An international team of scientists led by the University of Groningen in the Netherlands examined the DNA of four different whale species. The analyzes showed an unusually high mutation rate comparable to smaller mammals. To work published in the journal Science.
According to experts, the number of mutations in the organisms of whales turned out to be much higher than previous estimates. Changes in the sea giants’ genes were almost as common as in dolphins, monkeys, and humans.
Data on the level and rate of mutations allowed scientists to more accurately estimate the number of whales in the North Atlantic before the era of industrial whaling in the 18th century. It turns out that 86% fewer humpback whales live in Atlantic waters than previously thought; According to previous estimates, this number was 20,000 versus 150,000. The researchers stressed that this information is important for the conservation of today’s marine mammal populations.
Formerly paleontologists discovered A new species of ancient whale that turned out to be the heaviest living animals on Earth.