蓝鲸:修订间差异

维基百科,自由的百科全书
删除的内容 添加的内容
Yelets留言 | 贡献
回退到由Simelibaby (讨论)做出的修订版本47983757:移除有来源内容。#此次编辑由Yelets使用Twinkle作出,如有异议可讨论或回退。
标签撤销
T22022留言 | 贡献
翻譯外文連結
标签添加不合規範之跨語言連結 疑似違反兩岸用語方針 加入博客链接 检查外部链接 增加广告宣传内容 由可视化编辑器切换为wikitext编辑器 添加文件
第1行: 第1行:
{{Translating|||time=2018-05-12T06:14:39+00:00}}
{{Otheruses}}
{{Other uses}}
{{refimprove|time=2016-07-17T14:57:42+00:00}}
{{pp-semi|small=yes}}
{{Speciesbox
{{pp-move-indef}}
| status = EN
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
| status_system = iucn3.1
{{Featured article}}
| status_ref =<ref>{{IUCN2009|assessors=Reilly, S.B., Bannister, J.L., Bes., Brown, M., Brownell Jr., R.L., Butterworth, D.S., Clapham, P.J., Cooke, J., Donovan, G.P., Urbán, J. & Zerbini, A.N|year=2008|id=2477|title=Balaenoptera musculus|downloaded=31 August 2009}}</ref>
{{speciesbox
| image = Bluewhale877.jpg
| fossil_range = {{fossil range|1.0|0|[[Quaternary]] – Recent}} <ref name="http://fossilworks.org/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=70696">{{cite web|website=Fossilworks Gateway to Paleontology|title=Fossilworks Dataway|url=http://fossilworks.org/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=70696|accessdate=2018-04-20}}</ref>
| image_width = 250px
| name = Blue whale<ref name=msw3>{{MSW3 Mead | id = 14300018 | page = 725}}</ref>
| image_caption = 一頭出現在東太平洋海域的成年藍鯨
| status = EN
| image2 = Blue whale size.svg
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| image2_width = 250px
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn">{{Cite journal | author = Reilly, S.B. | author2 = Bannister, J.L. | author3 = Best, P.B. | author4 = Brown, M. | author5 = Brownell Jr., R.L. | author6 = Butterworth, D.S. | author7 = Clapham, P.J. | author8 = Cooke, J. | author9 = Donovan, G.P. | author10 = Urbán, J. | author11 = Zerbini, A.N. | last-author-amp = yes | title = ''Balaenoptera musculus'' | journal = [[The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]] | volume = 2008 | page = e.T2477A9447146 | publisher = [[IUCN]] | date = 2008 | url = http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/2477/0 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T2477A9447146.en | access-date = 27 December 2017}}</ref>
| image2_caption = 與人類體型的對比
| image = Anim1754 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg
| taxon=Balaenoptera musculus
| image_caption = Adult blue whale <br />(''Balaenoptera musculus'')
| authority = ([[Linnaeus]], 1758)
| range_map = Cypron-Range Balaenoptera musculus.svg
| image2 = blue whale size.svg
| image2_caption = Size compared to an average human
| range_map_width = 250px
| genus = Balaenoptera
| range_map_caption = 藍鯨的棲息範圍
| species = musculus
| subdivision_ranks = [[亞種]]
| authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]])
| subdivision =
| subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
* ''B. m. brevicauda'' <small>Ichihara, 1966年</small>
| subdivision =
* ''[[Pygmy blue whale|B. m. brevicauda]]'' <small>Ichihara, 1966</small>
* ?''B. m. indica'' <small>Blyth, 1859</small>
* ''[[B. m. intermedia]]'' <small>Burmeister, 1871</small>
* ''B. m. musculus'' <small>Linnaeus, 1758</small>
| range_map = Cypron-Range Balaenoptera musculus.svg
| range_map_caption = Blue whale range (in blue)
| synonyms =
* ''Balaenoptera gibbar'' <small>[[William Scoresby|Scoresby]], 1820</small>
* ''Pterobalaena gigas'' <small>[[Pierre-Joseph van Beneden|Van Beneden]], 1861</small>
* ''Physalus latirostris'' <small>[[William Henry Flower|Flower]], 1864</small>
* ''Sibbaldius borealis'' <small>[[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1866</small>
* ''Flowerius gigas'' <small>[[Wilhelm Lilljeborg|Lilljeborg]], 1867</small>
* ''Sibbaldius sulfureus'' <small>[[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], 1869</small>
* ''Balaenoptera sibbaldii'' <small>[[Georg Ossian Sars|Sars]], 1875</small>
}}
}}


The '''blue whale''' (''Balaenoptera musculus'') is a [[marine mammal]] belonging to the [[baleen whale]]s ([[Mysticeti]]).<ref name="factsheet" /> At up to {{convert|30|m|ft}}<ref name=pop /> in length and with a maximum recorded weight of {{convert|173|tonne|short ton|lk=on|abbr=off|-1}}<ref name=pop /> and probably reaching over {{convert|181|tonne|short ton|lk=on|abbr=off}}, it is the [[Largest organisms|largest animal]] known to have ever existed.<ref name=G.S.Paul2010>{{cite book|last=Paul|first=Gregory S.|title=The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs|edition=Second|url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=PFuzDAAAQBAJ|page=19}}|date=25 October 2016|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-1-4008-8314-1|page=19}}</ref><ref name=Bortolotti />
'''藍鯨'''<ref name=msw3/>([[學名]]:''{{lang|la|Balaenoptera musculus}}'')是屬於[[须鲸小目]]<ref name="factsheet" />的海洋[[哺乳動物]]。藍鯨是地球上現存體型最大的動物<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/AnimalRecords/ |title=Animal Records |publisher=Smithsonian National Zoological Park |accessdate=2007-05-29 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5gJ2eCdk7?url=http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/AnimalRecords/ |archivedate=2009-04-25 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://science.howstuffworks.com/question687.htm | title = What is the biggest animal ever to exist on Earth? | publisher = How Stuff Works | accessdate = 2007-05-29}}</ref>,長超過33米,重達200公噸以上。


Long and slender, the blue whale's body can be various shades of bluish-grey dorsally and somewhat lighter underneath.<ref>{{cite web| title = Species Fact Sheets: Balaenoptera musculus (Linnaeus, 1758)| publisher = Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, [[Food and Agriculture Organization]], [[United Nations]]|url = http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2744| accessdate = 24 December 2012}}</ref> There are at least three distinct [[subspecies]]: ''B. m. musculus'' of the [[Atlantic Ocean|North Atlantic]] and North Pacific, ''B. m. intermedia'' of the [[Southern Ocean]] and ''B. m. brevicauda'' (also known as the [[pygmy blue whale]]) found in the [[Indian Ocean]] and [[Pacific Ocean|South Pacific Ocean]]. ''B. m. indica'', found in the Indian Ocean, may be another subspecies. As with other baleen whales, its diet consists almost exclusively of small [[crustacean]]s known as [[krill]].<ref name="wheelock">{{cite web
藍鯨的身軀瘦長,背部青灰色,不過在水中看起來有時顏色會比較淡<ref>[http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2744 FI - Species fact sheets.] Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, Food and Agriculture Organization.</ref>。目前已知藍鯨至少有三個亞種:生活在北大西洋和北太平洋的''B. m. musculus'';棲息在[[南冰洋]]的''B. m. intermedia''與[[印度洋]]和南太平洋的''B. m. brevicauda''(也稱侏儒藍鯨)。在印度洋發現的''B. m. indica''則可能是另一個亞種。與其他鬚鯨一樣,藍鯨主要以小型[[甲殼類]](例如[[磷蝦]])與小型[[魚類]]為食,有時也包括[[魷魚]]。
| title = Contaminant analysis of organochlorines in blubber biopsies from blue whales in the St. Lawrence Seaway | publisher = Trent University |last1=de Koning |first1=Jason |last2=Wild |first2=Geoff | year = 1997 | url = http://whale.wheelock.edu/bwcontaminants/welcome.html | accessdate = 29 June 2007}}</ref>


