MOLECULAR ECOLOGY AND SYSTEMATICS OF SOTALIA DOLPHINS - Biology, Evolution and Conservation of River Dolphins Within South America and Asia - page 261

Chapter 14
M OLECULAR E COLOGY AND S YSTEMATICS OF
S OTALIA D OLPHINS
H.A. Cunha 1,2  , da Silva VMF 3 and A.M. Solé-Cava 1
1 Laboratório de Biodiversidade Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Instituto de
Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro,
Rio de Janeiro, RJ - Brazil
2 Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Faculdade de Oceanografia
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ - Brazil
3 Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Coordenação de Pesquisa em Biologia Aquática
Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, AM - Brazil
A BSTRACT
Molecular markers have the potential to disclose genetic variation and provide clues
on macro and microevolutionary issues. The taxonomic and phylogenetic status of
species lie within the realm of macroevolution while intraspecific matters, such as
geographic population structure, social organization and mating system, pertain to
microevolution. This chapter describes the findings on the molecular systematics and
ecology of Sotalia dolphins, and is divided in two sections, each focusing on one of those
topics. The first section shows how molecular markers have helped to settle the issue of
species composition within the genus Sotalia - a matter of debate for over 140 years. To
explain the controversy, a brief history of taxonomic changes in the genus since the first
species descriptions is included. In addition, the section also makes phylogenetic
considerations and discusses the timing of the speciation between the two accepted
Sotalia species. The second section deals with the molecular ecology of Sotalia,
presenting results and prospects of studies on population structure, phylogeography and
social structure. Although many studies are still underway, some important findings have
already been produced. The section also includes comments on new analytical
developments that promise to widen our knowledge on those issues. The two sections
close with a discussion of the relevance of results for the conservation and management
of Sotalia species. At least two important results stem from molecular systematics and
 www.biologia.ufrj.br/lbdm.