Integrated genetic and spatial network analyses for the St. Lawrence Estuary beluga population

The proposed project will address the research question: what is the role of relatedness in shaping spatial and social associations of St. Lawrence Estuary belugas? This work is proposed in partnership with the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM), which is a non-profit organization dedicated to both scientific research on the whales of the St. Lawrence and education for the sake of marine conservation. GREMM has been working with Dr. Tyler Bonnell et al. to quantify spatial structuring within this beluga population and with Dr. Tim Frasier to develop an archival genetic database for population monitoring purposes, but there has not yet been an opportunity to integrate these spatial and genetic data to better understand why the observed spatial associations exist; the proposed work aims to fill this gap. This project represents an important step in GREMM’s long-term beluga program. It will open new avenues for GREMM research and conservation actions and outreach programs.

Faculty Supervisor:

Timothy Frasier;Tyler Bonnell

Student:

Partner:

GREMM

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Life Sciences (not health)

University:

Saint Mary's University

Program: