Articles tagged with Whales
Researchers have successfully detected and described four whale species using detailed satellite imagery, providing a cost-effective method for monitoring population changes and behavior. The study identifies key inaccessible whale populations that can benefit from satellite-based tracking.
Researchers studied 34 right whale mother-calf pairs from 2011 to 2015, discovering that near-surface resting behavior increases the risk of ship strikes and low call-rates may be a defense mechanism. The study's findings emphasize the need for improved protection measures to prevent extinction
A study found that male humpback whales reduce or cease singing in areas with high human shipping noise. The authors suggest that ceasing vocalization and moving away may be cost-effective adaptations to avoid the noise.
University of Cincinnati biology professor Takuya Konishi proposes that mosasaurs hunted like killer whales by ramming their prey with their snouts. The young Tylosaurus mosasaur found in Kansas had a similar facial structure to orcas, with a protruding snout and robust cranial vault.
A new study found that while polar bears relied on whale carcasses in the past, this resource will not be enough to sustain most bear populations in the future due to climate change. The Arctic is expected to become ice-free by 2040, making it difficult for bears to find alternative food sources.
A new study models the impact of PCBs on killer whale populations, finding that high concentrations in key regions could lead to collapse within a century. The model simulates accumulation and transfer of the chemical to offspring, tying population size and sustainability to proximity to PCB production.
A new study published in the journal Science reveals that killer whale populations are severely affected by PCBs, with over half of studied populations showing significant declines. The research predicts that these populations may disappear within 30-50 years if current levels of pollution persist.
The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is a critical hotspot of biodiversity, with an aerial survey revealing over 600 animal sightings in just four hours. The monument's protected resource status is under review by the Trump administration.
Researchers discovered that beluga whales and narwhals undergo menopause, mirroring killer whales' behavior. This reproductive strategy may have evolved due to increased relatedness among family members and the need for older females to contribute to group survival through knowledge sharing.
Humpback whale songs may be used for echolocation, allowing singers to analyze their surroundings and locate other whales. This challenges the long-held assumption that whale songs are primarily used for reproductive purposes, instead suggesting a more complex cognitive process at play.
A new study tracked juvenile whale sharks across the Philippines, emphasizing the importance of the archipelago for the species. The study found that all tagged whale sharks stayed within the Philippines, with one individual traveling over 2,500 km through the Sulu and Bohol Seas.
Researchers successfully quantify hormone levels in whale breath for the first time, providing a new non-invasive method to study whale health. The technique allows for rapid and short-term acute responses to stressors, such as entanglement hazards and vessel strikes.
Researchers from Uppsala University have discovered evidence of large-scale whaling in north Scandinavia dating back to the mid-6th century CE. The production of whalebone gaming pieces reveals a regular supply of whalebone was needed, indicating extensive whaling practices.
Researchers recorded narwhals in East Greenland, capturing six hours of audio that revealed three types of sounds: clicks, buzzes, and calls. The study found that narwhals produce buzzes at greater depths than clicks, and that a particular fjord had high buzzing rates, suggesting a preferred feeding area.
Researchers discovered that pilot whales and Risso's dolphins can recognize the alarming calls of killer whales, leading to evasive actions such as fleeing. The team found unique features in the distressing calls that are not present in other whale species or human screams, suggesting a warning system for potential victims.
A new study urges a more proactive conservation management strategy for North Atlantic right whales due to declining calf births and shifting distribution. Researchers recommend expanding protective policies to cover their new habitat range and implementing advanced monitoring programs.
The study found that whale sharks congregate at specific locations with unique characteristics, such as steep slopes and upwelling of plankton and krill. These areas provide ideal conditions for the filter-feeding sharks to search for food in deep water and warm shallows.
Researchers developed a novel hormone analysis technique to measure the effects of fishing gear entanglement on North Atlantic right whales. The study found that entanglement can cause severe stress responses, starvation, and changes in migration patterns.
A new study found that blue whales frequenting the South Taranaki Bight in New Zealand are part of a locally distinct population. Researchers used hydrophones and biopsies to determine genetic differences, estimating a minimum abundance of 718 individuals.
Scientists documented dozens of dolphins and pilot whales, as well as rare Sowerby's beaked whales, endangered sperm whales, and giant ocean sunfish. The aerial survey revealed an incredible abundance of marine life in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.
