Bones found at the beach. Scientists have examined its DNA and have devastating conclusions
Research conducted by Oregon State University indicates that whaling, widespread in the 20th century, could have had a negative impact on the diversity of contemporary animals. This is evidenced by the beached bones of giant whales on which DNA tests were performed.
Oct 4, 2023 | updated: 8:58 AM EDT, October 5, 2023
Scientists have decided to examine the remains that were found on a beach in the southern part of Georgia state, near the abandoned research stations of these enormous animals.
They compared old bones with the DNA of modern whales. The result of the study was surprising, even for the researchers themselves.
It turned out that whaling (which was particularly fashionable in the 20th century) not only contributed to a significant reduction in the population of these extraordinary animals.
Surprising discovery of scientists
Scientific research proves that frequent whaling has significantly reduced the species in terms of DNA diversity. Evidence of this is seen in the marks on the bones.
DNA loss was observed, among others, in blue whales and humpbacks.
In the DNA passed down from generation to generation, among other things, is the animal's cultural memory, feeding place, and reproduction site. If the mother's pedigree is destroyed, a characteristic feature for a specific species will simply disappear - said the main author of the study, Angela Sremba, who conducted the research as part of her doctoral studies in Oregon.
Scientists indicate that hunting has significantly reduced the population of the world's largest whales. Hunters were looking for the largest specimens they could catch.
Off the coast of southern Georgia, over 175,000 whales have been killed over the past 60 years. Around the world, fishermen have even killed 2 million of these animals. Although the global whale population has begun to recover, still other species are at risk of extinction.
