Articles tagged with Whales
Eastern North Pacific gray whales experience extreme population swings due to changing Arctic Ocean conditions. Long-term monitoring data reveals a bumpy ride in response to variable ocean conditions.
A study of 162 killer whales found that their diet played a significant role in contaminant levels and potential health risks. The researchers analyzed the animals' diets and found striking differences in legacy and emerging contaminant concentrations across the North Atlantic.
A genetic study has decoded the lineage of 'Old Tom,' a famous killer whale in Australia, and found ancestral connections to modern-day New Zealand orcas. The research also reveals that the killer whales of Eden may have become extinct locally due to a lack of shared DNA with other killer whales globally.
Researchers at Hokkaido University report the discovery of a stranded ginkgo-toothed beaked whale from Southern Hokkaido, revealing new insights into the species' distribution and ecology. The finding expands the species' known range to include colder waters of the North Pacific.
A study from Oregon State University found that commercial whaling in the 20th century led to a loss of maternal DNA lineages among blue and humpback whales, potentially resulting in cultural memory loss. Whale populations near South Georgia Island have begun to recover, but the genetic diversity remains low.
Researchers analyzed 78 documented incidents of porpoise harassment by Southern Resident killer whales from 1962 to 2020. The study suggests three plausible explanations: mismothering behavior, limited opportunities to care for young due to malnutrition, and a specialized salmon diet that makes eating porpoises highly unlikely.
Researchers found that humpback whales worldwide were observed rolling with and playing in clumps of kelp and seaweed at the water's surface. The behavior may serve benefits in ectoparasite removal, skin treatment, and socializing.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 72% of US-managed cetacean and pinniped stocks are highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change. The researchers used a trait-based climate vulnerability assessment framework to evaluate the impacts on marine mammals.
A team of scientists used a new method to estimate mutation rates in wild whale populations, revealing higher rates similar to smaller mammals. This led to a significant revision of previous estimates, suggesting that only 20,000 humpback whales remained in the North Atlantic before commercial whaling.
A 2020 excavation at Auckland's Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant yielded an unprecedented 266 fossil species, including the world's oldest known flax snails and extinct sawshark spine. The discovery provides valuable insights into New Zealand's geological history.
Sperm and northern bottlenose whales frequently feed on live halibut escaping from a deep-sea trawler net. The study found that these whales were only spotted when the catch was Greenland halibut, not redfish or thorny skate.
A remote part of the Indian Ocean is home to 12 species of cetaceans, including orcas and sperm whales, prompting calls for protection. The Saya de Malha bank area should be designated as an Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) or Marine Protected Area (MPA).
Researchers have found a 20,000-year-old refugium for orcas in the northern Pacific, where pods settled during the last ice age. Genetic analysis reveals high diversity among these orcas, suggesting they may not fit neatly into one species.
A study by Duke University researchers has found microplastics in the fats and lungs of two-thirds of marine mammals, suggesting that ingested plastics can travel into tissues. The presence of polymer particles and fibers in whales' fat and organs may cause harm, including hormone disruption.
A new species of extinct whale, Tutcetus rayanensis, has been discovered in Egypt's ancient sea, providing unprecedented insights into the life history and phylogeny of early whales. The discovery sheds light on the transition from land to sea and the evolution of whales.
Research from Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute reveals that gray whales feeding off the Pacific Northwest coast are shorter than their counterparts in the Arctic. The females average 3 feet and males average 1.5 feet shorter, with slightly smaller skulls and flukes.
A team of researchers from China and the UK has discovered that a group of ancient marine reptiles used whale-like filter feeding methods 250 million years ago. The Hupehsuchus skull shows adaptations similar to baleen whales, including grooves and notches along the jaws.
Pygmy right whales do not migrate across oceans like other baleen whales, instead staying in mid-latitude waters off southern Australia where they breed and feed on specific prey. This unique behavior puts them at risk due to climate change, which is warming their temperate ocean habitats.
A new study led by UNSW Sydney reveals the pygmy right whale's behavior is quite different from its larger relatives, with no long-distance migrations to Antarctic waters. The whales instead remain in mid-latitude waters off southern Australia, feeding on krill and copepods throughout the year.
New research shows that post-menopause female killer whales protect their sons from fights with other whales, reducing the incidence of socially inflicted injuries. This unique behavior suggests that females prioritize helping their male offspring, who have more genetic potential for passing on their mother's genes.
