Unique humpback whales found in the Arabian Sea
Scientists have determined that the humpback whale population in the Arabian Sea sings a unique song and is genetically distinct from its relatives, providing grounds for designating a fourth subspecies — Megaptera novaeangliae indica.
Scientists have discovered that the humpback whale population in the Arabian Sea represents a unique group that may be designated as a new subspecies. Unlike most humpbacks, which undertake large-scale seasonal migrations, the Arabian whales remain year-round in warm tropical and subtropical waters. In addition, they sing songs unlike any others in the world's oceans. Specialists from the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Environment Society of Oman conducted a genetic analysis, collecting DNA samples from local whales and comparing them with data from 2,285 individuals from different regions. The results showed a high level of genetic divergence, providing grounds for designating a fourth subspecies — Megaptera novaeangliae indica. The final decision must be made by the Taxonomy Committee of the Society for Marine Mammalogy. The discovery expands scientific understanding of cetacean diversity.