Articles tagged with Whales
A study of historic whaling records reveals early warning signs of global population collapse up to 40 years before the event for four whale species. The research provides a potential tool for predicting which species are at risk due to environmental pressures such as overfishing and climate change.
Researchers found that extinct early whales had hearing similar to terrestrial animals, contradicting previous assumptions. This discovery suggests a more complex evolutionary history for whales, with hearing specialization emerging later.
Researchers study how baleen whales use crossflow filtration to separate prey from water without contact, shedding light on whale evolution and conservation. The study finds that larger body size enhances this form of filtration, affecting a whale's drag and energy needs.
New research from the Smithsonian reveals that whales started bulking up around 2-3 million years ago, when increasing ice sheets concentrated prey in the oceans. This shift allowed for larger body sizes to evolve, as filter-feeding became more efficient with access to dense prey patches.
Researchers have discovered a 36.4-million-year-old whale fossil that suggests baleen whales' ancestors were toothy suction feeders, diverging from their hunting lifestyle to filter-feed tiny marine animals. The study also reveals that whales likely lost hind limbs more recently than previously estimated.
Researchers discovered that newborn humpback whales communicate with their mothers using intimate grunts and squeaks to avoid being overheard by killer whales. The study found that these quiet calls help mother-calf pairs stay together in murky waters, reducing the risk of attracting male humpbacks.
Research shows that ocean-going spinner dolphin calves do not develop physical characteristics essential for sustaining deep dives as quickly as shallow-diving coastal species. This slow development may lead to mother-calf separations during tuna purse-seine fisheries, posing a significant threat to dolphin populations.
Scientists tagged 47 humpback whales with satellite transmitters in the southeast Pacific to understand their breeding area movements. The study revealed that individuals move between countries within the breeding season and that their entire breeding area extends approximately 2,600 kilometers of non-straight coastline.
The study found that about 95% of the study area contained noise exceeding preindustrial levels, with elevated noise levels in important whale feeding grounds. However, quieter areas were also identified within national marine sanctuaries, which may provide respite for whales in an increasingly noisy ocean.
Researchers found bacteria and fungi in killer whales that cause disease in humans and land-based animals, including Salmonella and antibiotic-resistant strains. The study provides insights into whale health and reveals potential pathogens in their environment.
The Benioff Ocean Initiative has committed $1.5 million to accelerate research on reducing ship strikes and mortality of whales. Researchers estimate that 10 blue whales are killed annually in the Santa Barbara Channel, threatening a species with only 3-11% of its historic population.
Research suggests that dolphins and whales expend more energy when swimming at high speeds, potentially leading to increased risk of strandings. A study by Terrie Williams found that beaked whales using loud sonar use 30.5% more energy than unstartled animals.
Researchers have obtained the first images of a calf and underwater video of True's beaked whales, revealing new coloration patterns and helping to identify the species. The study highlights the importance of accurate species identification for conservation efforts.
Harbor porpoise newborns exhibit the earliest hearing development in any mammal studied, with full capabilities achieved within a day of birth. This finding contradicts other studies on newborn mammals, which show limited or absent hearing at birth.
Researchers have discovered that whale nerves utilize two levels of waviness to package their highly extensible nerves, reducing strain when stretched or bent. This unique structure enables the nerves to recoil without sustaining damage during feeding lunges.
Fin whales employ a two-tiered nesting structure to safeguard their nerves during feeding dives. The folded nerves develop 'bending stretches' that could damage them, prompting the development of this intricate mechanism.
Researchers used computer models of blue whale habitat off California and the eastern Pacific to identify similar regions in the Northern Indian Ocean where whales are likely to be found. This information will help reduce ship strikes and inform conservation efforts for endangered blue whales.
A study published in Current Biology found that killer whales are one of only three known species to go through menopause due to reproductive conflict with their daughters. Older mothers suffer higher costs competing to reproduce alongside their daughters, leading to a mortality rate 1.7 times higher for younger mothers' offspring.
A study on killer whales found that older females stop reproducing due to conflict with their daughters, which helps younger family members survive. This evolutionary trait is driven by both cooperation and competition within the family group.
A massive genetic study of humpback whales has confirmed the need to protect unique populations in the Arabian Sea. The study, which analyzed over 3,000 skin samples from individual whales, revealed previously unknown degrees of relatedness between different whale populations.
