Unique humpback whales in the Arabian Sea may represent a fourth subspecies
Researchers have found that humpback whales living in the Arabian Sea are genetically and behaviorally distinct enough to be considered a separate subspecies.
A new study shows that humpback whales inhabiting the Arabian Sea have evolved in isolation for many millennia, resulting in unique genetic markers and distinct vocalizations. Unlike other humpbacks, they remain in warm waters throughout the year, especially off the coast of Oman, yet their breeding timing mirrors populations in the northern hemisphere. Analysis of 2,285 whale DNA samples from around the globe revealed a pronounced genetic gap between this group and the three established subspecies.
Researchers also examined DNA from a 19th-century specimen discovered near Basra, Iraq, confirming its close relation to the Arabian Sea whales. If formally accepted, the population could be designated as a fourth subspecies, tentatively named Megaptera novaeangliae indica. The whales face serious threats, including entanglement, ship strikes, noise pollution, disease, and climate-driven changes to food availability.
Why it matters
Identifying a distinct humpback subspecies highlights the need for targeted conservation of a vulnerable, isolated whale population.
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