Mitochondrial Genomic analysis of Harp Seal Populations

Preliminary genomic analysis of DNA sequences from harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) on their four breeding grounds (inset map) suggests more limited genetic diversity in the two eastern (Greenland Sea and White Sea) than in the two western (Gulf of St Lawrence & Newfoundland / Labrador ice front) populations. The diagram shows that all individuals seals examined have unique genotypes (circles): eastern seals (green & blue circles) tend to be more closely related to each other than to western seals. [work in progress by H. D. Marshall, A.-M. Gale, R. Whyte,  S. M. Carr, and others]