A new study finds that beluga whales in Alaska are mirroring changes in Arctic sea ice timing, delaying their migration south by up to one month. However, another population remains unaffected by these changes, suggesting variability in response across populations and time.
Killer whales in captivity require enhanced living conditions to elicit natural behaviors. Experts propose changes to environmental enrichment, feeding, and husbandry systems to prioritize psychological and physical wellbeing.
A new study found humpback whales traveling further in the southwest Indian Ocean than previously thought, revealing important breeding habitats off Madagascar. The research also showed different movement patterns for males and females, with potential implications for conservation efforts.
A new type of 'tag' on whales allows researchers to record data every second for hours, days, and weeks at a time, providing insights into whale ecology, behavior, and interactions with prey. The technology has turned whales into scientific partners to help understand ocean conditions and climate change.
A team of researchers observed Hawaiian false killer whales removing fish from longline fishing gear for the first time, gaining insight into a behavior that has led to unsustainable entanglements. The study provides new information on the animals' behavior and may lead to the development of 'smart hooks' to reduce bycatch.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a new, complex baleen whale call, named the Western Pacific Biotwang, with characteristics similar to those of minke whales. The five-part call was recorded in the Mariana Trench and features deep moans and a metallic finale.
A new forecasting system called WhaleWatch has been developed to predict locations of blue whales off the West Coast. The system produces monthly maps of blue whale 'hotspots' to alert ships where there may be an increased risk of encountering these endangered whales.
Monash University scientists have uncovered evidence of how baleen whales evolved from biting prey with teeth to filtering using baleen. The discovery sheds light on the complex evolutionary change that led to the rise of filter-feeding in these massive creatures.
Researchers linked changing sea ice to shifting beluga whale migration patterns over two decades, finding whales adapt to varying sea ice conditions. Continued reductions in sea ice may result in increased predation and shifts in behavior, impacting population viability and ecosystem structure.
Researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution discovered a previously unknown element of whale songs, particle motion, which could travel further than expected. This finding raises concerns about potential interference with whale communication due to human-made noise in the ocean.
A genetic mutation in whale eyes impairs their ability to see in bright light, making them more susceptible to fatal entanglements in fishing gear. This study may also provide insight into how vision works in other mammals, including humans.
A new study reveals that humpback whales' fidelity to local habitats plays a crucial role in their ocean-wide recovery. The research found that contemporary whales utilizing Glacier Bay and Icy Strait are mostly descendants of whales that previously used the area.
The IUCN-led independent panel of scientists has been advising Sakhalin Energy to mitigate its impact on whales and the environment. The western gray whale population has grown 3-4% annually, from an estimated 115 animals in 2004 to 174 in 2015.
The endangered North Atlantic right whale population is facing a dual threat, with lethal and debilitating entanglements on the rise and a dramatic decline in birth rates. The species' recovery success is now in jeopardy due to a lack of management intervention.
Researchers have found fossilized whale skeletons in the Ica Desert of Peru, providing insights into the Miocene whale feeding habits. The discovery also reveals exceptional microstructure preservation, allowing for the study of fossilized baleen bristles at a submillimetric scale.
A fossil discovered in the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History has revealed a new genus and species of dolphin, Arktocara yakataga, which lived in subarctic waters around 25 million years ago. The finding confirms that the South Asian river dolphin belongs to one of the oldest lineages of toothed whales still alive today.
A newly-named fossil whale species, Echovenator sandersi, had superior high-frequency hearing ability, helping scientists understand the evolution of this specialized sense. The study, published in Current Biology, pushes the origin of high frequency hearing in whales farther back in time.
Researchers discovered that whales' ultrasonic hearing arose earlier than anticipated, with the ability to hear at high frequencies evolving about 27 million years ago. This finding suggests that traits associated with this ability predate the emergence of toothed whales.
A new rare species of beaked whale, smaller and darker than Baird's beaked whale, has been identified with a range in the remote North Pacific Ocean. The elusive whale is about 25 feet long and rarely seen, even by Japanese whalers.
Scientists have identified a new species of beaked whale using DNA analysis, with eight known specimens found across the Pacific Ocean. The new species is darker and smaller than the more common Baird's beaked whale, and its genetic differences suggest it represents a distinct species.