Blue whales were abundant in nearly all the oceans on [[Earth]] until the beginning of the twentieth century. For over a century, they were hunted almost to [[extinction]] by [[whaling|whalers]] until protected by the international community in 1966. A 2002 report estimated there were 5,000 to 12,000 blue whales worldwide,<ref name=pop>{{cite web | title = Assessment and Update Status Report on the Blue Whale ''Balaenoptera musculus'' | publisher = Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada | year = 2002 | url = http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/virtual_sara/files/cosewic/sr_blue_whale_e.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 19 April 2007}}</ref> in at least five groups. The [[IUCN]] estimates that there are probably between 10,000 and 25,000 blue whales worldwide today.<ref name="iucnredlist.org">[http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/2477/0 IUCN Red List] Retrieved 21 June 2016</ref> Before whaling, the largest population was in the [[Antarctic]], numbering approximately 239,000 (range 202,000 to 311,000).<ref name = Ant>{{cite journal |last1=Branch |first1=T. A. |last2=Matsuoka |first2=K. |last3=Miyashita |first3=T. | title = Evidence for increases in Antarctic blue whales based on Bayesian modelling | journal = Marine Mammal Science | volume = 20 | pages = 726–754 | year = 2004 | doi = 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2004.tb01190.x | issue = 4}}</ref> There remain only much smaller (around 2,000) concentrations in each of the eastern North [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]], [[Antarctica|Antarctic]], and Indian Ocean groups. There are two more groups in the North [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]], and at least two in the [[Southern Hemisphere]]. As of 2014, the Eastern North Pacific blue whale population had rebounded to nearly its pre-hunting population.<ref name="iflscience.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/california-blue-whales-bounce-back-whaling|title=California Blue Whales Bounce Back From Whaling|publisher=}}</ref>
直到20世紀初,在世界上幾乎每片海域中藍鯨的數量都相當多。在超過40年後,捕鯨者的獵殺使牠們幾乎滅絕。直到國際社會在1966年開始保育藍鯨後,藍鯨的數量才逐漸上升。一份2002年的報告估計目前世界上藍鯨的數量在5,000至12,000頭之間<ref name=pop>{{cite web|url=http://www.wildwhales.org/cetaceans/blue/sr_blue_whale_e.pdf.pdf|publisher=Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada|date=2002|title=Assessment and Update Status Report on the Blue Whale ''Balaenoptera musculus''|accessdate=2007-04-19|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040521080350/http://www.wildwhales.org/cetaceans/blue/sr_blue_whale_e.pdf.pdf|archivedate=2004-05-21}}</ref>,並分佈在至少5個族群中。最近對於侏儒藍鯨的研究顯示這個數字可能是低估了實際的數量<ref name=BBC_pop>{{Cite web| author = Alex Kirby, BBC News | year = 2003 | title = Science seeks clues to pygmy whale | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3003564.stm | accessdate = 2006-04-21}}</ref>。在捕鯨活動開始前,藍鯨最大的族群是在南極海域,估計大約有239,000頭(範圍介於202,000與311,000之間)<ref name = Ant>{{cite journal | title = Evidence for increases in Antarctic blue whales based on Bayesian modelling | author = T.A. Branch, K. Matsuoka and T. Miyashita | journal = Marine Mammal Science | volume = 20 | pages = 726–754|year = 2004}}</ref>。目前在東北太平洋、南極海與印度洋的數量已經比之前大为减少(大約各只有2,000頭)。在北[[大西洋]]則有2個更大的集團,在[[南半球]]至少也有2個集團。
[[File:Large Blue Whale Off Southern California Coast Photo D Ramey Logan.jpg|thumb|''Balaenoptera musculus'']]


== 分類和進化 ==
== Taxonomy ==
{{See also|Evolution of cetaceans}}
{{seealso|鯨魚演化}}
Blue whales are [[rorquals]] (family [[Balaenopteridae]]), a family that includes the [[humpback whale]], the [[fin whale]], [[Bryde's whale]], the [[sei whale]], and the [[minke whale]].<ref name="factsheet" /> The family Balaenopteridae is believed to have diverged from the other families of the suborder [[Mysticeti]] as long ago as the middle [[Oligocene]] (28 [[Ma (unit)|Ma]] ago). The blue whale lineage diverged from the other rorquals during the Miocene, between 7.5 and 10.5 million years ago. However, gene flow between the species appears to have continued beyond that date. The blue whale has the greatest genetic diversity of any baleen whale, and a higher than average diversity among mammals.<ref>http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/4/eaap9873.full</ref>
藍鯨属于[[鬚鯨科]],這個科的成員還包括[[座头鲸]]、[[塞鯨]]、[[布氏鯨]]與[[小鬚鯨]]<ref name="factsheet">{{Citation|url=http://www.acsonline.org/factpack/bluewhl.htm |title=American Cetacean Society Fact Sheet - Blue Whales |publisher= |accessdate=2007-06-20 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711025158/http://www.acsonline.org/factpack/bluewhl.htm |archivedate=2007-07-11 }}</ref>。[[鬚鯨科]]被認為早在[[漸新世]]中期就和[[鬚鯨亞目]]的其他科分離。但是對於鬚鯨科的成員何時彼此分離演化還未知。雖然藍鯨通常被歸類在[[鬚鯨屬]],但也有學者將牠歸類在單型屬-藍鯨屬(''Sibbaldus'')中<ref>{{cite book | author= Barnes LG, McLeod SA. |editor= Jones ML et al. |title= The Gray Whale |year= 1984|publisher= Academic Press |location= Orlando, Florida|language= en | isbn = 0123891809|pages=3-32 |chapter= The fossil record and phyletic relationships of gray whales.}}</ref>,不过這種分類方法並沒有被其他學者接受<ref name=msw3/>。[[DNA]]序列分析顯示,藍鯨比其屬中的其他物種在種系上更接近[[座头鲸]]和[[灰鯨]]。如果進一步的測試可以證實這種關係的話,將有把鬚鯨重分類的必要。[[File:Rorqual phylogenetic tree zh hant.svg|left|thumbnail|250px|與藍鯨相關的動物[[系統發生樹]]]]


The blue whale is usually classified as one of eight species in the genus ''Balaenoptera''; one authority places it in a separate monotypic genus, ''Sibbaldus'',<ref name="JonesSwartz1984">{{cite book|first1=Mary Lou |last1=Jones|first2=Steven L. |last2=Swartz|title=The Gray whale: Eschrichtius robustus|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=vg4XAQAAIAAJ}}|date=28 October 1984|publisher=Academic Press|isbn=978-0-12-389180-8}}</ref> but this is not accepted elsewhere.<ref name=msw3 /> [[DNA]] [[sequencing]] analysis indicates that the blue whale is [[phylogenetics|phylogenetically]] closer to the sei whale (''Balaenoptera borealis'') and Bryde's whale (''Balaenoptera brydei'') than to other ''Balaenoptera'' species, and closer to the humpback whale (''Megaptera'') and the [[gray whale]] (''Eschrichtius'') than to the minke whales (''Balaenoptera acutorostrata'' and ''Balaenoptera bonaerensis'').<ref>{{cite journal
關於藍鯨與[[長鬚鯨]]在野外雜交而誕生的成鯨至少有11項文獻記載。阿倫遜(Arnason)和格爾伯格(Gullberg)認為藍鯨和鰭鯨的差別類似於人類和[[大猩猩]]之間的差異<ref>{{cite journal | author = A. Arnason and A. Gullberg | title = Comparison between the complete mtDNA sequences of the blue and fin whale, two species that can hybridize in nature | journal = Journal of Molecular Ecology | year = 1993 | volume = 37|pages = 312–322}}</ref>。目前也已知有藍鯨與大翅鯨之間的雜交種。
|author1=Arnason, U. |author2=Gullberg A. |author3=Widegren, B. | title = Cetacean mitochondrial DNA control region: sequences of all extant baleen whales and two sperm whale species
| journal = Molecular Biology and Evolution
| volume = 10
| issue = 5
| pages = 960–970
| date = 1 September 1993
| pmid = 8412655
| url = http://mbe.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/10/5/960
| accessdate = 25 January 2009
}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
| author = Sasaki, T.
| title = Mitochondrial phylogenetics and evolution of mysticete whales
| journal = [[Systematic Biology]]
| volume = 54
| issue = 1
| pages = 77–90
| date = 4 March 2011
| doi = 10.1080/10635150590905939
| url = http://sysbio.oxfordjournals.org/content/54/1/77.full
| pmid = 15805012
|display-authors=etal}}</ref>


There have been at least 11 documented cases of blue whale-[[fin whale]] hybrid adults in the wild. Arnason and Gullberg describe the genetic distance between a blue and a fin as about the same as that between a human and a gorilla.<ref>{{cite journal
藍鯨的学名稱''musculus''來自於[[拉丁語]],有“強健”的意思,但也可以譯為“小老鼠”<ref>{{cite book | last = Simpson | first = D.P. | title = Cassell's Latin Dictionary | publisher = Cassell Ltd. | date = 1979 | edition = 5 | location = London | pages = 883 | id = ISBN 978-0-304-52257-6}}</ref>。[[卡爾·林奈|林奈]]在1758年的開創性著作《[[自然系統]]》(''Systema Naturae'')中完成了該種類的命名<ref>{{la icon}} {{cite book | last=Linnaeus | first=C | authorlink=Carolus Linnaeus | title=Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata. | publisher=Holmiae.(Laurentii Salvii). | date=1758| pages=824 | url= }}</ref>,他可能知道這一點,然後幽默地用了這個帶有諷刺意味的[[雙關語]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9367.html |title=Blue Whale Fact Sheet |publisher=New York State Department of Environmental Conservation |accessdate=2007-06-29 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930013115/http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9367.html |archivedate=2007-09-30 }}</ref>。藍鯨在[[赫尔曼·梅尔维尔]]的小說《[[白鯨記]]》中被稱為'''硫磺底'''(Sulphur-bottom),因為[[矽藻]]附著在藍鯨的皮膚上,使得牠們的下側呈現橘棕色或淡黃色,因此其也称为'''磺底鲸'''。{{cn|其他常見的名稱還有'''西巴德鯨'''、'''塞巴氏须鲸'''(Sibbald's Rorqual,由[[羅伯特·西巴德]]所命名),'''大藍鯨'''(Great Blue Whale)與'''大北鬚鯨'''、'''巨北须鲸'''(Great Northern Rorqual),不過近幾十年來這些名稱漸漸被人們所遺忘。}}
|last1=Arnason |first1=A.
|last2=Gullberg |first2=A.
| title = Comparison between the complete mtDNA sequences of the blue and fin whale, two species that can hybridize in nature
| journal = [[Journal of Molecular Evolution]]
| year = 1993
| volume = 37
| issue = 4
| pages = 312–322
| pmid = 8308901
}}</ref> Researchers working off Fiji believe they photographed a hybrid [[Humpback whale|humpback]]-blue whale<ref>[http://www.whalecenter.org/amazarch.htm Amazing Whale Facts Archive] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317124216/http://www.whalecenter.org/amazarch.htm |date=17 March 2009 }}. Whale Center of New England (WCNE). Retrieved on 27 February 2008.</ref> including the discovery through DNA analysis from a meat sample found in a Japanese market.<ref>{{cite journal|ref=harv|last1=Palumbi|first1=S.R.|authorlink1=Stephen R. Palumbi|last2=Cipriano|first2=F.|title=Species Identification Using Genetic Tools: The Value of Nuclear and Mitochondrial Gene Sequences in Whale Conservation|journal=[[Journal of Heredity]]|year=1998|volume=89|issue = 5|pages=459–464|url=http://jhered.oxfordjournals.org/content/89/5/459.full.pdf|doi=10.1093/jhered/89.5.459|pmid=9768497}}</ref><ref>Ogino M. (2005)『クジラの死体はかく語る』, [[Kodansha]]</ref>


The first published description of the blue whale comes from [[Robert Sibbald]]'s ''Phalainologia Nova'' (1694). In September 1692, Sibbald found a blue whale that had stranded in the [[Firth of Forth]] – a male {{convert|78|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}} long – that had "black, horny plates" and "two large apertures approaching a pyramid in shape".<ref name=Bortolotti />
目前權威專家將藍鯨分類成3或4個亞種:北藍鯨包括北太平洋與北大西洋的族群、生活在南極海的南藍鯨、在印度洋與南太平洋被發現的侏儒藍鯨<ref>Ichihara T.(1966). The pygmy blue whale ''B. m. brevicauda'', a new subspecies from the Antarctic in ''Whales, dolphins and porpoises'' Page (s) 79-113.</ref>與一個仍有疑問的亞種:大印度藍鯨,牠們也在印度洋被發現,儘管之前這個亞種被懷疑可能就是侏儒藍鯨<ref name=msw3>{{Citation | author= Mead, James G., and Robert L. Brownell, Jr.(2005年11月16日) |editor= Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M(3rd edition) |title= [http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/ ''Mammal Species of the World''] |year= |publisher= Johns Hopkins University Press |location= |language= en | isbn = 0801882214 |pages= 725 |chapter= }}</ref>。


The specific name ''musculus'' is [[Latin]] and could mean "muscle", but it can also be interpreted as "little mouse".<ref name="Simpson1968">{{cite book|first=D. P. |last=Simpson|title=Cassell's Latin dictionary: Latin-English, English-Latin|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=p3E-ngEACAAJ}}|year=1968|publisher=Cassell|isbn=978-0-02-522570-1}}</ref> [[Carl Linnaeus]], who named the species in his seminal ''[[Systema Naturae]]'' of 1758,<ref>{{cite book
== 特徵與行為 ==
| last = Linnaeus | first= C. | authorlink = Carl Linnaeus
[[File:Blue Whale 001 body bw.jpg|thumbnail|250px|一頭成年的藍鯨]]
| title = Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I
[[File:Bl-4.JPG|thumbnail|250px|從空中俯瞰一隻蓝鲸,可以見到兩邊的胸鳍]]
| edition = [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|Editio decima, reformata]]
[[File:Bluewhale 300.jpg|thumb|250px|蓝鲸呼吸時造成的水柱]]
| publisher = Laurentii Salvii |location=Holmiae
[[File:Bl-10 blue.jpg|thumb|250px|藍鯨小型[[背鰭]]在照片左側隱約可見]]
| year = 1758
| page = 824
| url = {{google books|plainurl=y|id=CkbcO9as-Y4C}}
| language = la}}</ref> would have known this and may have intended the ironic [[double entendre|double meaning]].<ref>{{cite web
| title = Blue Whale Fact Sheet
| publisher = New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
| url = http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9367.html
| accessdate = 29 June 2007
| deadurl = yes
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930013115/http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9367.html
| archivedate = 30 September 2007
| df = dmy-all
}}</ref> [[Herman Melville]] called this species "sulphur-bottom" in his novel ''[[Cetology of Moby-Dick|Moby-Dick]]'' (1851) due to an orange-brown or yellow tinge on the underparts from [[diatom]] films on the skin. Other common names for the blue whale have included "Sibbald's rorqual" (after Sibbald, who first described the species), the "great blue whale" and the "great northern rorqual". These names have now fallen into disuse. The first known usage of the term "blue whale" was in Melville's ''Moby-Dick'', which only mentions it in passing and does not specifically attribute it to the species in question. The name was really derived from the Norwegian ''blåhval'', coined by [[Svend Foyn]] shortly after he had perfected the harpoon gun; the Norwegian scientist [[Georg Ossian Sars|G. O. Sars]] adopted it as the Norwegian common name in 1874.<ref name=Bortolotti>{{cite book|last=Bortolotti|first=Dan|title=Wild Blue: A Natural History of the World's Largest Animal|url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=MGq3G2NIgjYC}}|date=14 October 2008|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=978-1-4299-8777-6}}</ref>


