Articles tagged with Whales
University of British Columbia researchers identified a gene in balsam fir trees that can facilitate the production of plant-based fixatives and scents, potentially replacing whale barf-derived ambergris. This discovery could lead to more sustainable and cost-effective production methods for high-end perfumes.
Researchers discovered that false killer whales can focus their echolocation beams on targets using a strategy called 'acoustic squint', increasing beam width when faced with harder tasks. By plotting the path of acoustic beams, they found that wider beams were focused furthest away, allowing Kina to target specific objects.
Scientists discovered a 3-4 million-year-old toothed whale species, Bohaskaia monodontoides, that lived in warm water regions and shared features with belugas and narwhals. The fossil skull found in Virginia suggests its modern relatives' Arctic adaptations evolved recently.
Researchers found that giant squids' large eyes are better suited for spotting large objects, like whales, rather than average prey. Their 10-inch eyes allow them to see predators from a distance despite the dim light of their underwater habitat.
Researchers found that giant squids' large eyes collect more light, improving their ability to detect small contrast differences and bioluminescence. The boost in detecting low-light differences is critical for spotting approaching sperm whales, but the squid's escape is not entirely dependent on its eye size.
A genetic survey of Antarctic blue whales found a surprisingly high level of diversity among the surviving population, which may help them slowly rebound from catastrophic decimation. The study tracked individual movements and revealed some whales traveled over 6,650 kilometers in four years.
Research published in PLoS ONE found that blue whales change their vocal behavior when exposed to man-made noise from sonar and ship sounds, regardless of frequency overlap. The study suggests a strong probability of noise affecting the vocal behavior of blue whales, with long-term implications unknown.
A recent study found humpback whales on opposite sides of the southern Indian Ocean singing unique songs, with only one shared theme. The results suggest limited exchange between regions and shed light on how whale culture spreads.
Research reveals that rates of size decrease are much faster than growth rates, with dwarfism occurring in just 100,000 generations. It takes at least 24 million generations for large-scale changes in body size to occur.
Research reveals mammals reached maximum size after dinosaurs extinction, with sea mammals doubling time compared to land mammals, while extreme dwarfism occurred in just 100,000 generations.
Researchers combined scientific observations with Canadian Inuit traditional knowledge to determine Arctic killer whale behaviour and diet. Arctic killer whales primarily eat marine mammals, such as seals and bowhead whales, but little is known about their prey preference.
A new global study found that humans have consumed at least 87 different marine mammal species since 1990, with many being caught accidentally as bycatch in fishing nets. The study highlights the urgent need for better monitoring and conservation efforts to protect these iconic species.
Researchers suggest allocating sustainable annual whale-catch quotas to members of the International Whaling Commission, making them tradable in a global market. This approach could reduce whales harvested annually from two thousand to zero, according to proponents.
Experiments with social amoebae reveal that cooperation depends on kinship, and population bottlenecks can stabilize cellular cooperation. The study found that nearly all multicellular organisms begin life as a single cell, and that cheater mutants are more likely to occur in groups where relatedness is low.
Researchers found that cooperation among amoebae depends on their genetic relatedness, with low-relatedness populations exhibiting high cheating rates. The study suggests that population bottlenecks can stabilize cellular cooperation by eliminating diversity and restarting the population from a single cell.
Researchers have unearthed a prehistoric bronze artifact made of cast metal found in an ancient Eskimo dwelling in Alaska, which likely originated in East Asia around A.D. 600. The discovery suggests long-distance trade between continents.
Scientists discovered a 3-4 million year old fossil of a whale rib with three tooth marks from a large shark, indicating the whale survived the attack. The whale's death may have been unrelated to its injury and infection.
A new study suggests that Chinook salmon populations must increase significantly to sustain the growth of Southern Resident killer whales, currently facing decline. The research, published in PLOS ONE, provides a detailed model for managing both species' conservation.
Researchers are developing innovative technologies to improve hearing, including adaptive noise control and speech enhancement. Additionally, musical training has been shown to enhance speech perception, while artificial ears inspired by bats and ultrasounds are being explored for medical applications.
Antarctic killer whales perform rapid migrations to warmer tropical waters in search of relief from cold temperatures. The whales shed their thick layer of diatoms, which helps with skin regeneration in the warmer environment.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that live stranded dolphins form gas bubbles in their tissues, but can often manage them and resume normal lives. The researchers suggest that marine mammals may be able to regulate bubble formation through routine management.