Researchers developed a new index to predict if extinct mammalian species lived exclusively in water, were occasionally on land, or were fully land-based. The index uses rib strength measurement to differentiate between habitats and was applied to four extinct species with partially or completely aquatic lifestyles.
Researchers discovered that sperm whales use distinct tapping sounds to convey individual messages, similar to Morse code, allowing them to identify themselves and coordinate actions. The most communicative whale accounted for 294 of the recorded codas, sparking interest in learning more about its unique behavior.
Bowhead calves experience severe bone loss to sustain growth of their enormous heads and baleen plates, outpacing body growth by years. This unusual adaptation allows the whales to catch prey with efficient baleen, compensating for limited baleen at weaning age.
A study in the Western Antarctic sector found that fin and humpback whales do not share the same habitat or feeding grounds. The two whale species are instead connected to different krill species, with Euphausia superba being the primary source of food for both.
Current whale migration models are too simplistic and don't account for the complexity of their ecological behavior. A deeper understanding of factors like reproductive patterns and local adaptations is needed to understand the diversity of migratory habits in baleen whales.
A new study found that more than 1,000 sperm whales have a mitochondrial DNA profile from a single 'Eve' ancestor tens of thousands of years ago. The females in this ancestral lineage are responsible for shaping the global population structure, showing strong fidelity to local areas.
Research suggests that the sperm whale head's connective tissue partitions could function as a shock absorber, reducing impact stress and protecting the skull from failure. The study's findings may have implications for understanding aggressive behavior in other species.
Historic logbook records and computer modeling were used to assess the population's trajectory, finding numbers fell to less than 100 animals between 1914 and 1926. Today, only 12% of pre-industrial levels remain, with conservation strategies crucial for protection.
Scientists have created detailed maps charting seasonal movements and population densities of 35 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in the U.S. East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. The maps provide insights into habitats, tracking regional differences in population densities and large seasonal shifts in migratory baleen whales.
Researchers have mapped whale calls to reveal species-specific feeding centers along Georges Bank, where humpback whales congregate in two main clusters and minke, fin, and blue whales set up territories in between. The team's results suggest predator and prey interactions are influenced by territorialism or foraging mechanisms.
A Northeastern University research team has mapped a mass feeding frenzy involving eight highly protected species of whales and dolphins in the U.S. Gulf of Maine region. The study uses innovative underwater acoustic sensing methods to understand predator-prey interactions and their implications for conserving marine ecosystems.
Beluga whales have been found to dive to depths of up to 900 meters to maximize their encounters with prey, such as Arctic cod. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of beluga migration and feeding patterns in the Arctic, shedding light on the impact of climate change on these elusive marine mammals.
The Automatic Identification System (AIS) can help minimize the negative effects of shipping on marine mammals. Researchers used AIS to track vessel traffic in relation to whale habitats, identifying areas where shipping lanes and migration routes overlap. By improving coverage and usability of data, AIS can inform conservation efforts.
A study measuring underwater noise from ships found that low-frequency noise affects killer whales, while medium-high frequencies also interfere with their communication and echolocation. Reducing ship speed can help mitigate this noise pollution.
Examination of fishing hooks and baits reveals conflicting impacts on sharks and rays, with some methods potentially increasing catch and injury while others help sea turtles and other species.
Young baleen whale calves have significantly lower myoglobin levels than adults, but these levels increase as they mature. Exercise has been shown to influence the rate of myoglobin accumulation in young baleen whales, potentially explaining their high activity levels during early development.
Scientists have confirmed that killer whales in the Pacific Northwest mainly eat Chinook salmon and coho salmon during their summer diet. The study analyzed DNA from feces to estimate the whales' diet composition, providing new insights into their ecological interactions.
A study published in PLOS ONE analyzed the clicks of Mediterranean sperm whales and found that most individuals range from 7.5 to 14 meters in length, with a peak range of 9-12 meters likely corresponding to adult females or young males
Humpback whales' diets reflect surrounding environmental changes, while harbor porpoises recolonize San Francisco Bay and sea otters help restore ecosystem health. New research highlights the West Coast's diverse marine mammals and their responses to climate change.
Research at the Society of Marine Mammalogy's Biennial Conference highlights how climate change is affecting marine mammals globally, introducing new interactions and shifting habitats. Marine mammals, especially in the Arctic, serve as sentinel species reflecting environmental changes.