Authorities classify the species into three or four subspecies: ''B. m. musculus'', the northern blue whale consisting of the North Atlantic and North Pacific populations, ''B. m. intermedia'', the southern blue whale of the [[Southern Ocean]], ''B. m. brevicauda'', the [[pygmy blue whale]] found in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific,<ref>Ichihara T. (1966). The pygmy blue whale ''B. m. brevicauda'', a new subspecies from the Antarctic in ''Whales, dolphins and porpoises'' Page(s) 79–113.</ref> and the more problematic ''B. m. indica'', the great Indian rorqual, which is also found in the Indian Ocean and, although described earlier, may be the same subspecies as ''B. m. brevicauda''.<ref name=msw3 />
吞食海水後將海水排出(參見捕食)。藍鯨[[背鰭]]小<ref name="des" />,{{cn|只有在下潛的過程中短暫可見。背鰭大概位於身體的四分之三的地方,它們的形狀則因藍鯨的個體而有所不同,有一些個體僅有一個剛好可以辨識的隆起而已,但是其他個體則可能擁有明顯的鐮型背鰭。當藍鯨要浮出水面呼吸時,會將肩部和氣孔突出水面,牠們突出水面的範圍比其他的大型鯨魚(例如[[長鬚鯨]]和[[塞鯨]])還要大。這個特徵經常被觀察者從海洋生物來辨識牠們的線索。一些棲息在北大西洋與北太平洋的藍鯨會在潛水時升起牠們的尾鰭。}}


The pygmy blue whale formed from a founder group of Antarctic blue whales about 20,000 years ago, around the [[Last Glacial Maximum]]. This is likely because blue whales were driven north by expanding ice, and some have stayed there ever since. The pygmy blue whale's evolutionarily recent origins cause it to have a relatively low genetic diversity.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2015/05/06/4229961.htm "Hunting not to blame for pygmy blue whale's tiny gene pool"]</ref>
藍鯨呼吸時會噴出的一道壯觀的垂直水柱(可以達到12公尺,一般為9公尺),如果在風平浪靜的海面上則可以從非常遙遠的距離目擊到这些水柱。藍鯨的[[肺]]活量為5,000[[升]](1320[[加侖]])。藍鯨擁有兩個氣孔,並受到一個巨大「防護罩」的保護<ref name="des">{{Citation | url = http://www.wdcs.org/404.php | title = Size and Description of the Blue Whale species | publisher = | accessdate = 2007-06-15}}</ref>。


== Description ==
藍鯨的鰭肢長3-4公尺(10至13英呎)。胸鰭的上方呈灰色,並有狹窄的白色邊緣,而下方則是全白的。牠們的頭部和尾鰭一般為灰色。藍鯨背部通常是雜色的,有時胸鰭也是這個顏色。斑紋變化的程度則因個體而有所不同。有些個體可能全身都是灰色的,但是其他的個體則是深藍,灰色和黑色互相混合在一起<ref name="factsheet">{{cite web|url=http://www.acsonline.org/factpack/bluewhl.htm |title=American Cetacean Society Fact Sheet - Blue Whales |accessdate=2007-06-20 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711025158/http://www.acsonline.org/factpack/bluewhl.htm |archivedate=2007-07-11 }}</ref>。
[[File:Blue whale tail.JPG|thumb|right|A blue whale lifting its tail flukes]]
[[File:Blue Whale 001 body bw.jpg|thumb|right|Adult blue whale]]
The blue whale has a long tapering body that appears stretched in comparison with the stockier build of other whales.<ref name="des">{{cite web | title = Size and Description of the Blue Whale Species | url = http://www.wdcs.org/dan/publishing.nsf/allweb/F8FE8974A62E12F88025696D004A8EE9<!--http://uk.whales.org/species-guide/blue-whale-->| accessdate = 15 June 2007 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071001144738/http://www.wdcs.org/dan/publishing.nsf/allweb/F8FE8974A62E12F88025696D004A8EE9 | archivedate = 1 October 2007 | publisher = Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society}}</ref> The head is flat, ''U''-shaped and has a prominent ridge running from the [[Blowhole (anatomy)|blowhole]] to the top of the upper lip.<ref name="des" /> The front part of the mouth is thick with [[baleen]] plates; around 300 plates, each around {{convert|1|m|ft|abbr=off|spell=in}} long,<ref name="des" /> hang from the upper jaw, running {{convert|0.5|m|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} back into the mouth. Between 70 and 118 grooves (called ventral pleats) run along the throat parallel to the body length. These pleats assist with evacuating water from the mouth after lunge feeding (see [[Blue whale#Feeding|feeding]] below).


The [[dorsal fin]] is small;<ref name="des" /> its height averages about {{convert|28|cm}}, and usually ranges between {{convert|20|and|40|cm|in|abbr=on}}, though it can be as small as {{convert|8|cm|in|abbr=on}} or as large as {{convert|70|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name="MacWheel1929">{{cite journal| last1 = Mackintosh | first1 = N. A. | last2 = Wheeler | first2 = J. F. G. | year = 1929 | title = Southern blue and fin whales |journal = Discovery Reports | volume = I| pages = 259–540}}</ref> It is visible only briefly during the dive sequence. Located around three-quarters of the way along the length of the body, it varies in shape from one individual to another; some only have a barely perceptible lump, but others may have prominent and falcate (sickle-shaped) dorsals. When surfacing to breathe, the blue whale raises its shoulder and blowhole out of the water to a greater extent than other large whales, such as the fin or sei whales. Observers can use this trait to differentiate between species at sea. Some blue whales in the North Atlantic and North Pacific raise their tail fluke when diving. When breathing, the whale emits a vertical single-column spout, typically {{convert|9|m|ft}} high, but reaching up to {{convert|12|m|ft}}. Its [[lung]] capacity is {{convert|5000|l|USgal}}. Blue whales have twin blowholes shielded by a large splashguard.<ref name="des" />
藍鯨的短距離衝刺的速度可以達到50公里/時(30[[英里]]),這通常發生在和其他鯨魚互动時,但是平常的游泳速度則為20公里/時(12英里)<ref name="factsheet" />。當牠們哺乳的時候,速度會降到5公里/時(3英里)。


The flippers are {{convert|3|-|4|m|ft}} long. The upper sides are grey with a thin white border; the lower sides are white. The head and tail fluke are generally uniformly grey. The whale's upper parts, and sometimes the flippers, are usually mottled. The degree of mottling varies substantially from individual to individual. Some may have a uniform slate-grey color, but others demonstrate a considerable variation of dark blues, greys and blacks, all tightly mottled.<ref name="factsheet">{{cite web| title = American Cetacean Society Fact Sheet – Blue Whales | url = http://www.acsonline.org/factpack/bluewhl.htm | accessdate = 20 June 2007 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070711025158/http://www.acsonline.org/factpack/bluewhl.htm <!-- Added by H3llBot --> | archivedate = 11 July 2007}}</ref>
{{cn|藍鯨通常獨居或者和另一隻藍鯨共同生活。目前尚未知道,這些共居的藍鯨是長時間生活在一起,還是形成更為鬆散的關係。在食物高度密集的區域中,能看到多達50隻藍鯨聚集在在很小的範圍之內,但是牠們不會像其他鬚鯨那樣形成組織嚴密的大團體。}}


Blue whales can reach speeds of {{convert|50|km/h|mph}} over short bursts, usually when interacting with other whales, but {{convert|20|km/h|mph}} is a more typical traveling speed.<ref name="factsheet" /> Satellite [[telemetry]] of Australian pygmy blue whales [[Animal Migration|migrating]] to [[Indonesia]] has shown that they cover between {{convert|0.09|and|455.8|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} per day.<ref>"Migratory Movements of Pygmy Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) between Australia and Indonesia as Revealed by Satellite Telemetry" by Michael C. Double, Virginia Andrews-Goff, K. Curt S. Jenner, Micheline-Nicole Jenner, Sarah M. Laverick, Trevor A. Branch, Nicholas J. Gales
=== 體型 ===
Published: April 9, 2014 http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0093578</ref> When feeding, they slow down to {{convert|5|km/h|mph}}.
因為藍鯨的體積太過巨大,所以很難去測量牠們的體重。許多捕鯨人所獵殺的藍鯨並沒有完全測量過重量,因為他們首先會將鯨魚切成容易處理的大小。這導致藍鯨的總重量被低估,因為牠們的[[血液]]與體液都流失掉了。儘管如此,仍然有重150至180公噸(160至190[[短噸]]),長27公尺的藍鯨被紀錄過。一隻長30公尺的個體被美國[[國家海洋哺乳類研究室]](National Marine Mammal Laboratory)認為牠的重量會超過180公噸(200短噸)。直到目前為止,國家海洋哺乳類研究室的科學家精確測量過最巨大的藍鯨是一隻重177公噸(196短噸)的雌鯨<ref name=pop />。{{cn|不過目前已知雌鯨比雄鯨更大,不同於雄性更大的齒鯨。}}


