Evaluating stock structure hypotheses using genetically determined close relatives: a simulation study on North Atlantic fin whales

Abstract

Abstract Certain facets of the population dynamics of a species are hard to quantify, including stock structure. In particular, geographical boundaries of stocks or populations are often hard to estimate. This document discusses the application of a recent tagging method, applicable when breeding populations overlap on feeding grounds. The tagging efficiency is augmented with information on genetically determined close relatives. The proposed tagging method is studied using simulations. Statistics which can be used to compare rivalling stock structure hypotheses are introduced and contrasted. The simulation emulates competing stock structure hypotheses for North Atlantic fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus). The results indicate that, in the case of North Atlantic fin whales, a considerable improvement can be made in terms discriminatory power using information on close relatives when compared with more conventional tag-recapture experiments.