Scientists have revised their estimate of the North Pacific humpback whale population, increasing it from 20,000 to possibly over 21,000. This new research uses a refined statistical analysis of data compiled in 2008 and suggests a strong recovery from whaling.
Researchers at the University of Montreal developed a computer program to evaluate tradeoffs between marine mammal conservation, whale watching, and marine transportation. The model simulates the comings and goings of five whale species and three types of boats, allowing regulators to make data-driven decisions to reduce collisions and...
University of Pennsylvania researchers have developed a new technique for analyzing phylogenies, showing that the results stand up against known fossil history of whale species. The method allows for changing rates of speciation and extinction over time and among lineages.
A new study found that ancient whale skulls were asymmetric, suggesting they may have used directional hearing to navigate in water before the development of echolocation. This finding contradicts previous theories and sheds light on the evolution of whales.
Researchers found that ancient whale skulls were asymmetrical, suggesting a link to directional hearing in water. This discovery contradicts the idea that asymmetry evolved later as an adaptation for echolocation.
North Atlantic right whales in Cape Cod Bay are at high risk of being struck by boat propellers while feeding on copepods, which school just below the surface. Researchers have found that these whales spend most of their time between the surface and 13 feet below, making them invisible to boats.
A study on Southern Resident killer whales found that they mate within their own pods, leading to a reduction in genetic diversity. This behavior may be unique to the population's small size and could put them at risk of genetically deteriorating further.
A study suggests gray whales thrived during glacial periods with diverse food sources, supporting higher population estimates than today. Researchers analyzed California gray whale responses to climate change over 120,000 years.
A new study reveals details of the first documented cookiecutter shark attack on a live human, highlighting concerns for swimmers entering warm summer waters. The sharks' unique feeding behavior leaves victims with crater-like wounds requiring plastic surgery, and their bioluminescent features may aid in tracking movement patterns.
A new study shows that southern right whales from remote sub-Antarctic islands have found their way back to New Zealand's mainland, indicating a potential return of this endangered species. The whales' strong 'maternal fidelity' helped them remember ancestral calving grounds, enabling them to migrate and breed in their former habitat.
Humpback whales employ complex feeding maneuvers involving bubble nets to corral and contain planktonic prey. The study reveals novel behaviors such as 'double-loops' and team cooperation, showcasing advanced tool use similar to that of apes.
A decade-long study of apex predators in the Pacific Ocean has found that biological 'hotspots' are essential for the survival of many species. Upwelling areas, triggered by wind-driven mixing, create nutrient-rich waters that support a wide range of marine life.
Researchers at the Smithsonian Institution have found that whale sharks can be gregarious and gather in large numbers to feed on dense patches of fish eggs. The team's DNA barcoding analysis revealed a previously unknown spawning ground for little tunny, a member of the mackerel family.
Researchers at Dalhousie University have found that sperm whales use distinct codas to communicate, with different sounds indicating individual identity and social status. The study also highlights the impact of human pollution on whale communication, which is crucial for their survival in the deep ocean.
Researchers found that bottlenose dolphins and beluga whales accumulate more chemical pollutants when living and feeding in waters near urbanized areas. POPs were detected in the highest concentrations, with PCBs being the most prevalent pollutant.
Researchers tracked over 300 humpback whales and 2 million tons of krill in Wilhelmina Bay, revealing a critical late-season foraging ground for the endangered whales. Climate change is affecting the region, with rapid reduction of sea ice cover impacting krill survival.
Researchers found beaked whales use specific ocean features like salinity and temperature to find their prey, which varies from 400-1000 meters. The study provides evidence of the distribution and feeding habitat of Blaineville's beaked whales relative to ocean features.
Research suggests right whales stay in Gulf of Maine area during spring due to vertical migration of copepods, allowing them to feed below surface. This behavior helps them outcompete herring for food, contradicting earlier thought that declining herring stocks would threaten their population
Researchers found that male humpbacks sing the same mating tune, but with changing patterns over time, spreading across the ocean from west to east. The study revealed cultural transmission on a broad scale, similar to humans, as songs spread between populations in the Pacific Ocean.
