The whales are still mostly endangered, even though conservation policies have been protecting many whale species from extinction. There are still threats to the whales' survival though, and one whales extinction reason might be a genetic mutation that could threaten their survival.
A genetic mutation is affecting whales' eyesight, which in the sea is important for its survival. In particular, right whales are affected by this genetic mutation. The right whale is critically endangered, with less than 500 recorded in the Western Atlantic Ocean, according to Science Daily.
The study of this genetic mutation on right whales is being done by Lorian Schweikert, a doctoral student from the Florida Institute of Technology and her adviser, Michael Grace, who is a Professor of Neuroscience and the Senior Associate Dean of Science. Also working with them is Jeffry Fasick, Assistant Professor of Biology from the University of Tampa.
Right whales have a genetic mutation that causes the light-detecting proteins in whale's cone photoreceptor cells in the eyes to be missing. For humans, there are several cone opsin genes, which thus give excellent color vision. For whales, there is only one, and in some species that is even broken, the Florida Institute of Technology state on its site.
To study this mutation, the researchers looked at the retina of the bowhead whale. They found that functional cone cells are missing from the bowhead whale, though rod cells remain in them. Whales then could see in low light conditions, but could not distinguish colors clearly or see well in bright light.
What Experts Say About This As A Whales Extinction Reason
"Cone cells are normally required for vision in bright light," explained Schweikert. He further said that right whales might have poor vision whenever they come to the surface to breathe. Whales could then get into trouble with it, such as being entangled in nets or running into surface crafts.
Grace said that this study could help in the conservation efforts for whales, as it is critical for their survival. He also noted that the study could also help in research on human eyesight. Whales continue to be protected as many of them are still endangered, and genetic mutation could become one whales extinction reason.
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