Blue whales typically swim at a depth of about {{convert|13|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} when migrating in order to eliminate [[Drag (physics)|drag]] from surface waves. The deepest confirmed dive is {{convert|506|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}}.<ref>"A week in the life of a pygmy blue whale: migratory dive depth overlaps with large vessel drafts" by Kylie Owen, Curt S. Jenner, Micheline-Nicole M. Jenner and Russel D. Andrews 2016 https://animalbiotelemetry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40317-016-0109-4</ref>
藍鯨被認為是[[地球]]上出現過體型最大的動物<ref name="des">{{citeweb|url=http://www.wdcs.org/dan/publishing.nsf/allweb/F8FE8974A62E12F88025696D004A8EE9 |title=Size and Description of the Blue Whale species |accessdate=2007-06-15 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001144738/http://www.wdcs.org/dan/publishing.nsf/allweb/F8FE8974A62E12F88025696D004A8EE9 |archivedate=2007-10-01 }}</ref>。目前已知最大的[[恐龍]]是生活在[[中生代]]的[[阿根廷龍]]<ref>{{es icon}} {{cite journal |author= Bonaparte J, Coria R|year= 1993|title=Un nuevo y gigantesco sauropodo titanosaurio de la Formacion Rio Limay (Albiano-Cenomaniano) de la Provincia del Neuquen, Argentina |journal= Ameghiniana|volume=30 |issue= 3|pages=271-282}}
</ref>,阿根廷龍估計重達90公噸(100短噸),雖然一具受到爭議的[[雙腔龍]][[脊椎骨]]可能顯示出這種生物可以達到122公噸(135短噸)重,長40至60公尺(130至200英尺)<ref name="carpenter2006">Carpenter, K.(2006). "Biggest of the big: a critical re-evaluation of the mega-sauropod ''Amphicoelias fragillimus''." In Foster, J.R. and Lucas, S.G., eds., 2006, ''Paleontology and Geology of the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation.'' New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin '''36''': 131-138.{{cite web |url=https://scientists.dmns.org/sites/kencarpenter/PDFs%20of%20publications/Amphicoelias.pdf |title=存档副本 |accessdate=2008-01-08 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202033905/https://scientists.dmns.org/sites/kencarpenter/PDFs%20of%20publications/Amphicoelias.pdf |archivedate=2007-12-02 }}</ref>,另外一種數據尚未完全確定的[[巨體龍]]估計重達185-250公噸,重量足以超過最大的藍鯨的180公噸。體積最大的藍鯨的數據尚未完全確定。大部分的資料是來自20世紀上半葉,人類在[[南極]]海域捕殺的藍鯨,不過這些資料是由並不精通標準動物測量方法的捕鯨人所收集的。目前記錄到最長的藍鯨為兩隻雌鯨,分別為33.6公尺(110英尺3英寸)和33.3公尺(109英尺3英寸)<ref name = "SearsCal02">{{cite paper | author = Sears R, Calambokidis J | title = Update COSEWIC status report on the Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus in Canada. | publisher = Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Ottawa. | date = 2002 | pages = 32}}</ref>。但是這些數據的可靠性令人爭議。美國國家海洋哺乳動物實驗室(NMML)的[[科學家]]所測量到的最長的藍鯨則是29.9公尺(98英尺)長<ref name=pop />。


Blue whales most commonly live alone or with one other individual. It is not known how long traveling pairs stay together. In locations where there is a high concentration of food, as many as 50 blue whales have been seen scattered over a small area. They do not form the large, close-knit groups seen in other baleen species.
藍鯨的[[舌頭]]大約重2.7公噸(3短噸)<ref name="SM">{{cite book|title=The Scientific Monthly|publisher=American Association for
the Advancement of Science|date=1915|pages=21}}</ref>,當它全部伸展開來時可以攫取90公噸重的食物與海水<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whale.wheelock.edu/bwcontaminants/welcome.html|title=Contaminant analysis of organochlorines in blubber biopsies from Blue Whales in the St Lawrence|publisher=Trent University|author=Jason de Koning and Geoff Wild|date=1997|accessdate=2007-06-29}}</ref>。即使擁有這樣巨大的嘴,藍鯨的喉嚨仍然無法吞下[[沙灘球]]那樣寬的物體<ref>Blue Planet: Frozen seas (BBC documentary)</ref>。牠們的[[心臟]]重180公斤,也是已知的生物中最巨大的<ref name="SM" />。藍鯨的[[主動脈]]則大約23公分寬<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.ucsc.edu/seymourcenter/PDF/2.%20Ms.%20B%20measurements.pdf |title=Ms. Blue's Measurements |author=Caspar, Dave |date=2001 April |accessdate=2006-09-01 |publisher=Seymour Center, University of California, Santa Cruz. |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060918140222/http://www2.ucsc.edu/seymourcenter/PDF/2.%2BMs.%2BB%2Bmeasurements.pdf |archivedate=2006-09-18 }}</ref>。在出生後的7個月內,幼鯨每天要喝400公升(100美國加侖)的母乳。幼鯨的生長速度很快,體重每24小時增加90公斤(200磅)。即使才剛出生,幼鯨的體重就能達到2,700公斤(6,000磅)-相當於一隻成年[[河馬]]的體重<ref name="factsheet" />。


=== Size ===
藍鯨幾乎只捕食[[磷蝦]],雖然牠們也會以[[橈足類]]為食<ref name="afsc">{{cite web|url=http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/nmml/education/cetaceans/blue.php|title=Detailed Information about Blue Whales|publisher=Alaska Fisheries Science Center|date=2004|accessdate=2007-06-14}}</ref>。藍鯨所吃的[[磷虾]]則因地區不同而有所差異。藍鯨在北大西洋主要的食物主要是:[[北方磷蝦]]、[[北極磷蝦]]、''Thysanoessa inermis''和''Thysanoessa longicaudata''<ref>{{cite journal |author= Hjort J, Ruud JT |year=1929 |title=Whaling and fishing in the North Atlantic |journal= Rapp. Proc. Verb. Conseil int. Explor. Mer|volume= 56 |issue= |pages= }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Christensen I, Haug T, Øien N |year=1992 |title= A review of feeding and reproduction in large baleen whales (Mysticeti) and sperm whales ''Physeter macrocephalus'' in Norwegian and adjacent waters. |journal= Fauna Norvegica Series A |volume= 13|issue= |pages=39-48}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author= Sears R, Wenzel FW, Williamson JM |year=1987 |title=The Blue Whale: A Catalogue of Individuals from the Western North Atlantic(Gulf of St. Lawrence) |journal=Mingan Island Cetacean Study, St. Lambert, Quebec.|pages=27}}</ref>。在北太平洋則是:[[太平洋磷蝦]]、''Thysanoessa inermis''、''Thysanoessa longipes''、''Nematoscelis megalops''、''Thysanoessa spinifera''與''Nyctiphanes symplex''<ref>{{cite journal |last=Sears |first=R |year=1990 |title= The Cortez blues |journal= Whalewatcher|volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=12-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Kawamura |first=A |year= 1980 |title= A review of food of balaenopterid whales|journal= Sci. Rep. Whales Res. Inst. |volume=32 |issue= |pages=155-197}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Yochem PK, Leatherwood S|editor=Ridgway SH, Harrison R |title= Handbook of Marine Mammals, Vol. 3:The Sirenians and Baleen Whales.|edition= |year=1980|publisher=Academic Press |location=London |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= 193-240 |chapter= Blue whale ''Balaenoptera musculus'' (Linnaeus, 1758)}}</ref>;{{fact|而在南極則是:[[南極磷蝦]]、''Euphausia crystallorophias''和''Euphausia vallentni''}}。
[[File:Bluewhale2 noaa.jpg|thumb|right|View of a blue whale and its bow wave, showing the [[Blowhole (biology)|blowhole]]]][[File:Bluewhale1 noaa crop.jpg|right|thumb|The blow of a blue whale]]
[[File:Bl-10 blue.jpg|thumb|The small [[dorsal fin]] of this blue whale is just visible on the far left.]]
The blue whale is the largest animal known to have ever lived.<ref name=G.S.Paul2010/><ref name=Bortolotti/>


