B+omurai

=** Omura’s Whale **=



[]  Genus: Balaenoptera Species: B. omurai Class: Mammalia Order: Cetacea Family: Balaenoptiidae Year Assessed: 2008 DD= Data Deficient It is an endangered species because the range of the species is poorly known and has only recently been studied. It may have been subject to commerical whaling and by-catch. It can be inferred that // B. omurai // have been taken in the Philippines artisanal whale fisheries. No specific conservation measures have been taken, but // B. omurai // will have been an incidental beneficiary of the area restrictions on pelagic whaling. __ Countries __ Cocos (Keeling) Islands; Indonesia; Japan; Malaysia; Philippines; Solomon Islands __ Oceans __ Indian Ocean – eastern; Pacific – northwest; Pacific – western central Not much is known about the habitat of Omura’s Whale because it is a new species.
 * Endangered Species **
 * Location of Ecosystem **

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__ Indian Ocean __ Latitude: 30°N - 12°S, 32°E - 130°E Temp: 30˚C ( 86 ˚F) Salinity: 33.5 - 34 PSS Tide Average: 0.37 meters (Low tide) - 1.07 meters (High tide) = .70 meters
 * Physical Habitat Features**

Geological Processes: Currents: __ Pacific- western __ Latitude: 30˚ - 60˚ N Temp: 25˚-28.5˚C (77˚F-83.3˚F) Salinity: 34.3 to 34.9 PSS Tidal Range: 0.17 Currents and Tides: Geological Processes:
 * Earthquakes
 * Volcanoes
 * Seafloor Spreading
 * Subduction
 * Tsunami
 * Agulhas Current
 * East Madagascar Current
 * Somali Current
 * Mozambique Current
 * Leeuwin Current
 * North Equatorial Current
 * Indonesian Through-flow
 * Indian Monsoon
 * West Wind Drift Current
 * In general, the Pacific has low tides
 * South Equatorial Current
 * East Australian Current
 * West Wind Drift
 * Peru (Humboldt) Current
 * Earthquakes
 * Volcanoes
 * Seafloor Spreading
 * Subduction

Omura’s whale are common in the western North Pacific, mainly north of 20°N in summer and south of 20°N in winter. In the eastern North Pacific, they do not venture north of southern California. The reason for this is not known. They occur throughout the tropical Pacific, and across the South Pacific.
 * Migration Patterns/Population Estimates **

Omura’s whales travel throughout the Indian Ocean. Those in the southern Indian Ocean appear to be large-type animals as are the Omura’s whales of the northwest Indian Ocean.

These whales do not really have a migration pattern. They stay with in the Indian and western Pacific Ocean all year long.

The population estimate for // B. omurai // is an estimate of 1,800 from sightings data for the Solomon Islands “Bryde’s whale” stock. The possibility that some of the animals seen may have been // B. brydei/edeni // gives little reliance to this information. The global population size is unknown.

**Survival Trends** Since the general population of Omura’s Whale is unknown it is hard to say whether or not their population is increasing or decreasing. The only reason their population could be decreasing is due to by-catch.

The appearance of Omura’s Whale is similar to that of the Fin Whale. It is a bit smaller but they both have a brownish-black color with light stomachs. Omura’s Whale has a long, slender body and a broad, flat rostrum. [] Omura’s Whale generally leaves a solitary life. Only small groups of them have been observed at a time. The breeding location of this species is unknown. Gestation lasts about 12 months and the calves nurse for 6 months. Calves are about 13ft in length, weighing 2,000lbs at birth. Males reach sexual maturity at 8-13 years, with females maturing sexually at 7-10 years.
 * Appearance **
 * Reproduction **

**Omura’s Whales have a very broad and short head, with between 40 and 70 ventral grooves, and relatively large eyes. The whale has twin blowholes with a low splashguard to the front. It has no teeth but has two rows of baleen plates. The prominently curved, pointed dorsal fin is readily seen when a Omura’s Whale surfaces. The flippers are small and slender; the broad, centrally notched tail flukes never break the surface. Their back is generally dark grey or blue to black, the ventral area a lighter cream, shading to whitish beige on the belly. [|[[http://www.whaleresearch.org/images/mystery_whale.gifF|http://www.whaleresearch.org/images/mystery_whale.gif]]] ** Food Chain/ Web ** Omura's whales are a predominantly coastal species, although offshore populations are known to exist. Their major food sources, krill and copepods, live in all regions. They feed on small fish sometimes. As the whale opens its large mouth to gulp up the prey, the pleats of its lower jaw expand to contain the large volume of water. The whale then presses its tongue up against the roof of its mouth, straining the water through its 500-700 baleen plates. These 16- 17 inch plates are composed of keratin, the same substance of fingernails and hair. The ends of baleen are brush-like, preventing the prey from escaping. The prey remain inside, and are consequently swallowed.
 * Anatomy

Omura’s Whale does not have any predators.

** Economic Importance **Omura’s Whales are not used for economic purposes because little is really known about the species. The fact that their population is not really known and that they haven’t been studied is the main reason this species is not economically important.

The only reason that the Omura’s Whale could be considered endangered is because scientists know that their population is not high, by-catch can be extremely damaging to their population. Pollution is an ever growing problem as well and it is effecting many species of whale.
 * Reason for Endangerment **

No specific conservation measures have been taken. // B. omurai // would have been a beneficiary of the area restrictions on pelagic whaling that were originally designed to protect the low-latitude winter breeding grounds of other baleen whale species. > > Sources: > [] > [] > [] > [] > [] > > **SCAVENGER HUNT:** 1. What are five countries where Omura’s Whale can be found? 2. How much do Omura’s Whale calves weigh at birth? 3. How many sightings have there been off the Solomon Islands?
 * Conservation **
 * Solutions **
 * The governments of Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, and the Solomon Islands could have pollution control programs.
 * They can do more research on the species so we can monitor their population and reproduction.
 * Restrict whaling in the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions