Population Genetics and Trophic Ecology of Two Cetacean Species in the Ecuadorian Whale Sanctuary, the Galapagos Archipelago

Cetaceans are critical indicators of marine ecosystem health, yet little is known about their population structure and ecological roles in tropical oceanic regions. This doctoral thesis investigates the population genetics, connectivity, and trophic ecology of two cetacean species, blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) and common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), within the Galapagos Marine Reserve and the broader Ecuadorian Whale Sanctuary. Using mitochondrial DNA, genome-wide SNPs, and stable isotope analyses (δ13C and δ1⁵N), this research explores how environmental variability, particularly El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, influences foraging strategies and genetic structure.