While their degree of genetic divergence doesn't warrant classification as a new species, it does mean the whales are highly distinct and probably rank as "the world's most isolated humpback whale population," the authors write. Humpback whales in the Arabian Sea facing extinction, Cutting-edge research and better data would give endangered population a fighting chance. Now, a similar discovery has emerged for humpback whales. “Arabian Sea Humpback Whales are the only non-migratory species of humpback whales and they are endemic to the Arabian Sea. Researchers have recorded the unique song off the coast of Oman in the northern Arabian Sea, off the western Chagos Archipalego, and off Madagascar in the southwestern Indian Ocean. We use cookies to analyse how visitors use our website and to help us provide the best possible experience for users. Request PDF | A new blue whale song-type described for the Arabian Sea and Western Indian Ocean | Blue whales Balaenoptera musculus in the Indian Ocean (IO) are currently thought to … Humpback whales are normally migratory, continuously journeying around the Southern or Northern hemispheres throughout their lifetime. Arabian sea humpback whales isolated for 70,000 years. P. O. Box: 427- 100 Al Khwair. As this is the only blue whale song that has been identified in the western Arabian Sea, we label it the ‘Northwest Indian Ocean’ song-type to distinguish it from other regional song-types. 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This whale was first documented in 2010 in the Gulf of Masirah and was sighted again in 2011 and 2014 off Hasik and more recently in October and December 2020 off Port of Duqm. Storms Reveal Two Historic Shipwrecks on England's Eastern Coast, Women Dominated Beer Brewing Until They Were Accused of Being Witches, Contractors Discover Forgotten Medieval Tunnel Beneath Welsh Garden, How Scientist Jennifer Doudna Is Leading the Next Technological Revolution, The Distinctive ‘Habsburg Jaw’ Was Likely the Result of the Royal Family’s Inbreeding, First Vial Used in U.S. Covid-19 Vaccinations Joins the Smithsonian Collections, The Peculiar Story of the Witch of Wall Street. Analysis of these data provides strong evidence for the existence of a discrete population of this species that both feeds and breeds in the tropical waters of the northwestern Indian Ocean. California Do Not Sell My Info Arabian Sea's unique humpback whale population is critically endangered. But the researchers think this group of whales is so unique and faces such serious threats that it should get a new designation: critically endangered. 495-515, doi:10.3354/esr01096 'Jackpot' of … “Arabian Sea Humpback Whales are the only non-migratory species of humpback whales and they are endemic to the Arabian Sea. Cookie Policy Can You Spread Covid-19 After Getting Vaccinated? Soviet-era humpback whale catch locations in the Arabian Sea, 1965-66. Muscat, Oman Keep up-to-date on: © 2021 Smithsonian Magazine. The scientists analysed recordings from the Arabian Sea coast of Oman, and as far south as Madagascar, and found a blue whale song that had never been described The workshop compiled evidence confirming the perception that the Arabian Sea humpback whale population is at a high risk of extinction (e.g. Two new studies reveal more about humpback whales - the Arabia Sea harbors the populations' most isolated and genetically distinct types and these carry a … Privacy Statement In the Arabian Sea, however, the whales stay in place. Participants stressed the need for a regionally collaborative research and conservation program, and outlined a process for developing such a program [for details see workshop report ]. © 2020 WWF - World Wide Fund For Nature© 1986 Panda Symbol WWF – World Wide Fund For Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund)® “WWF” is a WWF Registered Trademark Creative Commons license. Advertising Notice Continue A whale named 'Spitfire' swims in the waters off the island of Hallaniyah in southern Oman. “Arabian Sea Humpback Whales are the only non-migratory species of humpback whales and they are endemic to the Arabian Sea. “Arabian Sea Humpback Whales are the only non-migratory species of humpback whales and they are endemic to the Arabian Sea. Since it is the only blue whale song identified by them in the western Arabian Sea, researchers have called it the “Northwest Indian Ocean”. Give a Gift. But despite their homebody tendencies, that population has proven difficult to study in the past, Discovery News writes. Recent genetic analyses indicate that the Arabian Sea humpback whales are the most isolated humpback whale population in the world. © 1986 Panda Symbol WWF – World Wide Fund For Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund). Vote Now! Researchers found that one population of those gentle giants, while not a distinct species, has remained isolated in the Arabian Sea for upwards of 70,000 years. ASWN members include representatives of large international NGOs like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF – with offices in Pakistan, India and the UAE) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), as well as grass-roots environmental organizations like the […] Humpback whales are normally migratory, continuously journeying around the Southern or Northern hemispheres throughout their lifetime. Ministry of Fisheries Wealth. hypothesis that Arabian Sea humpback whales are a distinct stock that adheres to a Northern Hemisphere breeding schedule. The population living in the Arabian Sea, however, is currently listed as endangered. "A New Blue Whale Song-Type Described for the Arabian Sea