Researchers found that post-menopause females have lower incidence of tooth marks in their social unit, implying they may be protecting their sons from conflict. This suggests a new pathway for the adaptability of menopause in killer whales.
Researchers have observed a dramatic shift in the seasonal usage of Southern Resident killer whales in the Salish Sea, with their fall and winter presence increasing while spring and summer presence declines. This study emphasizes the importance of regularly updating habitat protection measures to reflect changing species usage.
Researchers have finally solved the mystery of the pygmy right whale's evolutionary history, revealing it as a distinct lineage not related to right whales. The study, published in Marine Mammal Science, used genome sequencing and morphology to confirm the whale's unique characteristics.
A mathematical approach using statistical methods can estimate when whales like narwhals and bowhead whales will return to their natural behaviour after being tagged. This method allows researchers to avoid discarding too much or too little data, reducing the risk of interfering with research results or animal welfare.
Researchers observed a steady increase in skin disease among southern resident killer whales from 2004 to 2016. The study suggests that the most plausible explanation is an infectious agent, potentially reflecting a decrease in immune system ability to combat disease. This could pose a significant threat to the health of the population.
Researchers estimate that gray whales off the Oregon Coast consume millions of microparticles per day, primarily from zooplankton and fish. The study suggests that these high loads of microfibers may be affecting the health and behavior of the whales, with potential consequences for their populations.
A new species of early odontocete, Olympicetus thalassodon, has been discovered along the North Pacific coastline. The fossil remains show a unique combination of features that set them apart from other groups of toothed whales.
The USC Stem Cell team is developing artificial kidney organoids using human stem cells and synthetic biology. They aim to create a functional kidney that resembles the real thing in function but not in form.
A recent study led by Griffith University found that whales do not significantly contribute to the removal of atmospheric carbon, contrary to previous hopes. The research suggests that other methods, such as protecting marine environments and natural carbon capture, are more effective in reducing greenhouse gases.
Research from Aarhus University reveals that right whales in the Southern Ocean have become thinner over the past 30 years due to declining krill populations. The whales' food source is shrinking as warmer waters reduce phytoplankton growth, leading to less krill and ultimately affecting their ability to fatten up before winter.
Researchers found that humpback whales have a unique response to wind noise, singing louder in noisy conditions. In contrast, they do not exhibit an increased reaction to vessel noise from boats. This finding has implications for understanding whale behavior and potential consequences for breeding practices.
Scientists have successfully tracked fin whales using fibre-optic cables in the Norwegian Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. The system, called Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), allows for simultaneous location and tracking of whales over an 1800 km² area with relatively low infrastructure investment.
Humpback whales use sandy bays to remove dead skin cells and barnacles through 'sand rolling' behavior. This exfoliation method helps maintain a healthy bacterial skin community, reducing drag and energy loss.
Killer whales in the North Atlantic exhibit dietary specialization, with regions preferring different prey species. The study's findings provide insight into potential impacts on sensitive species within Arctic ecosystems.
A new study has uncovered five new skulls of the Oligocene toothed baleen whale Coronodon from South Carolina, representing two new species and a young juvenile. The fossils provide key insights into the early growth and development of Neoceti whales.
The Southern Resident killer whale population is spending far less time in the San Juan Islands as their primary food source, Chinook salmon, declines. This decline is likely an effort to find alternative food sources, and research shows a strong relationship between the whales' presence and salmon returns.
Research found that inbreeding is a major factor contributing to the decline of the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population. The study, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, indicates that inbred individuals have lower survival rates and birth rates compared to those with lower levels of inbreeding.
Researchers identified fluctuations in climate and ocean conditions as the main drivers of entanglement risk to whales in Dungeness crab fishing gear. The study provides new tools for managing fisheries while minimizing impact on whale populations.
A new study of Antarctic minke whales found that a smaller whale cannot capture enough food to survive using the lunge-feeding strategy. The researchers observed remarkably high feeding rates for minke whales, especially at night, which are essential for their survival.
A new study reveals that northern and southern resident orcas differ in their hunting behaviors, with males catching more salmon per hour than females. Southern resident males outperform females by 152%, highlighting a distinct pattern of foraging that may contribute to the population decline.
Researchers analyzed chemical isotopes in 1002 skin samples to study the distribution of southern right whales and long-term environmental changes in the Southern Ocean. The study shows that the whales' foraging grounds have shifted, reflecting changing prey distributions, and that climate change has driven recent shifts.
A new study reveals that toothed whales have evolved an air-driven nasal sound production system that operates at different vocal registers. This innovation allows them to produce echolocation calls with remarkable efficiency and access the richest food niches in the deep ocean.
A study analyzing centuries-old whaling records reveals Southern right whales are adjusting their feeding grounds in response to climate change. The whales increased use of mid-latitude foraging grounds and slightly shifted towards high latitude areas, affecting their prey availability.
Researchers found strong seasonality in blue whales' foraging and breeding behavior, with changes in vocalizations based on environmental conditions like marine heatwaves. The study's findings can inform conservation management of this endangered blue whale population.
Researchers at Flinders University discovered a previously unknown whale behavior, which may have been described in ancient Norse manuscripts. The
Bowhead whales are shifting their migration patterns due to declining sea ice in the Arctic, affecting their long-term health and impact on Indigenous communities. The lack of ice is causing changes in bowhead availability for hunters, leading to competition for resources and increased human interaction.
A recent UBC study has found that southern resident killer whales require high-energy prey to survive, with spring-run Chinook salmon being the most suitable. The study's findings have significant implications for managing both species and mitigating the decline of this critically endangered population.
Researchers from the University of Queensland found that humpback whales have shifted their mating behaviour, with males giving up singing and instead fighting for dominance. This change is believed to be due to the increased population size after whaling cessation, as larger groups may deter other males from approaching potential mates.
Researchers warn of significant risks to ocean ecosystems and cetaceans from commercial-scale deep seabed mining. The study highlights the need for urgent research to assess potential impacts on cetaceans, which are highly sensitive to sound and already facing multiple stressors like climate change.
A new study found that killer whale mothers pay a high price for raising their sons, with each living son cutting their annual breeding likelihood in half. This lifelong burden on mothers has significant implications for the future viability of the southern resident killer whale population, which is critically endangered.
A new study reveals that killer whale mothers sacrifice their own reproductive success to care for their adult sons, with a cost of over 50% reduction in new calf births. This life history strategy offers evolutionary benefits to females when their sons reproduce successfully.
The study of two Antarctic blue whales tagged in the east Antarctic sector of the Southern Ocean reveals significant logistical challenges and provides initial insights into foraging ecology, habitat preferences, distribution, movement rates, and feeding patterns. The satellite tracks will assist the International Whaling Commission's ...
Research from the University of California, Santa Cruz, found that abundant krill supplies lead to more humpback whale pregnancies, while scarcity results in fewer pregnancies. The study suggests reduced krill stocks due to climate change and industrial fishing will impact humpback whale populations.
A new study in Scientific Reports identifies four genes associated with whales' massive size, including GHSR, IGFBP7, NCAPG, and PLAG1. These genes promote large body sizes while mitigating potential drawbacks like increased cancer risk.
Scientists discovered high levels of toxic chemicals, including 4-nonylphenol from toilet paper, in the bodies of orcas in B.C., which may contribute to their population decline. Forever chemicals like 7:3-fluorotelomer carboxylic acid were also found, highlighting the need for pollution management and regulation.
A team of researchers has developed a system that uses fibre-optic cables to detect and measure acoustic signals from the ocean, including whale vocalizations, ship traffic, earthquakes, and distant storms. This technology has the potential to create a global real-time monitoring network for Ocean-Earth sciences.
Researchers analyzed fossil bed in Nevada's Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park to determine cause of mass extinction. They found evidence that ichthyosaurs died due to migration, not mass stranding or environmental toxins.
A team of scientists found evidence that 37 ichthyosaurs died in the same location, suggesting they were migrating to give birth over hundreds of thousands of years. Geochemical tests revealed no signs of environmental disturbance or mass stranding events, pointing to a more plausible explanation for their demise.
Researchers explore the importance of understanding whale carbon sequestration potential to combat climate change. Whales can store more carbon than small animals, influencing nutrient dynamics and carbon cycling over ocean-basin scales.
A regime shift in the Southeast Greenland marine ecosystem has led to a permanent change from an ice-infested to a more temperate system, with large numbers of fin and humpback whales migrating to the area. This tipping point may be irreversible, having cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.