Future Directions in Research on Bryde's Whales

Frontiers in Marine Science

卷:5

Sharon L. Nieukirk¹  Gwenith S. Penry²  Rochelle Constantine³  Takashi Iwata⁴ 

[1] Cooperative Institute for Marine Resources Studies, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University and NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, Newport, OR, United States;

[2] Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa;

[3] School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand;

[4] Sea Mammal Research Unit, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom;

关键词: Bryde's whale;    Eden's whale;    Balaenoptera edeni;    taxonomy;    acoustics;    foraging behavior;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fmars.2018.00333

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

One of the lesser known species of baleen whales, the Bryde's whale, also known as Eden's whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni and B. edeni brydei), although hunted as part of a North Pacific Japanese research programme1, was not heavily exploited by commercial whaling and remains a data deficient species. Their taxonomic status is not fully resolved and they are often mistaken for other species leading to uncertainty about their true distribution, behavior and conservation status. Some populations are critically endangered, whilst others are small but have high genetic diversity suggesting wider connectivity. The species' unpredictable coastal and offshore global distribution throughout warm-temperate waters has led to populations with unknown genetic variation, and facing different threats. Few areas are well-studied, but each study reveals often contrasting movement patterns, foraging strategies, and vocal repertoires; there are considerable knowledge gaps for Bryde's whales. There are few Bryde's populations with abundance estimates but they typically number in the mid- to high-hundreds of individuals, with other populations small, <100 mature individuals, and exposed to high levels of anthropogenic impacts. Future research should focus on understanding the diversity within and between populations. Here, we suggest an integrative, comparative approach toward future work on Bryde's whales, including acoustic monitoring, trophic interactions, telemetry tools, understanding their novel behaviors, and resolving their species status. This will inform conservation management of this unusual species of whale vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts.

【 授权许可】

Unknown