A multinational team of scientists led by researchers at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands conducted DNA analyses on four whale species. The study revealed an unexpectedly high mutation rate in these large marine mammals, a pace of genetic change that rivals that seen in much smaller species. The findings were published in Science.
Experts noted that the mutation counts observed in whales exceeded prior estimates. The alterations in the whales’ genomes occurred with notable frequency, approaching the level of change seen in dolphins, primates, and humans. This shift in understanding changes how researchers think about whale biology, evolution, and the long-term stability of their genetic heritage.
The data on mutation rate and timing allowed scientists to refine their estimates of whale populations in the North Atlantic before industrial whaling began in the 18th century. It appears that the actual numbers were far smaller than previously believed. Earlier models suggested around 150,000 humpback whales in Atlantic waters, but new calculations indicate a total closer to 20,000. The revised figures carry important implications for current conservation strategies aimed at sustaining today’s marine mammal populations and emphasize the need for accurate historic baselines when shaping management decisions.
In related paleontological work, researchers identified a newly described ancient whale species that is considered among the heaviest creatures known to have ever lived on Earth. This discovery adds depth to the understanding of whale evolution and the broad range of sizes that waves of ancient oceans supported over millions of years.