The following publication is now available: Courbis, S., R.W. Baird, F. Cipriano, and D. Duffield. 2014. Evidence of multiple populations of pantropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata) in Hawaiian waters. Journal of Heredity. 105(5):627-641. doi: 10.1093/jhered/esu046
Please contact [email protected] for pdf. *Abstract* Understanding gene flow and dispersal patterns is important for predicting effects of natural events and anthropogenic activities on animal populations. In Hawai‘i, most species of odontocetes are managed as single populations. Recent exceptions include false killer whales, spinner dolphins, and common bottlenose dolphins, for which studies have shown fidelity to individual islands or groups of islands. Our study focused on pantropical spotted dolphins. We analyzed mitochondrial control region and 11 microsatellite loci from 101 individuals from four areas: Hawai‘i, Maui/Lana‘i, O‘ahu, and Kaua‘i/Ni‘ihau. We examined *F*ST, *Fʹ*ST, *R*ST, Jost’s *D*, and ΦST and used TESS to estimate number of populations and assignment probabilities. Our results support genetic differentiation among Hawaiʻi, Maui/Lana‘i, and Oʻahu and suggest that pantropical spotted dolphins near Kaua‘i/Ni‘ihau are likely transient and in low numbers. Between island regions, *F*st for microsatellites ranged from 0.016- 0.045 and for mtDNA from 0.011-0.282. *F*ʹST, ranged from 0.098-0.262 for microsatellites and 0.019-0.415 for mtDNA. *RST* and ΦST showed similar results to *F*ST for microsatellites and mtDNA respectively, and Jost’s *D* fell between *F*ST and *F*ʹST. TESS supported three populations, and greatest mean assignment probability by island region ranged from 0.50-0.72. The private alleles method indicated migration rates among regions from 1.49-3.45, and effective population size of the island of Hawaiʻi was estimated to be 220. There was no strong evidence to support sex-biased dispersal or group fidelity. Considering this study in the larger context of other odontocete population studies and studies of connectivity, we suggest genetic differentiation may be mediated by behavior adapted to differing habitat types and niches. *Key Words* *Stenella attenuata*; Hawai‘i; population genetics; management; stock; conservation Cheers, Sarah Sarah Courbis, Ph.D. Portland State University Portland, OR USA
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