Phylogeny-based estimates suggesting a low germline mutation rate (μ) in baleen whales have influenced research ranging from assessments of whaling impacts to evolutionary cancer biology. We estimated μ directly from pedigrees in four baleen whale species for both the mitochondrial control region and nuclear genome. The results suggest values higher than those obtained through phylogeny-based estimates and similar to pedigree-based values for primates and toothed whales. Applying our estimate of μ reduces previous genetic–based estimates of pre-exploitation whale abundance by 86% and suggests that μ cannot explain low cancer rates in gigantic mammals. Our study shows that it is feasible to estimate μ directly from pedigrees in natural populations, with wide-ranging implications for ecological and evolutionary research.
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Suarez Menendez, M. (Creator), Bérubé, M. (Creator), Garcia Furni, F. (Creator), Rivera Leon, V. E. (Creator), Heide-Jørgensen, M. P. (Creator), Larsen, F. (Creator), Sears, R. (Creator), Ramp, C. (Creator), Eriksson, B. K. (Creator), Etienne, R. (Creator), Robbins, J. (Creator), Palsbøll, P. (Creator) (31-Aug-2023). Wild pedigrees inform mutation rates and historic abundance in baleen whales. DRYAD. 10.5061/dryad.9kd51c5pq