Into the Blue: Evolutionary Adaptations Associated with the Diversification of Baleen Whales

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

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Language: Английский

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Palaeoproteomic identification of a whale bone tool from Bronze Age Heiloo, the Netherlands

Peer Community Journal, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 4

Published: Aug. 30, 2024

Identification of the taxonomic origin bone tools is an important, but often complicated, component studying past societies. The species used for tool production provide insight into what were exploited, potentially how, and purpose. Additionally, choice may have important implications place within larger toolkit. However, identification unsuccessful based on morphology. Here we apply three palaeoproteomic techniques, ZooMS, SPIN-like data analysis a targeted database search to narrow down unusually large Bronze Age from Heiloo, Netherlands, North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis). was investigated use-wear, which showed that it likely processing plant fibres. assignment as adds support exploitation whales by coastal populations, not just meat, previously suggested, also resource production. We know no other parallel such this in terms size, use, hafting, identity.

Language: Английский

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The tympanoperiotic complex of the blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus

The Anatomical Record, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 307(9), P. 3041 - 3070

Published: Jan. 31, 2024

The tympanoperiotic complex of a blue whale Balaenoptera musculus is described and compared to the homologous structures in other extant fossil baleen species. periotic tympanic bulla represent informative anatomical regions both functional phylogenetic studies for this reason micro-CT scan bones was performed order better characterize their external aspect reconstruct inner structures. In particular, cochlea, semicircular canals associated portions are reconstructed so that these may be used analyses. We observed characterized by presence strong dorsal protrusion which posteriorly bordered previously undescribed morphological character we name posterotransverse fossa. peculiar shape anterior process en echelon organization posterior foramina pars cochlearis also compared. From perspective, confirmed closely related fin whale, physalus, but it suggested, based on ear bone characters only, diverged before balaenopterid species phylogeny Balaenopteridae. This placement supports series observations suggesting an early-diverging member Balaenoptera. Our results help decipher evolutionary origin largest living animal, allowing new more detailed analyses record.

Language: Английский

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The Evolutionary History of Baleen Whales in The Genome Era

Published: April 30, 2024

Humans have been changing landscapes and biodiversity at a global scale tosupply the needs of an exponentially growing population. The rapid development anddeployment technology enabled humans to explore natural resources in anunprecedented manner. As human population increased, reductions wildpopulations followed. How long can exploited populations sustain humans? Willpopulations that recovered from substantial reduction thrive? What history teachus about how maintain biodiversity? At same time, has revolutionizedscience many ways. A good example is genomics. Now we are able obtain completegenome data organisms unprecedented scales, times, costs. hiddeninformation coded billions DNA nucleotides excellent means access past,understand present, project future. An interesting animal group toinvestigate above questions baleen whales. Their enigmatic underwater life,complex evolutionary histories, drastic past during commercialwhaling, recent recovery, provide unique opportunity empirically assess somecommonly held assumptions genetics theory make predictionsconcerning genomic legacy contemporary populations.This thesis explores information contained complete genomes ofbaleen whales, largest vertebrates on Earth. Employing cutting-edge analyses thegenome era, I attempted in-depth investigation long-term recentevolutionary This offers insight into some whales'complex phylogenetic relationships, genome-wide glimpse current pastgenetic diversity, changes mutations, most notably, theimpact exploitation

Language: Английский

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Into the Blue: Exploring genetic mechanisms behind the evolution of baleen whales

Gene, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 929, P. 148822 - 148822

Published: Aug. 3, 2024

Marine ecosystems are ideal for studying evolutionary adaptations involved in lineage diversification due to few physical barriers and reduced opportunities strict allopatry compared terrestrial ecosystems. Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises) a diverse group of mammals that successfully adapted various habitats within the aquatic environment around 50 million years ago. While overall adaptive transition from fully species is relatively well understood, radiation modern whales still unclear. Here high-quality genomes derived previously published data were used identify genomic regions potentially underpinned baleen (Balaenopteridae). A robust molecular phylogeny was reconstructed based on 10,159 single copy complete genes eight mysticetes, seven odontocetes two cetacean outgroups. Analysis positive selection across 3,150 revealed balaenopterids have undergone numerous idiosyncratic convergent variations may explain their diversification. Genes associated with aging, survival homeostasis enriched all species. Additionally, immune system disclosed largest species, blue fin whales. Such can be ascribed morphological evolution, allowing them attain greater length increased cell number. Further evidence presented about gene might contributed extensive anatomical changes shown by cetaceans, including adaptation distinct environments diets. This study contributes our understanding basis linked radiation, thereby enhancing evolution.

Language: Английский

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The application of baleen whale genomes in conservation and evolutionary research

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Baleen whales (Mysticeti) are a clade of highly adapted carnivorous marine mammals that can reach extremely large body sizes and feature characteristic keratinaceous baleen plates used for obligate filter feeding. From conservation perspective, nearly all whale species were hunted extensively over roughly 100 years lasting time period depleted many the respective stocks with so far unknown consequences e.g. their molecular viability. an evolutionary lack fossil records together conflicting patterns resulted in still unclear debated phylogeny modern whales, particularly rorquals (Balaenopteridae). In this dissertation, I will demonstrate application genomes to tackle these open questions by using approaches genomics. Conservation genomic aspects addressed two projects, both whole genome data either Icelandic fin (Balaenoptera physalus) population or multiple blue musculus) populations evaluate impact industrial whaling era on The results suggest substantial drop effective size but also manifestation genotypes when compared populations. Especially rare short runs homozygosity (ROH), usually indicative inbreeding, frequent outcrossing while analyzed featured long ROH. addition analyses, was further if northern hemisphere diverged into different subspecies. Population genetic gene flow analyses showed clearly separated well isolated accordance assumed geographical distance. contrast, genome-wide divergence between low other cetacean next closely related sei species. Because includes morphologically recognized pygmy subspecies, proposal made equally categorize northern-hemisphere as Evolutionary third project, constructing right (Caperea marginata) testing its potential phylogenetics cancer research. Phylogenomic fragments whole-genome alignment featuring extant allowed revision complex relationships quantifying characterizing amounts conflicts early diverging branches. These identify phylogenetically independent pairs maximum differences compare rates positive selection genomes. evenly distributed frequencies alternative topologies which supports representation hard polytomy high introgression incomplete lineage sorting. Within set available data, three found comparisons potentially genes. conserved patterns, however, more convergent evolution resistance like previously discussed paleontology. conclusion, methods genetics comprehensive estimation about viability assessment taxonomic status rather underlines importance monitoring because show varying depletions. Furthermore, showcased whale, important may be management most likely contribute overcome under-classification problem. research characterization within especially understanding evolution. here support idea gigantism guide search responsible Peto’s paradox.

Language: Английский

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