17 December 2024: New study reveals how climate change is reshaping the future of white-beaked dolphins

A recent study by Gose and colleagues, titled “Population genomics of the white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris): Implications for conservation amid climate-driven range shifts”, was published in Heredity in February 2024. The research takes a deep dive into the genetic makeup of white-beaked dolphins, uncovering how climate change is impacting their distribution and raising important questions for their conservation.

As ocean temperatures rise, white-beaked dolphins are shifting their range northward, potentially entering new ecosystems and facing both opportunities and threats. Using advanced genomic tools, the researchers explored how these changes might affect long-term survival, genetic diversity, and population structure. Population structure refers to how groups within a species are divided based on traits like genetics or location, helping scientists understand how they live, reproduce, and adapt.

Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41437-024-00672-7

Photo credit: Kjell Fagerheim