Family BALAENOPTERIDAE
Compiler and date details
December 2010 - Updated by Stephen M. Jackson, c/- Queensland Museum, Brisbane, following Van Dyck & Strahan (2008)
31 December 1998 - J.L. Bannister (1988); updated by Barry J. Richardson (1999), Centre for Biostructural and Biomolecular Research, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury
Introduction
Six balaenopterid species (five rorquals and the humpback whale) are known from Australian waters. T
hey have short, broad baleen plates which usually are continuous anteriorly. The mandibles are distinctly bowed outwardly. Externally, the throat has numerous parallel grooves. The dorsal fin is present, but small. The rostrum of the skull is broad and flat and the cervical vertebrae unfused.
Varyingly gregarious, the group includes the fastest of all whales. Tropic-polar migrations occur in all except one species. Although krill comprises the dietary staple, small schooling fish also may be eaten. Formerly abundant, most species have been hunted and their populations greatly reduced.
General References
Bannister, J.L. 1989. Balaenopteridae. pp. 982-987 in Walton, D.W. & Richardson, B.J. (eds). Fauna of Australia. Mammalia. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 1B 827 pp.
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16-Dec-2010 | 16-Dec-2010 | MODIFIED | ||
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |