Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae in the Arabian Sea

81Citations
Citations of this article
152Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

The population identity of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae in the Arabian Sea has long been a matter of dispute. New information is presented from this region, based upon whaling and observations conducted by the Soviet Union, primarily in November 1966. In that month, a total of 238 humpbacks were killed off the coasts of Oman, Pakistan and northwestern India; 4 others were killed in 1965. Biological examination of these whales showed that they differed significantly from Antarctic humpbacks in terms of size, coloration, body scars and pathology. In addition, analysis of the length distribution of 38 foetuses indicates that the reproductive cycle of the Arabian Sea whales was unequivocally that of a northern hemisphere population. Mean lengths were 12.8 m for males (range: 95 to 14.9 m, n = 126) and 13:3 m for females (range: 9.5 to 15.2 m, n = 112). All whales 12.5 m or more in length were sexually mature. Among 97 females examined, 12 (12.4%) were immature. Of the 85 mature females, 39 (45.9%) were pregnant, 3 (3.5%) were lactating, and 43 (50.6%) were resting. A more plausible pregnancy rate, adjusted for underrepresentation of lactating females, was estimated at 39%. A majority of stomachs examined contained food, including euphausiids and fish. Overall, the data presented here argue strongly that Arabian Sea humpbacks constitute a discrete population which remains in tropical waters year-round, a situation which is unique for this species.

References Powered by Scopus

Dynamics of two populations of the humpback whale. Megaptera no vaeangliae (borowski)

358Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Abundant mitochondrial DNA variation and world-wide population structure in humpback whales

263Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

The social and reproductive biology of Humpback Whales: An ecological perspective

208Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

Why do baleen whales migrate?

288Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Baleen whales: Conservation issues and the status of the most endangered populations

277Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Southern Hemisphere humpback whales wintering off Central America: Insights from water temperature into the longest mammalian migration

255Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Mikhalev, Y. A. (1997). Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae in the Arabian Sea. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 149(1–3), 13–21. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps149013

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 61

56%

Researcher 39

36%

Professor / Associate Prof. 9

8%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Agricultural and Biological Sciences 95

73%

Environmental Science 29

22%

Earth and Planetary Sciences 5

4%

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Bi... 2

2%

Article Metrics

Tooltip
Mentions
News Mentions: 4
References: 6

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free