Blue whales are difficult to weigh because of their size. They were never weighed whole, but cut into blocks {{convert|0.5|–|0.6|m|ft|sp=us}} across and weighed by parts.<ref name=nishiwaki>Masaharu Nishiwaki 1950 "On the Body Weight of Whales" http://www.icrwhale.org/pdf/SC004184-209.pdf</ref> This caused a considerable loss of blood and body fluids, estimated to be about 6% of the total weight.<ref name=lockyer>Lockyer 1976 "Body Weights of some Species of Large Whales" https://www.researchgate.net/publication/240590693_Body_weight_of_some_species_of_large_whales</ref> As a whole, blue whales from the Northern Atlantic and Pacific are smaller on average than those from Antarctic waters. Adult weights typically range from {{convert|45|-|136|tonne|short ton}}.<ref>{{cite book|editor-first1=William F.|editor-last1=Perrin|editor-first2=Bernd|editor-last2= Wursig|editor-first3=J.G.M. 'Hans' |editor-last3=Thewissen|title=Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=2rkHQpToi9sC|page=120}}|date=26 February 2009|publisher=Academic Press|isbn=978-0-08-091993-5|page=120|ref=harv}}</ref> There is some uncertainty about the biggest blue whale ever found, as most data came from blue whales killed in [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] waters during the first half of the twentieth century, which were collected by whalers not well-versed in standard zoological measurement techniques. The standard measuring technique is to measure in a straight line from the upper jaw to the notch in the tail flukes. This came about because the edges of the tail flukes were typically cut off, and the lower jaw often falls open upon death. Many of the larger whales in the whaling records (especially those over {{convert|100|ft|m|1|abbr=on}}) were probably measured incorrectly or even deliberately exaggerated.<ref name="Bortolotti" /> The heaviest weight ever reported was {{convert|173|MT|ST|abbr=off|-1}};<ref name=pop /><ref name="Wood">{{cite book|first=Gerald L.|last=Wood|title=The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=uIqtQgAACAAJ}}|year=1982|publisher=Guinness Superlatives|isbn=978-0-85112-235-9}}</ref> for a southern hemisphere female in 1947,<ref name=pop /> it is likely that the largest blue whales would have weighed over {{convert|200|ST|MT|0}}.<ref name="Bortolotti" /> The longest whales ever recorded were two females measuring {{convert|33.6|and|33.3|m|ft}}, but in neither of these cases was the piecemeal weight gathered.<ref name="SearsCal02">{{cite journal
藍鯨總是在牠們能找到的最密集的磷蝦群中覓食,有時候牠們一天會捕食5,000公斤(8,000磅)的磷蝦<ref name="afsc" />。這意味著,通常藍鯨白天需要在超過100公尺(330英尺)深度的海域來覓食,在夜晚才能到水面覓食。在覓食過程中,藍鯨的潛水時間一般是10分鐘,雖然牠們潛水20分鐘並不少見,而藍鯨最長的潛水時間記錄則是36分鐘(西爾斯、1998年)。藍鯨在捕食的时候是一次吞入大群的磷蝦,並同時吸入大量的海水。然後牠們擠壓腹腔和舌頭將海水從鯨須板的缝隙排出。當口中的海水完全排出後,藍鯨就把剩下這些不能穿過鯨須板的磷蝦吞入。當藍鯨捕食磷蝦時,偶爾也會吞進小型魚類、甲殼類與烏賊<ref>{{cite journal |author= Nemoto T|year=1957 |title=Foods of baleen whales in the northern Pacific |journal= Sci. Rep. Whales Res. Inst. |volume=12 |pages=33-89}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Nemoto T, Kawamura A |year=1977|title= Characteristics of food habits and distribution of baleen whales with special reference to the abundance of North Pacific sei and Bryde’s whales|journal=Rep. int. Whal. Commn |volume= 1|issue=Special Issue|pages=80-87}}</ref>。
|vauthors=Sears R, Calambokidis J | title = Update COSEWIC status report on the blue whale Balaenoptera musculus in Canada
| publisher = Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Ottawa.
| year = 2002
| page = 32
}}</ref> Possibly the largest recorded male was killed near the [[South Shetland Islands]] in 1926 and was measured at {{convert|31.7|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name=small>George L. Small "The Blue Whale" 1971, Columbia University Press</ref>


Females are generally a few feet longer than males. However, males may be slightly heavier on average than females of the same length, owing to heavier muscles and bones.<ref name=nishiwaki /> Verified measurements rarely exceed {{convert|28|m|ft}}. The longest measured by Macintosh and Wheeler (1929) was a female {{convert|28.5|m|ft}}, while the largest male was {{convert|26.45|m|ft}};<ref name="MacWheel1929" /> one of the same authors later found a male of {{convert|26.65|m|ft}} and stated that those lengths may be exceeded.<ref name="Mac1943">{{cite journal| last1 = Mackintosh| first1 = N. A. | year = 1943 | title = The southern stocks of whalebone whales | url = | journal = Discovery Reports |volume = XXII | issue = | pages = 199–300}}</ref> The longest whale measured by scientists was {{convert|30|m|ft}} long.<ref name=pop /> Lieut. Quentin R. Walsh, [[United States Coast Guard|USCG]], while acting as whaling inspector of the [[factory ship]] ''Ulysses'', verified the measurement of a {{convert|30|m|ft|abbr=on}} pregnant blue whale caught in the Antarctic in the 1937–38 season.<ref>Capelotti, P.J. (ed.), Quentin R. Walsh. 2010. ''The Whaling Expedition of the Ulysses, 1937–38'', p. 28.</ref> A {{convert|26.8|m|ft}} male was verified by Japanese scientists in the 1947–48 whaling season.<ref>{{citation|first=Masaharu|last=Nishiwaki|first2=Kazoo|last2=Hayashi|year=1948|title=Biological Survey of Fin and Blue Whales taken in 1947–1948 by the Japanese Fleet|url=http://www.icrwhale.org/pdf/SC003132-190.pdf}}</ref> The longest reported in the North Pacific was a {{convert|27.1|m|ft}} female taken by Japanese whalers in 1959, and the longest reported in the North Atlantic was a {{convert|28|m|ft}} female caught in the [[Davis Strait]].<ref name=Bortolotti /> The average weight of the longest scientifically verified specimens ({{convert|30|m|ft}}) would be calculated to be 176.5 tonnes (194.6 tons), varying from 141 tonnes (155.4 tons) to 211.5 tonnes (233.1 tons) depending on fat condition.<ref name=lockyer /><ref name="books.google.com">{{cite book|first=C.|last=Lockyer |chapter=Growth and Energy Budgets of Large Baleen Whales from the Southern Hemisphere |editor=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Working Party on Marine Mammals|title=Mammals in the Seas: General papers and large cetaceans|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=BKaUpfo2XCUC|page=503}}|year=1978|publisher=Food & Agriculture Org.|isbn=978-92-5-100513-2|pages=503–}}</ref> One study found that a hypothetical {{convert|33|m|ft}} blue whale would be too large to exist in real life, due to metabolic and energy constraints.<ref>Jean Potvin, Jeremy A. Goldbogen, Robert E. Chadwick "Metabolic Expenditures of Lunge Feeding Rorquals Across Scale: Implications for the Evolution of Filter Feeding and the Limits to Maximum Body Size" http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0044854</ref>
=== 生命週期 ===
[[File:BlueWhaleWithCalf.jpg|thumb|300px|一頭未成年的藍鯨與雌鯨]]
藍鯨在晚秋開始交配,並一直持續到冬末<ref name="Art" />,{{cn|而我們對於牠們的交配行為和繁殖區域則所知甚少。雌鯨通常2-3年生產一次,在經過10-12個月的[[妊娠期]]後,一般會在冬初產下幼鯨。幼鯨重約2公噸半(2.75短噸),長約7公尺(23英尺)。藍鯨的幼鯨每天攝取380-570公升的母乳,它每天能長將近100千克,速度著實驚人,會在6個月後斷奶,此時幼鯨的長度達到出生時的2倍。藍鯨通常在8-10歲之間達到性成熟,此時雄鯨的長度至少達到20公尺(南半球的族群更長)。相較之下,雌鯨體型更大,大約在5歲時性成熟,此時牠們長度大約為21公尺。}}


