Linking Genetic Data and Sighting Histories of Individual Humpback Whales in a Collaborative Database
Project ID: J8W07100015
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: Oregon State University
Fiscal Year: 2010
Initial Funding: $58,463
Total Funding: $58,463
Project Type: Technical Assistance
Project Disciplines: Biological
National Park: Alaska Region
Principal Investigator: Baker, C. Scott
Agreement Technical Representative: Barry, Sheri
Abstract: In collaboration with Glacier Bay National Park (GLBA), the Cetacean Conservation Genetics Laboratory of the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University will conduct primary genetic analysis of 314 biopsy samples collected in southeastern Alaska and northern British Colombia during the SPLASH (Structure of Populations, Levels of Abundance and Status of Humpbacks) program of 2004-2006. The final product, done in cooperation with a concurrent PNW CESU Task Agreement between NPS and the University of Alaska Southeast, will be an integrated, collaborative database of photo-identification and genotype records of humpback whales collected from the SPLASH program. The Alaska humpback whale collaborative database is a critical tool to better understand the movements and genetic structure of this endangered species.
Deliverables: