Calling cetacean researchers and collaborators! 🧬 We’re sharing on behalf of the Cetacean Genomes Project, a global initiative working to generate reference-quality genomes for cetaceans worldwide. They are looking for contributors/collaborators working with samples, genomic data, or collections.

✨ NEW KILLER WHALE RESEARCH ✨ Type D killer whales were only officially described in 2011, and until now we’ve had almost no idea how many exist, where they go, or how they live. A new 21-year study is the first to tackle those questions, and the answers are surprising.

🧪 Whale hormones… from less than a grain of rice A new method can measure 8 hormones (like stress & pregnancy) from tiny blubber samples, meaning more insight from every biopsy. 🐋 Stranded whales showed higher stress 🇳🇴 ONE sample can now reveal pollution, diet & health Big step for conservation

New research reveals something unexpected: when killer whales hear the calls of long-finned pilot whales, they don’t investigate — they leave. Fast.

🐬 Fraser’s dolphins in the Caribbean turn out to be the ultimate social networkers, swimming with other species 83% of the time while island-hopping across 229km of ocean.

Anaïs brought some fascinating info with her to the Whale Tales Podcast this month and while a lot of it was disheartening, as always there are things you can do to help! buff.ly/fS9t7qg #WhaleTales #WhaleTalesPodcast @anaisremili.bsky.social @whalescientists.bsky.social

Can whales smell? The answer is not so simple!

Scientists have assembled the first high-quality genomes of New Zealand’s Hector’s + critically endangered Māui dolphins using degraded DNA—an unprecedented breakthrough that offers insights for conservation and a new path forward for endangered species worldwide. whalescientists.com/new-zealand-...

New Genome Assembly Approach Unlocks Secrets of Critically Endangered Dolphins in New Zealand

Despite working with degraded DNA, scientists assembled high-quality genomes of New Zealand's dolphins, with insights for conservation.

whalescientists.com

A new and exciting @nature.com Communications study reveals baleen whales operate the planet's largest nutrient transport system, moving tons of nitrogen and carbon from polar feeding grounds to tropical breeding areas. Great job @jjkiszka.bsky.social and coauthors ✨

New research reveals the extraordinary energy demands of humpback whale mothers, who travel over 3,000 miles without food to birth and nourish their 2,600-pound calves, a feat now further imperiled by climate change and marine heatwaves disrupting their critical food supply.

🧬 New Paper 🧬 Together with Eve Jourdain, @andrewfoote.bsky.social, @fipsamarra.bsky.social et al. we investigated how ecological & spatio-temporal factors shape gene flow in killer whales from Greenland to Norway. 🧶⬇️ www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Kinship clustering within an ecologically diverse killer whale metapopulation - Heredity

Heredity - Kinship clustering within an ecologically diverse killer whale metapopulation

nature.com

New study: Researchers studied how "forever chemicals" (PFAS) are affecting Arctic wildlife, specifically polar bears and ringed seals.

Did you know killer whale poo is green? @anaisremili.bsky.social has been working with some precious samples for a metabolomics project. She told us the shades vary from green-brownish to bright green.

Dreaming of a career in whale research but worried about needing a PhD? Good news—you don’t need one to contribute meaningfully to the field!

Ever wondered how scientists identify sperm whales? Traditionally, it’s all about capturing photos of their tail flukes when they dive. But what if the whales don’t dive? Enter drones: a game-changer in marine mammal research.

Dive into the icy waters of the Southern Ocean and discover the hauntingly beautiful vocalizations of Antarctic seals. 🦭✨ whalescientists.com/seal-antarct...

Seal singers in Antarctica: From love songs to ultrasonic vocalizations

Seal species in Antarctica use unique sounds for communication and navigation in their frigid remote habitat

whalescientists.com

🧪 How To Study The Deepest Diving Whales? Use Chemistry! 🐋 Beaked whales are elusive deep divers, making them tough to study. But stable isotope analysis is changing that!

The Australian snubfin dolphin is one of Australia’s only endemic dolphin species, identified as a new species in 2005. This small dolphin is adorable, but it faces conservation threats due to its small population and coastal habitat preference. whalescientists.com/australian-s...