Due to its large size, several organs of the blue whale are the largest in the animal kingdom. A blue whale's [[tongue]] weighs around {{convert|2.7|tonne|short ton}}<ref name="SM">{{cite book
科學家估計藍鯨的壽命至少有80年<ref name = "SearsCal02"/><ref name="Art" >{{Citation |url=http://www.articleworld.org/index.php/Blue_Whale|title=Blue Whale - ArticleWorld|accessdate=2007-07-02}}</ref><ref name="npca">{{cite web|url=http://www.npca.org/marine_and_coastal/marine_wildlife/bluewhale.html|title=www.npca.org|accessdate=2007-06-21}}{{dead link|date=十月 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>,但是由於個體的記錄無法回溯至捕鯨時代,所以要得知藍鯨的確切壽命還要經過很多年。目前單一個體最長的研究記錄是34年,位元於東北太平洋(西爾斯在1998年的報告)。藍鯨在自然界中唯一的天敵是[[虎鯨]]<ref>{{cite journal | title = Sightings and movements of blue whales off central California from 1986–88 from photo-identification of individuals | author = J. Calambokidis, G. H. Steiger, J. C. Cubbage, K. C. Balcomb, C. Ewald, S. Kruse, R. Wells and R. Sears | journal = Rep. Whal. Comm. | volume = 12 | pages = 343–348 | year = 1990}}</ref>。研究報告顯示25%的成年藍鯨都有虎鯨攻擊留下的傷痕<ref name = "SearsCal02"/>,但是攻擊造成的死亡率目前還沒有確切的資料。
|title=The Scientific Monthly
|publisher=American Association for the Advancement of Science
|year=1915
|page=21}}</ref> and, when fully expanded, its mouth is large enough to hold up to {{convert|90|tonne|short ton}} of food and water.<ref name="wheelock" /> Despite the size of its mouth, the dimensions of its throat are such that a blue whale cannot swallow an object wider than a beach ball.<ref>Blue Planet: Frozen seas (BBC documentary)</ref> The [[heart]] of an average sized blue whale weighs {{convert|400|lb|kg}} and is the [[largest body part|largest]] known in any animal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150820-see-the-worlds-biggest-heart-blue-whales-is-first-to-be-preserved?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=BBC_iWonder&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=knowledge_and_learning|title=BBC – Earth – See the world's biggest heart|author=Zoe Gough|publisher=}}</ref> During the first seven months of its life, a blue whale calf drinks approximately {{convert|380|l|gal}} of milk every day. Blue whale calves gain [[body weight|weight]] quickly, as much as {{convert|90|kg|lb}} every 24&nbsp;hours. Even at birth, they weigh up to {{convert|2700|kg|lb|-1}}—the same as a fully grown [[hippopotamus]].<ref name="factsheet" /> Blue whales have proportionally small brains, only about {{convert|6.92|kg|lbs|sigfig=4}}, about 0.007% of its body weight,<ref>Tinker, ''Whales of the World'' (1988, p. 76).</ref> although with a highly convoluted cerebral cortex.<ref name=small /> The [[blue whale penis]] is the largest penis of any living organism<ref name="bioweb">{{cite web|url=http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2012/olson_rile/reproduction.htm|title=Reproduction|publisher=[[University of Wisconsin]]|accessdate=3 October 2012}}</ref> and also set the [[Guinness World Record]] as the longest of any animal's.<ref>[http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-animal-penis Longest animal penis]:<br />''the longest penis belongs to the blue whale at up to 2.4 m (8 ft).''</ref> The reported average length varies but is usually mentioned to have an average length of {{convert|8|to|10|ft|order=flip|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Long2012">{{cite book|last=Long|first=John A.|title=The Dawn of the Deed: The Prehistoric Origins of Sex|url={{google books|plainurl=y |id=TXs4e7eIB9cC|page=24}}|accessdate=3 October 2012|date=11 October 2012|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-49254-4|page=24}}</ref>
[[File:Joey williams with a 19 foot long blue whale skull.jpg|thumb|upright|right|A blue whale [[skull]] measuring {{convert|19|ft|m|order=flip}}]]


== Behaviour ==
藍鯨的擱淺事件是非常少見的,而且因為牠們的社會結構,所以從來沒有聽說過藍鯨發生群體擱淺<ref>William Perrin and Joseph Geraci. "Stranding" pp 1192–1197 in ''Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals''(Perrin, Wursig and Thewissen eds)</ref>。但是當擱淺發生時,將會受到社會大眾的關注。1920年時,一隻藍鯨在[[蘇格蘭]][[外赫布裏底群島]][[路易士島]]的海灘擱淺,牠的頭部被捕鯨人射中,但魚叉卻沒有爆炸。就跟其他動物一樣,藍鯨本能地不惜一切代價堅持呼吸,擱淺可以讓牠不至於溺死。路易士島上兩根矗立在大道旁的藍鯨骨頭吸引了大量遊客<ref>{{cite web | title=The Whale bone Arch | work=Places to Visit around the Isle of Lewis | url=http://www.isle-of-lewis.com/things_to_do/places-to-visit.htm | accessdate=2005-05-18 | deadurl=yes | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050525122251/http://www.isle-of-lewis.com/things_to_do/places-to-visit.htm | archivedate=2005-05-25 }}</ref>。
=== Feeding ===
Blue whales feed almost exclusively on [[krill]], though they also take small numbers of [[copepod]]s.<ref name="afsc">{{cite web
|url=http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/nmml/education/cetaceans/blue.php
|title=Detailed Information about Blue Whales
|publisher=Alaska Fisheries Science Center
|year=2004
| accessdate = 14 June 2007}}</ref> The species of this [[zooplankton]] eaten by blue whales varies from ocean to ocean. In the North Atlantic, ''[[Meganyctiphanes norvegica]]'', ''[[Thysanoessa raschii]]'', ''[[Thysanoessa inermis]]'' and ''[[Thysanoessa longicaudata]]'' are the usual food;<ref>{{cite journal
|vauthors=Hjort J, Ruud JT |year=1929
|title=Whaling and fishing in the North Atlantic
|journal= Rapp. Proc. Verb. Conseil int. Explor. Mer
|volume= 56
}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
|vauthors=Christensen I, Haug T, Øien N |year=1992
|title= A review of feeding and reproduction in large baleen whales (Mysticeti) and sperm whales ''Physeter macrocephalus'' in Norwegian and adjacent waters
|journal= Fauna Norvegica Series a
|volume= 13
|pages=39–48}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
|vauthors=Sears R, Wenzel FW, Williamson JM |year=1987
|title=The Blue Whale: A Catalogue of Individuals from the Western North Atlantic (Gulf of St. Lawrence)
|journal=Mingan Island Cetacean Study, St. Lambert, Quebec.
|page=27}}</ref> in the North Pacific, ''[[Euphausia pacifica]]'', ''[[Thysanoessa inermis]]'', ''[[Thysanoessa longipes]]'', ''[[Thysanoessa spinifera]]'', ''[[Nyctiphanes symplex]]'' and ''[[Nematoscelis megalops]]'';<ref>{{cite journal
|last=Sears
|first=R
|year=1990
|title= The Cortez blues
|journal= Whalewatcher
|volume=24
|issue=2
|pages=12–15}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
|last=Kawamura
|first=A
|year= 1980
|title= A review of food of balaenopterid whales
|journal= Scientific Reports of the Whales Research Institute
|volume=32
|pages=155–197}}</ref><ref>{{cite book
|vauthors=Yochem PK, Leatherwood S |veditors=Ridgway SH, Harrison R |title= Handbook of Marine Mammals, Vol. 3:The Sirenians and Baleen Whales.
|edition=
|year=1980
|publisher=Academic Press
|location=London
|isbn=
|oclc=
|id=
|pages= 193–240
|chapter= Blue whale ''Balaenoptera musculus'' (Linnaeus, 1758)}}</ref> and in the Southern Hemisphere, ''[[Euphausia superba]]'', ''[[Euphausia crystallorophias]]'', ''[[Euphausia valentini]]'', and ''[[Nyctiphanes australis]]''.


