A whale that was caught off Iceland recently that had the appearance characteristics of both blue whiting and longline whale came to Matís for analysis of genotype. There was great uncertainty as to whether the whale was a blue whale, which is a fully protected species, or a hybrid between a blue whale and a longline whale, as the animal had the appearance of both species. Domestic and foreign experts did not agree on whether, but blue whiting fishing is completely illegal. It was therefore important to decide as soon as possible what species the animal was.
Samples from the animal together with other samples from longliners, blue whales and the four hybrids of longliners and blue whales that have previously been caught in Iceland came to Matís for genetic analysis. The analysis is based on the sequencing of a mitochondrial genome that is unique to each species and inherited only from the mother, and a genetic analysis of 15 genetic markers using microsatellite variability.
Matís' genetic analysis revealed that this was a hybrid whale. The mitochondrial analysis showed that the mother of the hybrid was a blue whale, but the 15-gene analysis was a hybrid. Experts from Matís and the Marine Research Institute analyzed the data and processed the results.
You can learn more about this genetic analysis and research on the website Marine Research Institute.
Contact Davíð Gíslason expert, davidg@matis.is.