Is the Sea Off Odisha, North‑Western Bay of Bengal, a Favourable Feeding Ground of Bryde’s Whale [Balaenoptera edeni Anderson, 1878]? Research Communication.
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Shesdev Patro [1] ; Sunil Kumar Padhi [1] ; Gitanjali Bhoi [1] ; Siba Prasad Parida [2] ; Anil Mohapatra [3] ; P. Krishnan [4]
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[1] Berhampur University
Berhampur University
India
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[2] University of Technology and Management
University of Technology and Management
India
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[3] Estuarine Biology Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India
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[4] National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, ICAR
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- Localización: Thalassas: An international journal of marine sciences, ISSN 0212-5919, Vol. 38, Nº. 1, 2022, págs. 267-272
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
Seasonal occurrence of baleen whales along Odisha coast is investigated based on critical evaluation of the stranding data collected from beach surveys, citizen reports and unpublished records during2016- 2020. The study reveals that there have been 18 instances of whale stranding in Odisha of which baleen whales accounted for 12 (66.6%) and Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) alone accounted for 11 instances (61%). Two of the incidents were noted while data review and 16 were investigated in the feld and by observing photographs. As the lengths of 55% of the individuals of Bryde’s whale stranded in Odisha were less than the size at which they attain sexual maturity (<39 feet), their seasonal migration to this coast could not be conclusively attributed to mating, breeding or calving purposes. However, a critical review of the seasonal distribution data showed that 91% of the strandings of Bryde’s whale in Odisha beaches occurred during post-monsoon season (November-February), which coincides with the period of high productivity and availability of plenty of food. This leads us to hypothesize that Bryde’s whales, the inhabitants of all tropical and warm temperate waters between 40ºN and 40ºS, possibly migrate to seawaters of Odisha coast, along north-western side of Bay of Bengal for feeding purposes. However, the stranding data alone could not ascertain the habitat use and hence the study calls for further investigations such as stomach content, stable isotopes analysis, and/ or visual observation of feeding activity of the whales in the region to confrm their purpose of congregation as feeding. The study further claims a thorough investigation to understand the reason behind instances of stranding and mortality of baleen whales along the Odisha coast.
