New effort will analyze the genes of northwest killer whales in danger of extinction.
New effort will analyze the genes of northwest killer whales in danger of extinction.
A new scientific effort will sequence the genomes of Pacific Northwest Orcas that are critically endangered to better understand their genetics and, potentially, find ways to save them from extinction.
The collaboration announced Thursday involves scientists with the Northwest Fisheries Science Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the non-profit Nature Conservancy and BGI, a global genomics company.
The project will sequence the genome, the complete genetic code of a living being, of more than 100 Southern resident killer whales that use skin or other samples collected from live and dead killer whales over the past two decades. Initial results are expected for next year.
The scientists said the information could help explain, for example, whether internal factors, such as inbreeding or genetic variation in immune systems, prevent whales from recovering.
The distinctive black and white killer whales have fought against pollution, the noise of ships and the shortage of their favorite prey, chinook salmon. The death of a young orca last month, despite an international effort of one week to save her, leaves only 74 in a group that has not been successfully reproduced in the last three years. That is the lowest number in more than 30 years.
"This will help fill some really critical gaps in our understanding of why the population is not recovering," said Mike Ford, director of conservation biology at the Northwest Science Center in Seattle, during a press conference at the office. of BGI in Seattle. "As we fill those gaps that will lead us to potentially better solutions."
Ford was the lead author of a study published earlier this year that found that only two male whales spawned half of the calves born and sampled by scientists since 1990.
"Inbreeding could be a problem, but we do not have enough data to study that in depth," Ford said.
Inbreeding, for example, could affect whether a female orca will become pregnant, whether it will have a calf or the likelihood that the calf will survive.
Female killer whales have had pregnancy problems due to nutritional stress related to the lack of salmon. A multi-year study conducted last year by the University of Washington and other researchers found that two-thirds of orca pregnancies failed between 2007 and 2014.
The BGI Group will sequence the orcas' genomes and provide analysis and results to EE fisheries biologists. UU And other scientists. They will compare that research with the genomes of the Alaskan killer whale population that have thrived, as well as transient whales that feed on mammals.
Yiwu He, executive director of BGI Groups USA in Seattle, said that like many others in the region, he and his family have been captivated by the iconic whales that spend time in the inland waters of Washington state.
"We really want to do something to help," he said, adding that genome sequencing could help answer questions about why animals do not breed. He noted that BGI has extensive experience in the sequencing of complete genomes of humans, plants and animals.
Ford said the results could put in context other problems faced by whales, such as lack of prey or pollution, and could lead to different solutions. Whales that have weaker immune systems due to the lack of genetic diversity of immune system genes, for example, may warrant more active treatment or management in the future.
"We do not know what we're going to find," Ford said, adding, "Maybe we'll learn something new about the population we do not yet know."
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