Eighteen years of whale call research reveals key habitat of mysterious species
In a boost for the conservation of one of the world's most elusive and least-understood whale species, researchers analyzing more than 18 years of underwater acoustic recordings collected off northwest Australia have discovered that Omura's whales are most likely to be found in warm, food-rich waters.
Researchers analyzing over 18 years of underwater acoustic recordings off northwest Australia have discovered that Omura's whales, a mysterious and elusive species, are most likely to be found in warm, food-rich waters. The findings, published in Marine Mammal Science, provide new insights into the habitat of one of the world's most enigmatic whale species, which is listed as data deficient on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
Lead author Ciara Browne noted that the whales were more likely to be present from September to May when ocean temperatures were warmer, and they were associated with sea surface temperatures above 27.5°C, stronger winds, and higher levels of chlorophyll-a, an indicator of microscopic marine life that forms the base of the ocean food web.
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