A 34-million-year-old fossil discovery in Antarctica has provided significant insights into the evolution of baleen whales. The ancient whale, Llanocetus denticrenatus, had well-developed teeth and gums instead of baleen, suggesting a transition from biting to filter feeding occurred over time.
A 34-million-year-old whale skull from Antarctica reveals early whales didn't have baleen, but instead used teeth to bite large prey. The discovery provides a rare window into the earliest phase of filter feeding evolution.
Researchers tracked a female whale shark's 20,142 km migration from eastern Pacific to western Indo-Pacific, the longest recorded migration. The study provides new insights into whale shark migration patterns and conservation efforts.
A new genetic analysis reveals that two male whales fathered over half of the calves born since 1990, indicating inbreeding in the Southern Resident killer whale population. The limited breeding number reduces the population's resilience to change, potentially compromising individual animals' survival.
Researchers used a rocket scanner to take the first whole-body CT scan of a minke whale, revealing insights on whale communication. The team modeled how whales hear low-frequency sounds using custom-developed computer simulation tools.
A new study has found that researchers can detect killer whales in Puget Sound by analyzing environmental DNA (eDNA) in water samples. The eDNA persists for up to two hours after the whales have passed through, providing a potential game-changing advance in whale tracking and identification.
A large group of common bottlenose dolphins was recorded in Canadian Pacific waters, the first confirmed occurrence in this area. The sighting suggests that these warm-water species may naturally range into British Columbia, Canada when conditions are suitable due to warming trend.
University of Otago researchers identify and name a new genus of extinct baleen whale from New Zealand's Hakataramea Valley, dating back 27.5 million years. The Toipahautea waitaki was found with diagnostic earbones preserved, suggesting it fed like modern-day minke whales.
Researchers at UEA are using silent marine robots to record underwater sounds, providing valuable information on sea-surface wind speed and monitoring storms. The robots can also eavesdrop on marine life, such as whales and dolphins, and detect human activities like marine traffic and seismic surveys.
The study found that rorquals have been hybridizing during their evolutionary history, with genetic barriers between species seemingly non-existent. This rare phenomenon, called sympatric speciation, has significant implications for our understanding of biodiversity.
A genetic kinship study of beluga whales reveals they return to the same locations year after year, inheriting migration routes from mother to calf. This demonstrates philopatry and cultural behavior in whales, challenging our understanding of non-primate societies.
A University of Washington study analyzed audio recordings from bowhead whales, finding a diverse repertoire of over 184 different songs. The whales' singing behavior is distinct from humpback whales', with no song types repeated between years, and new songs emerging each season.
Researchers analyzed basking shark aggregations off the northeastern US coast to learn more about their behavior. They found that these events occurred during summer and fall, when sea surface temperatures were between 55-75 degrees F, and are likely related to foraging and socializing.
Stanford researchers found that aquatic mammal size is bounded by the need to retain heat and difficulties getting enough food. The group analyzed body masses for over 3,800 species and found a convergent evolution toward around 1,000 pounds.
Aquatic mammals are bounded by need to retain heat and difficulties gathering food, limiting their size. The study found that smaller ancestors like dog relatives increased in size more than larger ancestors like hippos to reach an optimal weight of around 1,000 pounds.
A study published in Animal Behaviour examined the acoustic behavior of North Atlantic right whales, finding that their calls change as individuals age. Similar to human infants, younger whale calls are shorter and less structured, but develop into clearer sounds with better defined structure as they mature.
Researchers found that North Atlantic right whales produce clearer, longer calls with age, defying previous predictions of physical maturity. This study suggests that whales have more control over their voices, potentially sending more complex information.
New research finds that beluga whales are diving deeper and longer to find food as sea ice loss changes their Arctic habitat. The whales' diving behavior has increased significantly over nearly two decades, with dives lasting up to 3 times a day and depths reaching 64 meters.
A study on humpback whales' skin microbiome found that nearly all whales had six core communities of bacteria, which changed with seasonal and environmental conditions. Monitoring these microbes could aid in assessing the whales' health and detecting climate change impacts.
Researchers have detected snapping shrimp off the Oregon coast and believe their loud clicking noise may attract eastern Pacific gray whales. The crustaceans are typically found in warm waters but were previously unknown to inhabit the cooler coastal areas.
