Molecular identification, fatty acid profile and trace elements in a stranded fin whale in Sabah (Borneo, Malaysia): implications on migration routes and trophic ecology of southern fin whales
Fin whales are a cosmopolitan species found in the largest water masses of the world. In Malaysia, aswell as other tropical countries in the Southeast Asian region, literature on fin whales is limited, and as aresult, there is confusion regarding their distribution range in the region. This study ut...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Acad Sinica Inst Zoology
2022
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/61/61-79.html https://doi.org/10.6620/ZS.2022.61-79 http://ecite.utas.edu.au/154155 |
| Summary: | Fin whales are a cosmopolitan species found in the largest water masses of the world. In Malaysia, aswell as other tropical countries in the Southeast Asian region, literature on fin whales is limited, and as aresult, there is confusion regarding their distribution range in the region. This study utilizes the fresh tissueof the skin and blubber of a dead fin whale that was stranded in Sabah (Borneo, Malaysia) on the coastof the South China Sea to confirm the species identity, possible properties of the species diet, and anytrace element contamination. The DNA profile results confirmed that the whale belonged to Balaenopteraphysalus. Further investigation of its cytochrome b gene sequence indicated that it was closely related tothe southern fin whale ( Balaenoptera physalus quoyi ). This finding indicates that fin whales indeed migrateto warm tropical waters and that their continuous global distribution spans the equatorial region. Thedominant fatty acids, such as C18:0, C16:1, C18:1N9T and C16:0 profiles, were consistent with the pelagic plankton diet that the whale would have had during its migration in the tropical waters of the South ChinaSea. The whales are likely pelagic feeders and thus need to be offshore, which would explain why theyare rarely seen in shallow coastal areas during migration in these waters. The concentrations of K, Ca, Sc,Mg and Al ranged from 0.45 μg g -1 to 7.80 μg g -1 , while Cr, Cd, As and Pb were either very low or could notbe detected. This is consistent with concentrations of trace elements previously reported for other baleenwhale genera from the Southern Ocean. Our study demonstrates the importance of the South China Seaas a migration route for the southern fin whale, since it is a rich food source with relatively low contaminantlevels. The South China Sea is therefore well-suited to ensure these whales survival during migration. |
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