Nature & Environment
Isabela the Blue Whale Reveals Where Massive Cetaceans Journey to Breed
Catherine Griffin
First Posted: Jun 12, 2015 08:52 AM EDT
Scientists have taken a closer look at the epic migration of the blue whale. Using DNA profiling and photo identification, researchers may have solved the mystery of where these giant animals go to breed.
In this latest study, the researchers tracked a blue whale that they named "Isabela." They found that this whale has traveled at least once between Chile's Gulf of Corcovado and the equatorial waters of the Galapagos Islands, which is a location more than 5,000 kilometers away and now thought to be a possible blue whale breeding ground. This journey represents the largest north to south migratory movement ever recorded for a Southern Hemisphere blue whale.
"Efforts to protect blue whales and other ocean-going species will always fall short without full knowledge of a species' migratory range," said Juan Pablo Torres-Florez, one of the researchers, in a news release. "Moreover, with this kind of findings we encourage eastern south Pacific governments to think about the creation of a marine protected areas network for the conservation of this and other migratory species. Isabella points us in the right direction for future research."
The researchers aren't sure how old Isabela is or even if she's produced young. However, the whale is at least 82 feet in length and may weigh up to 100 tons. In addition, the new findings of her route between southern Chile and the waters of Ecuador may help scientists target conservation efforts.
The researchers also examined DNA collected from the skin of blue whales with biopsy darts fired from crossbows. The researchers eventually found a genetic match between a female whale observed and sampled off the coast of southern Chile in the summer of 2006. This same whale was sampled in the waters of the Galapagos eight years before by NOAA scientists.
The findings are published in the journal Marine Mammal Science.
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First Posted: Jun 12, 2015 08:52 AM EDT
Scientists have taken a closer look at the epic migration of the blue whale. Using DNA profiling and photo identification, researchers may have solved the mystery of where these giant animals go to breed.
In this latest study, the researchers tracked a blue whale that they named "Isabela." They found that this whale has traveled at least once between Chile's Gulf of Corcovado and the equatorial waters of the Galapagos Islands, which is a location more than 5,000 kilometers away and now thought to be a possible blue whale breeding ground. This journey represents the largest north to south migratory movement ever recorded for a Southern Hemisphere blue whale.
"Efforts to protect blue whales and other ocean-going species will always fall short without full knowledge of a species' migratory range," said Juan Pablo Torres-Florez, one of the researchers, in a news release. "Moreover, with this kind of findings we encourage eastern south Pacific governments to think about the creation of a marine protected areas network for the conservation of this and other migratory species. Isabella points us in the right direction for future research."
The researchers aren't sure how old Isabela is or even if she's produced young. However, the whale is at least 82 feet in length and may weigh up to 100 tons. In addition, the new findings of her route between southern Chile and the waters of Ecuador may help scientists target conservation efforts.
The researchers also examined DNA collected from the skin of blue whales with biopsy darts fired from crossbows. The researchers eventually found a genetic match between a female whale observed and sampled off the coast of southern Chile in the summer of 2006. This same whale was sampled in the waters of the Galapagos eight years before by NOAA scientists.
The findings are published in the journal Marine Mammal Science.
Related Stories
Whales Have Singing Voices that Vary Between Individuals
For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone