Physiological adaptations in cetaceans: from conservation to translational biomedicine

Physiological adaptations in cetaceans: from conservation to translational biomedicine

Yara Bernaldo de Quirós Miranda, a researcher at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, visit us visit present the discussion paper: "Physiological Adaptations in Cetaceans: From Conservation to Translational Biomedicine."

Cetaceans are sentinels of the ocean: as long-lived predators with a wide distribution, they reflect changes in marine ecosystems and the availability resources. To correctly interpret these signals, it is essential to understand how they function—their physiology. Studying their physiology allows us to understand the adaptive mechanisms that sustain their survival in an extreme environment and, in particular, to assess their resilience to stressors such as climate change or overfishing. However, studying them in the wild presents significant logistical and methodological limitations, which hinders access to core topic physiological information. In this context, the analysis of stranded animals offers a unique opportunity to address these issues, allowing us to study how they manage their energy balance, how they store and use their reserves under conditions of energy deficit, and what physiological limits condition their ability to respond and survive—and, therefore, their conservation.

Furthermore, understanding the physiological adaptations of cetaceans to diving can provide valuable insights for translational biomedicine. These animals, despite their longevity and exposure to continuous changes in blood flow with repeated cycles of hypoxia, maintain arterial function without developing cardiovascular pathologies common in humans. Understanding these mechanisms opens new avenues for studying arterial aging and development to prevent cardiovascular disease in humans, thereby linking the conservation of these species to potential advances in human health.