Almost 40 years ago, deep in the Pacific Ocean, one voice called unique songs. The sound of resounding through the deepest 52 Hertz puzzles that listened to this solo from the ocean symphony. Higher frequency than blue whales or cousins. The fins allow scientists to pretend to the mystery of 52 whales–
Levathan has heard many times. But never blessed SisterPect. Some people may have some abnormalities that change their voice. Others think that it may show a very unusual sound – the age of Bariol. But the marine biologist John Calambokidis from Cascadia Research Collective suggests another possibility: “The longest whale”, so there is no name to respond to unique calls may not be abnormal. But is a clue
Calambokidis, who took more than 50 years to study animals such as whales, Whale Sisterspects 52, may be a hybrid: some whale
This creature is often called whale. It is growing more when the hot sea pushed the blues into the new breeding area where they were. More likely to breed with their fins Relatives of North Atlantic Blues published last year, found that DNA fins consist of If up to 3.5 percent of their genomesDistinctive numbers for both species Different 8.35 million years ago– If the 52 whale is a hybrid, of course, its appearance shows that genetic infiltration Balaenoptera MusculusIt is known to Blue among scientists and Balaenoptera Physalus The bones have occurred for decades, if not long. The discovery of the Northern Atlantic Ocean pointed out that it accelerated.
The breeding of whale animals has previously been recorded, especially among Narwhaals and Belugas, and between the two pilot whales, the combination of the hot sea pushed these animals into the new land and closely. But the breeding is more closely educated among life on land, such as Pizza Bear caused by Grizzly and polar bears. It is hardly understood in marine mammals, and no one knows about the integration that will have meaning to genetics, behavior and survival of the largest animal that has ever lived.
“The blue whale is still struggling to recover from whales for centuries, with some population remaining less than 5 percent of the past numbers,” Calambokidis said, while the number of hybrids that has been confirmed is still low.
Before the arrival of the function 30 years ago, marine biologists stated that the hybrids are mainly through science or physical education. If the animal shows the properties of two spy – the alkaline skin of the body, Narwhal and the fat of Beluka For example – It may be identified as hybrid according to the external characteristics or the small evidence of the skeleton may play roles: Hunt for whales in the past Recommend Blues and fins from time to time, although the match will not be most confirmed But the best definition can only reveal the first generation of two different species.
With the analysis of the DNA marine biologists, Aimee Lang can specify the integration of the past models revealed more complex history that had previously understood. This new details make the image complicated: Flues become more common or the researchers are installed better to find them. While scientists check the genetic signs of whales around the world, they hope to distinguish that the breeding is a new trend that is driven by climate change.
In any case, some marine biologists find this phenomenon because most Flues cannot be repeated. Although some women are abundant But men tend to be sterile These hybrids are a small part of the world's blue whale – which is not more than 25,000 remaining – but the unbalanced population of both species shows that they will increase. There are four times the fins of Blues around the world and the estimate of the waters around Iceland. 37,000 Finland to 3,000 Blues
“Three thousand do not have a very high density of animals,” Long said, which studied the genetics of mammals by sea in the ocean management and the national atmosphere. “So you can imagine that the female blue is looking for measures and she cannot find a blue whale. But there are whales all over the place. She will choose one of them. “
This has a deep impact for conservation.– If hybrids are not easily identified, it may lead to Improvement Of the blue whale population and difficulty in assessing the effectiveness of conservation programs More sterilized animals cannot be involved in their survival. Simply put, hybrid presents a threat to the long -term possibilities.
“If it happens often when the genome hybrid finally can grind the true blue whale,” said “It is possible that the hybrids are not adjusted to the environment, blue or pure fins, which means what the descendants produced are the end of the dead evolution.”
This may have a consequence for all ecosystems. Each type of whale plays a specific role in building confidence in the health of the marine ecosystem by managing the Krill population or providing essential nutrients such as steel. The hybrids that do not play the role of the evolution have assigned them to destroy biological relationships with the sea. “Those people and their children do not fully fill the ecology of both mother species,” said Calambokidis.
All of this increases the uncertainty caused by the chaos that is currently being proceeded. Many marine ecosystems are Experience the change of the regime – Sudden changes and often cannot return in the structure and work. These changes are pushing certain whales into small and separate swimming pools.
There is a reason for concerns other than blue whales. Rampage breeding among the 76 Orcas of the genetic, genetic and endangered, the cultivators of the southern whales of the Pacific Ocean, northwest is Reducing their life expectancy of almost halfWhen placed in a higher risk of harmful genetic characteristics, the weak immune system reduces the fertility and the death of the higher calf. Tahlequah Orca, the southern residents, became known all over the world in 2018 to carry a dead calf for 17 days. Disappeared again in January– Northern whales of the Atlantic Ocean 370 or more Face similar challenges–
The breeding of animals such as whale and some level of breeding may be inevitable because the species that are adjusted to the climate change. Some parts may be useful. The true concern is that these changes will overtake the ability of whales to survive or not. Smoke whales may be abnormal. But their existence is a symptom of a wider human disruption.
“There are examples of the population that are doing well, although they have a low genetic diversity and there are bad examples.” Wania Verira Leon, a population researcher at the center. Coast education In provincial, massachusetts “They may be correct under the current conditions. But if and when the conditions have changed more, that may flip “
“The effect may be what we call a bottle,” she added. “The loss of genetic diversity”
These changes tend to gradually resolve for humans to recognize quickly. Which is different from fish that have a quick life cycle and a clear population or whale collisions. There are about 30 generations of whales since most whales stopped. In truly grass, these pressures are creating a whale population. The researchers may need two people who will discover things under the waves and anything. If anything, WHALE 52 may talk about this.
This article originally appeared in Stone at https://grist.org/oceans/what-the-worlds-loneliest-whale-may-e-in-about-about-limate-change/– Grist is an independent media organization that is dedicated to the score of a fairly solving climate and future. Learn more at Grist.org–