Whales feel only the taste of salt

According to biologists, the whales and dolphins can only feel the salty taste.

Researchers from the UK and China examined the DNA of 12 different species of whales and dolphins.

All 12 species, they found that genes encoding sweet, sour, and bitter taste receptors for degraded to a high degree of futility. That is, marine mammals can only feel the taste of sea salt. According to experts, evolutionary mutation is the likely cause of such loss.

Zoologist Huabin Zhao of the University of Wuhan feared that these unique features can harm the sea animals, because of the high content of harmful substances in the ocean. "The loss of bitter taste is a complete surprise, because natural toxins usually have a bitter taste."

Source: nauka24news.ru/