@article{,

title = {New Determination of Prey and Parasite Species for Northern Indian Ocean Blue Whales},

author = {de Vos,Asha,Faux,Cassandra E.,Marthick,James,Dickinson,Joanne,Jarman,Simon N.},

url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2018.00104},

issn = {2296-7745},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-01-01},

journal = {Frontiers in Marine Science},

volume = {5},

number = {84},

abstract = {Blue whales are little studied, face significant anthropogenic threats and within the Northern Indian Ocean, have a restricted range, making them an archetype for conservation needs of megafauna around the world. We studied feeding behaviour of blue whales using dietary DNA metabarcoding of faecal samples. While globally blue whale populations feed predominantly on Euphausiidae, 87 % of prey DNA amplicons extracted from faecal samples from this population were sergestid shrimp, demonstrating that blue whales can locate and feed on dense swarms of other types of prey when they occur. Within the Indian Ocean sergestids are present within the top 300 m, which correlates with the deep scattering layer observed by hydroacoustics. Studies suggest that this requirement to dive deeper in search of prey likely explains the prevalence of fluke up diving within this population of blue whales relative to other parts of the globe. Furthermore, this study revealed the presence of acanthocephalan endoparasites within the stomach and intestines of the Northern Indian Ocean blue whales. This represents the first record of Acanthocephala in blue whales in the Northern Indian Ocean and highlights the need for further studies on both the ecto- and endoparasitic flora and monitoring of health of these cetaceans for their management and conservation.},

keywords = {Acanthocephala, Arabian Sea, balaenoptera musculus, behaviour, blue whales, DNA metabarcoding,Sri Lanka,Blue whales,feeding,Northern Indian Ocean,faeces,Sergestid,Euphausiidae,Acanthocephala,shrimp,krill,behaviour, euphasids, Faeces, fecal analysis, feeding, Krill, Northern Indian Ocean, parasites, prey, Sergestid shrimp, shrimp, Sri Lanka},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Molecular Genetic Identification of Beached Whales in Sri Lanka from Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Data},

author = {Nanayakkara, Ranil P.,Herath, H. M. J. C. B.,Mel, Ruvinda K. de,Kusuminda, T. G. Tharaka},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-01-01},

journal = {Ceylon Journal of Science},

volume = {43},

number = {179},

pages = {73},

abstract = {In the current study we attempt to identify eight baleen whale carcasses that were washed ashore to the Western, Northwestern and Southern coasts of Sri Lanka in 2010, using molecular phylogenetic techniques. Initial physical examination suggested that these carcasses belonged to blue whales ( Balaenoptera musculus ). Analysis of sequences of the mitochondrial control region from baleen whales confirmed that the samples belonged to blue whales ( Balaenoptera musculus ). However, it was impossible to identify the population of blue whales the individuals belonged to, due to the lack of strong population genetic signals in the mitochondrial control region sequences.},

keywords = {Arabian Sea, balaenoptera musculus, Blue whale, genetics, Indian Ocean, mtDNA, Sri Lanka},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Surface and dive times of the Blue Whale (},

author = {Nanayakkara, Ranil,de Mel, Ruvinda,Kusuminda, Tharaka,Cabral de Mel, Surendranie},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-01-01},

journal = {NeBIO I An international journal of environment and biodiversity},

volume = {Vol. 5, No. 4},

number = {177},

pages = {1-3},

abstract = {Dive times of a single Blue Whale observed in Trincomalee Bay, Sri Lanka, in relation to the abiotic parameters of the bay’s waters and its ability to support large densities of krill from May 2011 to July 2011. Thirty five total dives were observed and its mean dive time was 9.6 ± 0.31 min. The observed whale’s feeding dives lasted longer than what has been previously recorded for blue whales in the Pacific Ocean. The mean salinity, Mean Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and mean temperature of Trincomalee Bay was respectively 28.1± 4.8 ppt, 9.92 ± 0.3 mg/L and 28.81 ± 0.96 0 C. All studied abiotic parameters of Trincomalee Bay show that it is able to support large concentrations of krill. Trincomalee Bay thus seems to serve as a highly productive hunting ground for Blue Whales in the northern Indian Ocean.},

keywords = {Arabian Sea, balaenoptera musculus, Blue whale, dive duration, dive time, feeding, Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, Surfacing behaviour},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Cetacean Presence in the Trincomalee Bay and Adjacent Waters, Sri Lanka},

author = {Nanayakkara, Ranil P.,Herath, Jayampathi,de Mel, Ruvinda K.},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/819263},

issn = {2633-4666},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Marine Biology},

