Bristol Bay belugas尽管数量少,却利用多种交配来维持遗传健康。 Bristol Bay belugas use diverse mating to maintain genetic health despite small numbers.

对布里斯托尔湾白鲸进行的一项为期13年的研究揭示了几十年来与多个伙伴的男女伴侣,创造了一个保持高度遗传多样性的多基因系统,尽管人口很少,约有2,000人。 A 13-year study of Bristol Bay’s beluga whales reveals both males and females mate with multiple partners over decades, creating a polygynandrous system that maintains high genetic diversity despite a small population of about 2,000. 对623条鲸鱼的DNA分析显示,大多数幼崽是半生的,表明经常交配。 DNA analysis of 623 whales shows most calves are half-siblings, indicating frequent mate switching. 雄性表现出中度多毛性,可能是由于寿命长至90年,而雌性则在季节之间改变伴侣,可能是为了避免婚后或低质量的伴侣。 Males exhibit moderate polygyny, likely due to long lifespans up to 90 years, while females change partners between seasons, possibly to avoid inbreeding or poor-quality mates. 这种生殖行为可增强遗传复原力,防止繁殖和增加有效人口规模。 This reproductive behavior boosts genetic resilience, preventing inbreeding and increasing effective population size. 与土著社区开展的研究突出表明,配对模式如何支持长期生存,以及如何为养护战略提供信息。 The research, conducted with Indigenous communities, underscores how mating patterns support long-term survival and informs conservation strategies.