What is it about?
Hormones are stored in baleen and can provide a time series of the stress and reproductive history of the individual. In this first ever study of hormones in the critically endangered Rice's whale, we have shown possible non-seasonality, pregnancy, and stress responses and a "moribund pattern" prior to prolonged deaths.
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Photo by NOAA on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Our findings add to the limited information known on the Rice's whale. We provide the first ever look into gestation length and non-seasonality in this species. We also demonstrate a technique to estimate rates of causes of deaths.
Perspectives
We hope this article can shed more light on this critically endangered species. With an increased spotlight and additional knowledge on this species, we hope we can influence a push in conservation.
Rebecca Evey
George Mason University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Baleen hormone analyses reveal stress and reproductive life-history of the critically endangered Rice’s whale (Balaenoptera ricei), PLOS One, May 2026, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0347749.
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