Could genetic diversity in eastern North Pacific gray whales reflect global historic abundance?

Alter et al. (1) use estimates of genetic diversity in eastern North Pacific gray whales, Eschrichtius robustus , to infer historic levels of abundance of this species in the North Pacific. However, the expected level of genetic diversity within local populations connected by gene flow to other populations is that of the global population (2). Alter et al. (1 … †To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: Per.Palsboll{at}gmt.su.se