Arabian Sea finless porpoise genetically distinct from Pacific populations reveals study

Kolkata, Sep 28 (UNI) A study by Indian and South Korean scientists has found significant genetic differences between the wide-ridged Indo-Pacific finless porpoise found in the Arabian Sea and populations in the Pacific Ocean, raising the possibility that the Indian Ocean may support distinct sub-populations of the species. The study also found that only 23.4 per cent of the potentially suitable coastal habitat identified for the species is covered by recognised Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) or Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs), highlighting gaps in existing conservation coverage. Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and Pukyong National University in…