and Western Indian Ocean." The whale is a member of a highly endangered population of humpback whales who reside year-round in the Arabian Sea. In the wake of this discovery, the new song was detected again by Cerchio’s colleagues, who were recording humpback whales off the coast of Oman, in the Arabian Sea. Published online 22 December 2014 . A whale named 'Spitfire' swims in the waters off the island of Hallaniyah in southern Oman. Humpback whales as a species are listed as "least concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature—they're in no danger of going extinct any time soon. This region was hit very hard,” Cerchio says. Recordings of the songs that males produce during the mating season along with visual observations and stranding reports indicate that the whales breed along the coast of Oman and possibly along the Pakistan and Indian coasts off the Rann of Kutch. Terms of Use Figure 1. When the researchers compared these with genetic samples from the global population, they found that the Arabian whales likely made their way to their present locations from the Southern Indian Ocean and that their journey took place around 70,000 years ago. 301. Smithsonian Institution. Source: IWC. Arabian Sea Humpback Whale . Unfortunately, we estimate that there are less than 100 remaining, so every individual is even more precious if they are to have a future. Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Biodiversity; Conservation; Endangered species Basic info: IUCN status – Least Concern Found – Around the world The humpback whale is one of the four species of baleen whales occurring in Indian waters and it is one of the least studied species in India. Arabian Sea humpback whales are opportunistically encountered almost exclusively in Dhofar, and are a target of a small-scale marine tourism business in the Hallaniyat Islands. They went to the Arabian Sea and just swept it of whales: humpback, blue whales, sperm whales. Rachel Nuwer is a freelance science writer based in Brooklyn. The Arabian Sea Whale Network (ASWN) collaborates to conserve humpback whales and other cetaceans in the Arabian Sea. The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. “Arabian humpback whales, inhabiting the Arabian Sea, are a small subpopulation of the humpback whales, which are most genetically distinct humpback whales … It was always assumed that these were the same whales that were in other parts of the Indian Ocean, Cerchio says. The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a species of baleen whale.It is one of the larger rorqual species, with adults ranging in length from 12–16 m (39–52 ft) and weighing around 25–30 t (28–33 short tons). This non-migratory behaviour makes them unique amongst humpback whales. In the Arabian Sea, however, the whales stay in place. Now, researchers have finally managed to get their hands on samples from 67 of the Arabian whales. Endangered humpback whale in the Arabian Sea. Powerful genetic tools have given scientists a new means for sniffing out the existence of previously concealed species—that two species of dolphin are actually four, that Brazil has an extra species of adorable wildcat, and that the Caribbean has 24 new, imperiled species of lizards. Arabian Sea humpback whales have been a subject of conservation concern in the IWC since 1997. Return to Top ↑ Common dolphins off the coast of Muscat. The most recent bottleneck may be due to illegal whaling; during two very short periods in 1965 and 1966 Soviet whalers killed 242 humpback whales in the Arabian Sea (39 of the captured females were also pregnant), a potentially devastating loss for a small population. According to Andrew Willson from Five Oceans Environmental Services LLC, who was part of the research team, blue whales and Arabian Sea Humpback whales … (I accept), Working to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and nature. whales taken in the Arabian Sea, primarily in the autumn of 1966. Scientists from WCS, AMNH, and the Environment Society of Oman have found that humpback whales inhabiting the Arabian Sea are the most genetically distinct humpback whales in the world and may be the most isolated whale population on earth. IO/Arabian Sea, off the western Chagos Archipelago in the equatorial central IO, and off Mada-gascar in the southwestern IO. Current estimates suggest that the population consists of fewer than 100 individuals, making them one of the most endangered populations of large whales in the world. 43, 2020, pp. Scientists from WCS, AMNH, and the Environment Society of Oman have found that humpback whales inhabiting the Arabian Sea are the most genetically distinct humpback whales in the world and may be the most isolated whale population on earth. The Biological Review Team that conducted the 6-year long review process considered evidence from the Arabian Sea that includes information on illegal hunting of whales by Soviet whaling fleets in the 1960s, fifteen years’ worth of dedicated whale research off the coast of Oman, and a few opportunistic sightings and strandings of whales along the coasts of Pakistan and India. Experts’ analysis of the injuries found on the stranded whales, in general, indicate that they … October 28, 2017. Whales and Dolphins in Arabian Sea: Arabian Sea Survey (2007- 2008) Dr. Hamed Mohammed Al Gheilani* * asadalaqidah@gmail.com *Marine Science and Fisheries Center. Endangered Species Research , vol. Arabian Sea humpback whales are one of the smallest and potentially the most vulnerable whale populations in the world, numbering fewer than 100 individuals in Oman. 17th Annual Photo Contest Finalists Announced.