volume = {2014},

number = {180},

pages = {819263},

publisher = {Hindawi Publishing Corporation},

abstract = {In Sri Lanka thirty species of cetaceans have been recorded to date. The canyon at Trincomalee bay is a multiple submarine canyon complex and anecdotal reports suggest that the Trincomalee bay and its adjacent waters are utilised by a number of cetacean species. Though Cetaceans are known to be abundant in the waters off Trincomalee there is a dearth of research and data pertaining to the abundance and species frequenting the Trincomalee bay and its adjacent waters. As such the current study was initiated, to get a consensus of the abundance and occurrences of species in Trincomalee Bay and its adjacent waters. Field surveys were carried out for 19 months and the research platform was a 35-foot commercial fishing vessel. 177 cetacean encounters were recorded on 67 of the 75 field days. Remarkably a total of 11 species of cetaceans which composed of two species of Baleen Whales and nine species of Toothed Whales were recorded. Delphinidae was the most common family recorded, followed by Balaenopteridae, Ziphiidae, Physeteridae, and Kogiidae. Spinner Dolphins were the most abundant cetacean owing to the large pods observed and the regularity of the sightings. They were the only species seen feeding/traveling with birds and fish (tuna). Sperm Whales, Blue Whales, and Bryde’s Whales were also relatively common. Two records of interspecific association between cetaceans were recorded. The increase in the human population in the study area has resulted in the overexploitation of marine resources which has dire repercussions on the marine mammal communities found in these waters.},

keywords = {Arabian Sea, balaenoptera edeni, balaenoptera musculus, Blue whale, Bryde’s whale, Distribution, diversity, Indian Ocean, Physeter macrocephalus, sperm whale, Spinner dolphin, Sri Lanka, Stenella longirostris},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Surfacing characteristics and diving behaviour of blue whales in Sri Lankan waters},

author = {de Vos, Asha,Christiansen, Fredrik,Harcourt, Robert G.,Pattiaratchi, Charitha B.},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022098113003298},

issn = {0022-0981},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology},

volume = {449},

number = {83},

pages = {149-153},

abstract = {Surfacing behaviour and dive characteristics were quantified from focal follows of individual blue whales between January–March 2012 and 2013. During this period individual whales were followed from small boats to observe their surfacing patterns and breathing behaviour. Data on time at first surface, length of surface interval, number of blows, final dive time and whether or not the whale ‘fluked up’ before a deep dive were recorded. A step-wise modelling approach was used to estimate a number of surfacing characteristics: mean Inter-Breath Interval (IBI), bout duration and the number of surfacings in a bout. First, dives were classified as either surface dives or deep dives based on the occurrence of arching or fluking behaviour at the surface prior to a deep dive. The mean IBI of surface dives was 17.6s (SD=26.14) and for deep dives, 640.3s (SD=214.38). To account for temporal dependence between dive types, a first-order Markov chain was used to estimate the transition probability between dive types. Time series of dive types were then simulated, using Monte Carlo methods, while accounting for heterogeneity in IBI of the different dive types. The mean IBI of blue whales in Sri Lanka, obtained from the Monte Carlo methods, was 84.7s (SD=11.17). The mean bout duration was 145s (SD=28.31), with the mean number of breaths per surface bout being 9.3 (SD=1.43). Whales also lifted their tail flukes out of the water on 55% of terminal dives, which is considerably more frequent than elsewhere in the world. These results significantly advance our understanding of blue whales in Sri Lankan waters. More specifically, this information is essential for the calculation of precise abundance estimates as it informs the detection probability parameters for line transect surveys. In this way it will help formulate better management decisions related to the conservation of this population.},

keywords = {Arabian Sea, availability bias, balaenoptera musculus, Blue whale, Markov chains, Monte Carlo, Northern Indian Ocean, ship strike, Surfacing behaviour, Whale watching},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Seasonal distribution, movements and taxonomic status of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) in the northern Indian Ocean},

author = {Anderson, R.C.,Branch, T.A.,Alagiyawadu, A.,Baldwin, A.L.,Marsac, F.},

url = {https://hal.ird.fr/ird-00777313/document},

year  = {2012},

date = {2012-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Cetacean Research and Management},

volume = {12},

number = {291},

pages = {203–218},

abstract = {There is a distinct population of blue whales, Balaenoptera musculus, in the northern Indian Ocean. The taxonomic status of these animals has long

been uncertain, with debate over whether this population represents a distinct subspecies, and if so which name should apply. They have most

frequently been assigned to B. musculus brevicauda, but are currently considered to be B. m. indica. The movements of these blue whales within

the northern Indian Ocean are poorly understood. This paper reviews catches (n = 1,288), sightings (n = 448, with a minimum of 783 animals),

strandings (n = 64) and acoustic detections (n = 6 locations); uses ocean colour data to estimate seasonality of primary productivity in different

areas of the northern Indian Ocean; and develops a migration hypothesis. It is suggested that most of these whales feed in the Arabian Sea off the

coasts of Somalia and the Arabian peninsula during the period of intense upwelling associated with the southwest monsoon (from about May to

October). At the same time some blue whales also feed in the area of upwelling off the southwest coast of India and west coast of Sri Lanka. When

the southwest monsoon dies down in about October–November these upwellings cease. The blue whales then disperse more widely to eke out the

leaner months of the northeast monsoon (during about December to March) in other localised areas with seasonally high productivity. These include

the east coast of Sri Lanka, the waters west of the Maldives, the vicinity of the Indus Canyon (at least historically), and some parts of the southern

Indian Ocean. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that at least some of the blue whales that feed off the east coast of Sri Lanka in the

northeast monsoon also feed in the Arabian Sea during the southwest monsoon. These whales appear to migrate eastwards past the north of Maldives

and south of Sri Lanka in about December–January, returning westwards in about April–May.},

keywords = {Arabian Sea, balaenoptera musculus, Blue whale, Indian Ocean, Maldives, Movements, Oman, taxonomy},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Exploring anthropogenic activities that threaten endangered blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) off Sri Lanka},

author = {Ilangakoon, A. D.},

url = {http://www.oers.ca/journal/volume5/issue1/Ilangakoon_Gallery.pdf},

year  = {2012},

date = {2012-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Marine Animals and their Ecology},

volume = {5},

number = {114},

pages = {3-7},

abstract = {The waters off Sri Lanka, an island in the northern Indian

Ocean, are an important habitat for blue whales, a species listed as

Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The

subspecies status, genetic affinities and movement patterns of this

northern Indian Ocean population of blue whales is not yet clearly

understood but off Sri Lanka they can be found throughout the

year. Sri Lanka also lies on a busy international shipping lane. Since

2009 a boat-based commercial whale-watching industry targeting

the blue whale, has been developing off the south coast, with

annual growth in numbers of boats and visitors. This industry

however remains unregulated in any formal or informal manner due

to the absence of regulatory mechanisms in this small, developing,

island nation. Consequently unethical practices are leading to

harassment resulting in direct and indirect impacts on the targeted

whales. Sighting and stranding data from before and after the

inception of whale watching activities indicate a spatial shift in the

area of occurrence and concentration of whales and a corresponding

increase in fatal vessel collisions along the southwest coastline of

the island. There are clear indications of displacement from

preferred near-shore feeding areas to the vicinity of the adjacent

shipping lane, causing an increase in collision risk. Although these

findings are based on limited data, it is recommended that a

precautionary principal is followed and anthropogenic activities are

quickly regulated to mitigate adverse impacts on these endangered

blue whales. },

keywords = {Arabian Sea, balaenoptera musculus, Blue whale, impacts, Northern Indian Ocean, shipping, Sri Lanka, Whale watching},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Past and present distribution, densities and movements of blue whales },

author = {Branch, T.A.,Stafford, K.M.,Palacios, D. M.,Allison, C.,Bannister, J.L,Burton, C.L.K.,Cabrera, E.,Carlson, C.A.,Galletti Vernazzani, B.,Gill, P.C.,Hucke-Gaete, R.,Jenner, K.C.S.,Jenner, M-N.,Matsuoka, K.,Mikhalev, Y.A.,Miyashita, T.,Morrice, M.G.,Nishiwaki, S.,Sturrock, V.J.,Tormosov, D.D.,Anderson, R.C.,Baker, A. N.,Best, P.B.,Borsa, P.,Brownell Jr, R.L.,Childerhouse, S.,Findlay, K.,Gerrodette, T.,Ilangakoon, A.,Joergensen, M.,Khan, B.,Ljungblad, D.K.,Maughan, B.,McCauley, R.D.,McKay, S.,Norris, T.F.,Oman Whale and Dolphin Research Group,Rankin, S.,Samaran, F.,Thiele, D.,Van Waerebeek, K.,Warneke, R.M.},

year  = {2007},

date = {2007-01-01},

journal = {Mammal Review},

volume = {37},

number = {332},

pages = {116-175},

abstract = {1. Blue whale locations in the Southern Hemisphere and northern Indian Ocean were

obtained from catches (303 239), sightings (4383 records of  8058 whales), strandings (103),

Discovery marks (2191) and recoveries (95), and acoustic recordings.

2. Sighting surveys included 7 480 450 km of effort plus 14 676 days with unmeasured effort.

Groups usually consisted of solitary whales (65.2%) or pairs (24.6%); larger feeding aggregations

of unassociated individuals were only rarely observed. Sighting rates (groups per

1000 km from many platform types) varied by four orders of magnitude and were lowest in

the waters of Brazil, South Africa, the eastern tropical Pacific, Antarctica and South Georgia;

higher in the Subantarctic and Peru; and highest around Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Chile,

southern Australia and south of Madagascar.

3. Blue whales avoid the oligotrophic central gyres of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic

Oceans, but are more common where phytoplankton densities are high, and where there are

dynamic oceanographic processes like upwelling and frontal meandering.

4. Compared with historical catches, the Antarctic (‘true’) subspecies is exceedingly rare and

usually concentrated closer to the summer pack ice. In summer they are found throughout the

Antarctic; in winter they migrate to southern Africa (although recent sightings there are rare)

and to other northerly locations (based on acoustics), although some overwinter in the

Antarctic.

5. Pygmy blue whales are found around the Indian Ocean and from southern Australia to

New Zealand. At least four groupings are evident: northern Indian Ocean, from Madagascar

to the Subantarctic, Indonesia to western and southern Australia, and from New Zealand

northwards to the equator. Sighting rates are typically much higher than for Antarctic blue

whales.},

keywords = {balaenoptera musculus, Blue whale, breeding grounds, Distribution, feeding grounds, Indian Ocean, Oman, Southern Hemispher},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}