Short Communication: A novel hypopigmentation for southeast Pacific humpback whales
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Southeast Pacific humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate annually to breeding grounds in Machalilla, Ecuador, and Uramba Bahía Málaga, Colombia. This species usually displays a black/ grey body colouration with its dorsal and caudal fins exposed above water. Between 2005 and 2023, whales in these regions were studied and photographed on 1,627 days. Results indicated that 29 whales have novel body markings, including white spots, irregular circles and sinuous lines, which resemble the paintings of 20th Century artist Jackson Pollock. While this novel ‘Pollock‐style’ pigmentation does not appear to cause health problems, we recommend further studies to evaluate its origin and effects.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt remix, transform, and build upon the material
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- NonCommercial You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
- No additional restrictions You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.