Minke Whales’ Remarkable Hearing Range Unveiled by Scientists

Why in the news?

Scientists have measured the hearing range of minke whales, revealing their ability to detect high-frequency sounds up to 90 kHz, enhancing understanding of their sensory adaptations.

Minke Whales' Remarkable Hearing Range Unveiled by Scientists

About the Discovery of Minke Whale’s Hearing Range:

  • For the first time, scientists have directly measured the hearing range of minke whales.
  • This groundbreaking study reveals their ability to detect high-frequency sounds up to 90 kilohertz (kHz).
  • The discovery highlights the sensory adaptations of minke whales, the smallest members of the rorqual group of baleen whales.

Species and Subspecies of Minke Whales:

  • Minke whales are divided into two primary species:
    • Common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
    • Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis).
  • There is a dwarf minke whale subspecies, which is a variant of the common minke whale, found exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • Within the common minke whale species, there are distinct subspecies:
    • North Atlantic population ( a. acutorostrata)
    • North Pacific population ( a. scammoni).

Habitat and Feeding Habits:

  • Minke whales are widely distributed, found in tropical, temperate, and polar regions.
  • Their range extends from 65°S to 80°N, making them highly adaptable to different ocean environments.
  • While common minke whales inhabit all ocean basins, the dwarf subspecies is limited to the Southern Hemisphere.
  • These whales primarily feed in cooler waters in higher latitudes, where their filter-feeding capabilities are most effective.

About Minke Whales:

  • Minke whales are the smallest members of the baleen (great) whale family and belong to the rorqual
  • Two recognized species:
    • Common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
    • Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis).
  • Dwarf minke whales, a subspecies of the common minke, are mostly found in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • Subspecies distinctions:
    • North Atlantic ( a. acutorostrata)
    • North Pacific ( a. scammoni).

Distribution and Habitat

  • Minke whales are found in tropical, temperate, and polar regions from 65°S to 80°N.
  • Common minke whales inhabit all ocean basins; dwarf minke whales are confined to the Southern Hemisphere.
  • They feed in cooler waters and can be found in both coastal and offshore

IUCN Conservation Status:

  • Common minke whale: Least concern
  • Antarctic minke whale: Data deficient.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times