Genetic differentiation in the striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba from European waters according to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction analysis

We used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction analysis to study genetic var iation in 98 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded on coasts fr om different European countries and from animals caught by fisheries. A tot al of 63 different restriction sites was mapped after digestion of mtDNA wi th 15 restriction endonucleases that yielded a total of 27 haplotypes. No h aplotype was shared between Mediterranean and Atlantic areas. All the analy ses indicate the existence of two different populations with a very limited gene now across the Strait of Gibraltar.