Genome Study Provides Important Insight on Endangered Vaquita Native to Mexico’s Gulf of California
The most comprehensive genetic assessment to date of the vaquita, the world's rarest marine mammal, is offering a glimmer of hope that this small tropical porpoise native to Mexico's Gulf of California may avoid extinction despite its population dwindling to about 10.Researchers said on Thursday genome data from 20 vaquitas showed that while the species possesses low genetic diversity — differences in the DNA among the various individuals — the number of potentially harmful mutations that could endanger its survival…