@article{,

title = {The World's Most Isolated and Distinct Whale Population? Humpback Whales of the Arabian Sea},

author = {Pomilla, Cristina,Amaral, Ana R.,Collins, Tim,Minton, Gianna,Findlay, Ken,Leslie, Matthew S.,Ponnampalam, Louisa,Baldwin, Robert,Rosenbaum, Howard},

url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0114162},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-01-01},

journal = {PLoS ONE},

volume = {9},

number = {194},

pages = {e114162},

publisher = {Public Library of Science},

abstract = {
A clear understanding of population structure is essential for assessing conservation status and implementing management strategies. A small, non-migratory population of humpback whales in the Arabian Sea is classified as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, an assessment constrained by a lack of data, including limited understanding of its relationship to other populations. We analysed 11 microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA sequences extracted from 67 Arabian Sea humpback whale tissue samples and compared them to equivalent datasets from the Southern Hemisphere and North Pacific. Results show that the Arabian Sea population is highly distinct; estimates of gene flow and divergence times suggest a Southern Indian Ocean origin but indicate that it has been isolated for approximately 70,000 years, remarkable for a species that is typically highly migratory. Genetic diversity values are significantly lower than those obtained for Southern Hemisphere populations and signatures of ancient and recent genetic bottlenecks were identified. Our findings suggest this is the world's most isolated humpback whale population, which, when combined with low population abundance estimates and anthropogenic threats, raises concern for its survival. We recommend an amendment of the status of the population to “Critically Endangered” on the IUCN Red List.
},

keywords = {Arabian Sea, Evolution, Genetic differentiation, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, migration, population identity, Stock identity, Threats},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin of the Arabian region: a status review},

author = {Baldwin,R.M.,Collins,T.J.Q.,Van Waerebeek,K.,Minton,G.},

url = {https://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=247:the-indo-pacific-humpback-dolphin-of-the-arabian-region-a-status-review&catid=13&Itemid=157},

year  = {2004},

date = {2004-01-01},

journal = {Aquatic Mammals},

volume = {30},

number = {319},

pages = {111-124},

abstract = {Records of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin sightings, strandings, and museum specimens in the Arabian region were compiled and used to review the distribution and status of this species. Nominal usage of Sousa chinensis (Osbeck, 1765) has been retained as a pragmatic measure, although the species present in the region resembles Sousa plumbea (G. Cuvier, 1828). Little is known about the ecology of this species in the region. Most available information on S. chinensis in the region originates from the Sultanate of Oman, where this species is among the most commonly recorded cetaceans. However, there is no absolute measure of abundance for anywhere in the region and the status of the species is unknown. Distribution is described for the region to include much of the Arabian (Persian) Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, but notably excludes the Gulf of Oman. This discontinuous distribution suggests the possible presence of discrete populations within the region. Beach-cast/dead individuals represent nearly two-thirds of all records (n=303) of this species in Oman. Live sightings indicate unusually large group sizes (up to 100 individuals) in the Arabian Sea and Arabian Gulf. Occasional associations with Tursiops sp. and Delphinus capensis tropicalis were documented. Mating behaviour and the presence of calves were recorded in the months of April and May and calves are also reported in June, October, November and December. Threats to humpback dolphins in the Arabian region include incidental capture in fishing nets, coastal and offshore development (e.g. land reclamation, dredging, port and harbour construction), pollution, boat traffic, oil and gas exploration (including seismic surveying), military exercises and biotoxins associated with red tide events. Evidence for historic and current directed catches of S. chinensis is limited, but opportunistic hunting may occur. Intraspecific variation in cranial measurements of individuals from the Arabian Sea coast of Oman fall within relative values found in individuals from the Saudi Arabian Gulf coast. Cranial abnormalities were few. Recommendations are made for conservation management-oriented research focusing on stock identity and status assessments, as well as for monitoring of fisheries bycatch, clearer definition of other threats, continued specimen and sample collection and training of local scientists.},

keywords = {abundance, Arabian Gulf, Arabian region, Arabian Sea, associations, behaviour, Boat traffic, cetacean, cetaceans, conservation, development, Distribution, dolphin, dolphins, ecology, Fisheries, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, humpback dolphins, incidental capture, military, museum specimens, nets, Oman, pollution, population, populations, Red Sea, status, Stock identity, Strandings, tursiops},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Morphology and distribution of the spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, rough-toothed dolphin, Steno brednanensis and melon-headed whale, Peponocephala electra, from waters off the Sultanate of Oman},

author = {Van Waerebeek,K.,Gallagher,M.,Baldwin,R.,Papastavrou,V.,Al-Lawati,S.M.},

year  = {1999},

date = {1999-01-01},

journal = {The Journal of Cetacean Research and Management},

volume = {1},

number = {491},

pages = {167-177},

abstract = {Two previously mis-identified specimens at the Oman Natural History Museum are re-identified as a melon-headed whale and a rough-toothed dolphin.  Body lengths of adult male spinner dolphins were smaller than any known stock of spinner dolphins except the dwarf forms in Thailand and Australia and skulls were indistinguishable from those of the eastern spinner dolphins (S.l. orientalis).  Two colour morphs of spinner dolphins were observed.  The paper concludes that Oman spinner dolphins should be treated as a discrete population, morphologically distinct from all known spinner dolphin sub-species.},

keywords = {Distribution, Indian Ocean, length, melon-headed whale, morphometrics, Oman, rough-toothed dolphin, Spinner dolphin, Stock identity, taxonomy},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Increase rates in severely depleted stocks of baleen whales},

author = {Best,P.B.},

year  = {1993},

date = {1993-01-01},

journal = {ICES Journal of Marine Science},

volume = {50},

number = {43},

pages = {169-186},

abstract = {The paper tries to examine the status of all known stocks of baleen whales that were depleted to an estimated 10% of their original abundance.  Of 44 such stocks, 18 are classified as not feasible to monitor (including Arabian Sea humpbacks), 12 have been or are being monitored (at the time of writing), and increase rates have been demonstrated for 10 of those.  The author concludes that more depleted stocks show higher rates of increase than less depleted stocks, and that most populations are reaching a size which would allow harvesting (a minimum of 60% of their pre-exploitation numbers according to the IWC).  The paper points out some interesting problems with the use of historical whaling data and mark-recapture in estimating fecundity rates.  It also suggests that population increases were not detected in the  years immediately following protection for two reasons: 1) commercial catches were underreported and initial post-whaling population estimates were too high, 2) following population decreases, whales may condense their ranges, leaving some historical feeding or breeding sites to form concentration areas, some of which were only recently discovered.},

keywords = {abundance, Arabian Sea, baleen whales, historical whaling, population estimates, Stock identity, whaling},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}