Scientists recorded over 4,500 sounds from tagged blue whales to analyze their calling patterns and behaviors. The study found that male whales were chattier at night, producing more calls than females, which may aid in reproduction.
A team of researchers is conducting a five-week survey to investigate the health of southern right whales in their feeding grounds off South Georgia. The study aims to unravel the mystery of high calf mortalities and understand how environmental conditions influence breeding success.
A study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution found that all organisms are nearly equally fit for survival due to a universal tradeoff in energy allocation. This means that each species contributes the same amount of energy per gram of parent to the next generation, regardless of size or life history.
Deep-diving narwhals experience unusually low heart rates while escaping human disturbances, potentially harming oxygenation and brain function. The study's findings raise concerns about the effects of ocean noise and increased human activity on these Arctic whales.
A new study reveals the location of 20 whale shark aggregation sites globally, increasing knowledge of abundance and geographic range. The research also identifies sex-ratio bias, site fidelity and hotspot sites, improving conservation efforts for this endangered species.
A new study published in Endangered Species Research found that chronically entangled North Atlantic right whales have high hormone levels indicating severe stress. The research used fecal samples from live, entangled, and dead whales to investigate stress levels and determine cause of death.
Researchers observed bowhead whales rubbing against rocks in Cumberland Sound, Nunavut, to remove dead skin. The warmer coastal waters may facilitate molting during summer months.
Researchers found that bowhead whales in the eastern Canadian Arctic molt and rub on large rocks to facilitate exfoliation, shedding parasites and sun-damaged skin. This behavior may help reduce ultraviolet radiation damage, important for long-lived species like bowhead whales.
Most blue whales exhibit a lateralization bias, being 'right-handed' or 'left-handed,' with most feeding movements involving 90-degree side rolls. However, researchers found that these whales become left-handed when swimming upward at a steep angle to approach prey near the surface.
Researchers found that blue whales tend to be 'right-handed' when feeding, rolling about 90 degrees to the right side during most lunges. However, they roll to the left when approaching from below to target patches of prey, allowing for more efficient feeding.
The recovery of killer whales, sea lions, and harbor seals on the West Coast has led to a significant increase in their consumption of chinook salmon. This shift may now exceed the combined harvest by commercial and recreational fisheries, creating complex tradeoffs for conservation efforts.
Researchers found that individual blue whales prefer to roll to the right most of the time, but shift to left-side rolls in shallow water to hunt small prey. This study provides the first evidence of handedness in blue whales and highlights their adaptability when it comes to feeding behaviors.
The 2017 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards honored distinguished reporting on topics such as antibiotic-resistant infections, superbugs, and climate change. The winners included a Reuters team for their investigation into uncounted deaths from superbug infections.
Researchers tracked North Atlantic right whales using passive acoustic monitoring, finding they use nearly the entire eastern seaboard during winter and move around more than thought. The study revealed changes in their time spent in some areas and confirmed their presence along the East Coast year-round.
The study reveals that Albertocetus had a large brain size, intermediate between modern cetaceans and terrestrial even-toed hoofed animals. The partial vertebral column indicates that it retained a similar shape and moved similarly to its archaeocete ancestors.
The study reveals that climate change and insufficient international protection are endangering the North Atlantic right whale population, which has made modest gains in recent years. The lack of adequate policies in northern waterways increases the risk of ship traffic and commercial fishing gear harming the whales.
Researchers have discovered that Bryde's whales employ a unique feeding strategy involving lifting their heads to tread water, allowing prey to flow in. This 'tread-water feeding' behavior is the first recorded passive feeding method in baleen whales.
Climate change and human activities are putting North Atlantic right whales under immense pressure, with food scarcity and high mortality rates exacerbating their decline. The study predicts population growth will be hindered by climate-mediated food availability and policy-driven mortalities.
New research found that male killer whales are three times more likely to die in years with scarce food and when they are not at the centre of their social group. The study highlights the importance of social bonds for male killer whales, particularly during times of scarcity.
Researchers are developing a system to alert ships to the proximity of whales using acoustic monitoring, thermal imaging, and big data analytics. The goal is to reduce fatal collisions between ships and whales, particularly in the Santa Barbara Channel where important feeding grounds overlap with busy shipping lanes.