Researchers observed killer whales favoring Weddell seals as their primary target despite the availability of other prey species. The study provides insight into the cooperative hunting behavior of killer whales in Antarctic waters.
A WHOI-led research team found that beaked whales respond to naval sonar exercises by ceasing foraging and making slow ascents to the surface. The study suggests that whales may require lower exposure thresholds than current regulations, but appropriate monitoring can reduce the risk of stranding.
New study reveals humpback whale wintering grounds extend throughout Hawaiian Islands and into NWHI, contradicting previous assumptions. The discovery provides insights into the species' migration patterns and geographic expansion.
Researchers discovered that blue whales can consume up to 2,000,000 kJ in a single mouthful of krill, providing 240 times more energy than used during a dive. This efficiency is due to the massive size of their mouths, which allow them to engulf large volumes of food.
A recent study found that most deep-sea animals at Monterey Bay whale falls are not unique to these sites, but rather common in other deep-sea environments. However, certain species, such as Osedax worms and snails, play a crucial role in controlling community development.
Scientists have discovered that whales' feces pump up ocean productivity, increasing phytoplankton growth and secondary productivity. This boost has a significant impact on fisheries, resulting in bigger fisheries and higher fish abundances.
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that ocean acidification would only affect whale hearing by a negligible 2 decibels by 2100. The impact on marine animals relies heavily on natural noise levels, not human-made noise from ships.
Researchers have developed a new way to peer into the inner workings of proteins and detect specific atoms at work. By analyzing myoglobin's structure and motion, they identified the critical amino acid controlling oxygen binding, with implications for custom-crafted proteins and biotechnologies.
Researchers have found genetic evidence that baleen whales lost their teeth 25 million years ago, a finding that matches the fossil record. The study used genetic analysis to show that a transposable genetic element was inserted into the enamel production gene in the common ancestor of baleen whales.
A team of researchers has developed a simulation to better understand the impact of sound on marine mammals like whales and dolphins. The simulation uses advanced computing and X-ray CT scanners to create a 3D virtual environment, allowing scientists to study the effects of sound on these organisms.
A study by University of Illinois Chicago biologist Jennifer Schmidt found that a female whale shark produced 304 embryos with the same father, suggesting she stores sperm after a single mating event. This finding could indicate that mating occurs as an isolated event rather than in breeding grounds.
Researchers found that blue whales align their pitch with a common value, enabling them to detect tiny shifts in calls. The study analyzed 4,378 recordings of blue whale songs and observed a remarkably small variation in pitch.
Research reveals that North American right whales adjust their calls in response to increased ocean noise levels, maintaining signal-to-noise ratio while incurring costs. This adaptation is crucial for successful communication in a noisy ocean, but its long-term effects on whale behavior and population health remain uncertain.
A study on killer whales and pilot whales reveals a common link with humans in the evolution of menopause. Females in these species become genetically related to those they live with as they get older, leading to a 'grandmother' role that helps ensure group survival.
Researchers discover rapid expansion of salmon farms in Chile's protected National Park, posing a significant threat to native sea lions and the entire ecosystem. The farms' waste, medication, and noise pollution are causing devastating impacts on the region's biodiversity.
Researchers analyzed genetic evidence from 139 killer whales and found clear differences among species in the Antarctic and North Pacific. The study suggests that two types of killer whales are separate species, with additional analysis needed to confirm other possible species.
Researchers at Kiel University discovered fossil whale bones with 0.5mm circular boreholes matching those of living Osedax worms, dating to 30 million years ago. The findings confirm that boneworms are at least 30 million years old and were feeding on whale bones during this period.
A study by Oregon State University scientists has confirmed that whale meat sold at a Los Angeles sushi restaurant came from a sei whale killed in Japan's scientific whaling program. Genetic testing also revealed similar products were sold in Seoul, South Korea, underscoring the ongoing illegal trade of whalemeat products.
Scientists on a research vessel are trawling for prey of sperm whales in the northern Gulf of Mexico to gather data on their feeding ecology. The study will help conserve and protect these endangered large whales by understanding how they utilize their environment.
Researchers at George Mason University and the University of Otago found a strong correlation between diatom diversity and whale species diversity over the last 30 million years. The study suggests that changes in ocean productivity may drive variations in whale fossil records, providing new insights into the evolution of modern whales.