DNA study finds rarest cetacean, only found in Gulf of California, has enough genetic diversity to recover - if gillnet ban is enforced Scientists studying the DNA of the world's smallest cetacean and rarest marine mammal, the vaquita porpoise, have made a surprising and bittersweet discovery. With a tiny population of fewer than 10 individuals left, the mammal was assumed by conservationists to be at a similar risk of harmful mutations and inbreeding as other species with small gene pools.
Vaquita porpoise could survive ... but only if illegal fishing stops immediately
The Guardian - 5 May 2022 20:00
DNA study finds rarest cetacean, only found in Gulf of California, has enough genetic diversity to recover - if gillnet ban is enforced Scientists studying the DNA of the world's smallest cetacean and rarest marine mammal, the vaquita porpoise, have made a surprising and bittersweet discovery. With a tiny population of fewer than 10 individuals left, the mammal was assumed by conservationists to be at a similar risk of harmful mutations and inbreeding as other species with small gene pools.
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