In News:

Scientists have directly measured the hearing range of minke whales for the first time, finding that they can detect high-frequency sounds up to 90 kHz.

Key Highlights:

• Implication for Ocean Noise: The study suggests that baleen whales, including minke whales, may be more affected by anthropogenic ocean noise (e.g., naval sonar) than previously recognized, as their hearing range had been underestimated.
• Research Method: A novel catch-and-release technique was used to temporarily hold adolescent minke whales in Norway for auditory evoked potential (AEP) tests to measure their hearing sensitivity.
• Findings: Contrary to the belief that baleen whales are low-frequency specialists, minke whales can detect frequencies between 45 kHz to 90 kHz.
• Impact of Findings: The results could affect future regulations on ocean noise and its impact on marine mammals, as better hearing data is now available for baleen whales.

Minke Whale Overview:

• Family: Minke whales are members of the baleen or "great" whale family and are the smallest of the rorquals.
• Species: There are two recognized species:
  • Common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), found in various ocean basins.
  • Antarctic minke whale (B. bonaerensis), found in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Subspecies:
  • Dwarf minke whale: An unnamed subspecies of the common minke whale, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • North Atlantic (B. a. acutorostrata) and North Pacific (B. a. scammoni) subspecies of common minke whales.
• Distribution: Minke whales are widely spread across tropical, temperate, and polar regions (65°S to 80°N), with common minke whales in all ocean basins and dwarf minke whales mostly in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Feeding Areas: They feed in cooler waters at higher latitudes and can be found both inshore and offshore.
• Conservation Status (IUCN):

• Common minke whale: Least Concern.
• Antarctic minke whale: Data Deficient.