ABOVE: ROBERT K. BONDE, USGS - GAINESVILLE
Organophosphates, a class of chemicals that includes weapons such as sarin and agricultural pesticides, could pose a unique risk to marine mammals, according to a study in the August 10 issue of Science. Ocean-dwelling animals that trace their ancestry to various land mammals independently acquired mutations in the gene PON1 that render it useless in breaking down the chemicals, researchers found.
“Marine mammals may be at a great disadvantage in the Anthropocene if run-off of this agricultural product [organophosphates] into the marine environment continues,” the study authors write in their paper.
The researchers came upon PON1 while looking for common genetic changes associated with the transition from land to sea. Such an evolution has occurred at least three times, giving rise to today’s whales and dolphins; manatees and dugongs; and walruses and sea lions. Among other adaptations among all the marine mammals, a ...
