Saint Mary’s University gets funding to enhance the DNA database for endangered North Atlantic right whales, aiding vital research.
Halifax: Researchers at Saint Mary’s University just scored some funding to update their DNA database for the North Atlantic right whale, which is critically endangered. This is a big deal for the whales!
They’ve been tracking these whales using DNA samples since the late 1980s. Over the years, they’ve built a database that helps identify individual whales without just relying on sight. It’s super handy for figuring out family trees and even tracking blubber that might wash up on the beach.
Right now, the database has genetic profiles for about 700 right whales. With this new funding from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, they plan to reanalyze those samples using some fresh techniques.
Timothy Frasier, who leads the genetic work, mentioned that they currently look at 36 regions of each whale’s genome. But with the new funding, they’ll be able to check out 300 regions! That’s a huge upgrade.
Frasier, who teaches biology, said this will not only give them a clearer picture of the genome but also make the process more efficient and less prone to mistakes. The funding kicks off in March and can be renewed each year until 2028, with an annual budget of up to $33,960.
Sean Brillant, a senior conservation biologist, pointed out that this database helps researchers understand how many female whales are having calves and how often. Modernizing it could lead to quicker and more accurate results.
When they spot a calf, knowing who the parents are helps researchers understand the timing of births. Ideally, a female right whale should wait about three years between calves, but that doesn’t always happen. Delays can signal stress in the population.
Brillant also mentioned that tracking the DNA helps measure genetic diversity. Even though inbreeding is a concern due to their small numbers, there’s evidence suggesting it doesn’t hurt their genetic diversity too much.
He believes they have a population with decent genetic diversity, which is a good sign for their survival.
Philip Hamilton, a senior scientist, added that the DNA database works alongside a photo catalog of nearly all living right whales, which has over two million pictures. Most whales can be identified by their unique skin patterns, but since calves don’t have those yet, the DNA database is crucial for identifying them.
Hamilton is excited about the funding, as it opens up new research possibilities. He’s looking forward to solving some mysteries about dead whales they’ve encountered in the past.
Sadly, it’s estimated that there are fewer than 400 North Atlantic right whales left in the world. Let’s hope this research helps turn things around for them!
