群基因组数据集增强了检测神秘和复杂种群结构的能力，并为野生动物物种的保护和管理生成有价值的信息。在全球范围内，虎鲸 ( Orcinus orca) 被认为具有复杂的种群结构，因为它们具有专门研究各种生态位的能力。在澳大拉西亚地区，它们全年都在新西兰水域被发现，并且在澳大利亚所有水域都可以看到，在西北部 (NWA) 和西南部 (SWA) 有季节性聚集。在区域上，有一些关于虎鲸丰度、饮食、声学和社会结构的知识，但关于它们的种群结构的信息有限。在这里，我们使用 17,491 个高质量的全基因组单核苷酸多态性 (SNP) 结合线粒体 DNA 控制区域的序列，对澳大利亚虎鲸进行种群结构评估。结果表明至少有三个人群：新西兰、NWA 和 SWA。这些种群呈现出中等水平的基因组多样性，近亲繁殖的水平可以忽略不计，有效人口规模小，当代移民率低。线粒体 DNA 分析阐明了五种密切相关的单倍型，暗示母系社会，与其他地方的虎鲸一致。这些信息将有助于澳大利亚地区虎鲸的保护管理。