Abstract
The genetic variation in the breeding concentrations of spotted seals (Phoca largha) inhabiting the Rimsky-Korsakov Archipelago (Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan) was studied using the control region of the mitochondrial genome. A total of 17 haplotypes in the control region and adjacent threonine and proline tRNA genes of 535 bp were identified in 32 largha underyearlings. The haplotype network revealed two mitochondrial lineages of spotted seals separated by fixed mutation steps. An analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) and phylogenetic reconstruction showed significant genetic differentiation between two groups of individuals from the same pupping sites. The obtained results are compared with available data for other parts of the spotted seal range. Possible events in the last glacial that have led to the sympatry of distinct spotted seal lineages in Peter the Great Bay are discussed.
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