An adult blue whale can eat up to 40&nbsp;million krill in a day.<ref name=wwf>{{cite web|url=http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/cetaceans/about/blue_whale/|title=Blue whale|publisher=WWF|accessdate=11 March 2014}}</ref> The whales always feed in the areas with the highest concentration of krill, sometimes eating up to {{convert|3600|kg|lb}} of krill in a single day.<ref name="afsc" /> The daily energy requirement of an adult blue whale is in the region of {{convert|1.5|e6kcal|GJ}}.<ref>[[Ross Piper|Piper, Ross]] (2007), ''Extraordinary Animals: An Encyclopedia of Curious and Unusual Animals'', [[Greenwood Press]].</ref> Their feeding habits are seasonal. Blue whales gorge on krill in the rich waters of the Antarctic before migrating to their breeding grounds in the warmer, less-rich waters nearer the equator. The blue whale can take in up to 90 times as much energy as it expends, allowing it to build up considerable energy reserves.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19841-blue-whale-feeding-methods-are-ultraefficient.html|title=Blue whale feeding methods are ultra-efficient|publisher=New Scientist|author=Michael Marshall|date=December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17118-migrating-blue-whales-rediscover-forgotten-waters.html|title=Migrating blue whales rediscover 'forgotten' waters|publisher=New Scientist|author=Andy Coghlan|date=May 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://jeb.biologists.org/content/214/1/131.full|title=Mechanics, hydrodynamics and energetics of blue whale lunge feeding: efficiency dependence on krill density|author=J. A. Goldbogen |author2=J. Calambokidis |author3=E. Oleson |author4=J. Potvin |author5=N. D. Pyenson |author6=G. Schorr |author7=R. E. Shadwick |last-author-amp=yes |work=Journal of Experimental Biology|year=2011|volume=214|pages=131–146|doi=10.1242/jeb.048157 |pmid=21147977}}</ref>
=== 發聲 ===
{{main|鯨歌}}
卡明斯和湯普森(1971年)表示,通過距離藍鯨1米參考壓力一毫帕的測量,估計藍鯨的聲音在源頭處可以達到155-188[[分貝]]<ref>{{cite journal | title = Underwater sounds from the blue whale ''Balaenoptera musculus'' | author = W.C. Cummings and P.O. Thompson | journal = Journal of the Acoustics Society of America | volume = 50 (4) | pages = 1193–1198 | year = 1971}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | author= W.J. Richardson, C.R. Greene, C.I. Malme and D.H. Thomson | title = Marine mammals and noise | publisher = Academic Press, Inc., San Diego, CA. | year = 1995 | id = ISBN 978-0-12-588441-9}}</ref>。所有的藍鯨種群發聲的[[基頻]]位在10-40[[赫茲]]之間,而人類能夠察覺的最低頻率則是20赫茲。藍鯨的聲音持續時間為10-30秒鐘。[[斯里蘭卡]]海岸外曾經記錄到藍鯨的重複發出4個音符的「歌」,每次大約持續兩分鐘,使人想起-{}-著名的[[鯨歌|駝背鯨之歌]]。研究者認為這種現象並沒在其他種群中看到,這可能是侏儒藍鯨(''B. m. brevicauda'')所特有的。科學家並不知道藍鯨為什麼要發聲,理查森等人(1995年)提出了下面6種可能的原因<ref>{{cite web | author = National Marine Fisheries Service | year = 2002 | title = Endangered Species Act - Section 7 Consultation Biological Opinion | url = http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/readingrm/ESAsec7/7pr_surtass-2020529.pdf | format = PDF }}</ref>:
# 保持個體間的距離
# 同類和個體識別
# 環境資訊傳遞(例如覓食,警告,求偶)
# 保持群體聯繫(例如雌性和雄性間的交流)
# 地貌特徵定位
# 食物定位


Because krill move, blue whales typically feed at depths of more than {{convert|100|m|ft}} during the day and only surface-feed at night. Dive times are typically 10&nbsp;minutes when feeding, though dives of up to 21&nbsp;minutes are possible. The whale feeds by lunging forward at groups of krill, taking the animals and a large quantity of water into its mouth. The water is then squeezed out through the baleen plates by pressure from the ventral pouch and tongue. Once the mouth is clear of water, the remaining krill, unable to pass through the plates, are swallowed. The blue whale also incidentally consumes small fish, crustaceans and squid caught up with krill.<ref>{{cite journal
== 數量和捕鲸 ==
|author= Nemoto T
=== 捕鯨時代 ===
|year=1957
[[File:Blue Whale population, Pengo.svg|thumbnail|left|300px|因為商業捕鯨業的發展,所以藍鯨的數量快速的下降]]
|title=Foods of baleen whales in the northern Pacific
藍鯨不易捕捉與宰殺。牠們的速度和力量意味著藍鯨很少成為早期捕鯨人的目標<ref>{{cite book |author= Scammon CM |title=The marine mammals of the northwestern coast of North America. Together with an account of the American whale-fishery |year= 1874 |publisher=John H. Carmany and Co. |location=San Francisco |pages=319|isbn= }}</ref>。{{cn|1864年,挪威人[[斯文德·福因]](Svend Foyn)使用[[魚叉]]搭配[[輪船]],設計來捕捉大型鯨魚。雖然最初很麻煩,成功的機率又低,不過福因進一步的改善了魚叉,於是很快的[[挪威]]北部[[芬馬克郡]]的幾個捕鯨站開始使用這種方法來捕鯨。因為當地漁夫之間發生爭論,芬馬克郡最後一處捕鯨站於是在1904年關閉。}}
|journal= Sci. Rep. Whales Res. Inst.
|volume=12
|pages=33–89}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
|vauthors=Nemoto T, Kawamura A |year=1977
|title= Characteristics of food habits and distribution of baleen whales with special reference to the abundance of North Pacific sei and Bryde's whales
|journal=Rep. Int. Whal. Commn
|volume= 1
|issue=Special Issue
|pages=80–87}}</ref>


=== Life history ===
很快,藍鯨就在[[冰島]](1883年)、[[法羅群島]](1894年)、[[紐芬蘭]](1898年)與[[斯匹次卑爾根島]](1903年)等地開始被捕殺。在1904年至1905年之間,美國喬治亞州南部捕獲第一隻藍鯨。到了1925年時,隨著工廠船船尾台的出現與蒸汽動力鯨捕船的使用,藍鯨與全部的鬚鯨被捕的數量在南極與次南極海域開始急劇增加。從1930年至1931年間,單單在南極海域就有29,400隻藍鯨被捕殺。到了[[第二次世界大戰]]結束時,藍鯨的數量已經減少相當多了。在1946年時,首次引進了国际鲸鱼交易配额限制,但是因为没有考虑到不同物种之間的区别,所以这些配额並沒有奏效。表示数量稀有的种類和数量较多的种類被人類进行相等程度的捕杀活動。到1960年代,[[国际捕鲸委员会]]开始禁止獵捕蓝鲸<ref>{{cite journal |last=Gambell |first=R |year= 1979 |title=The blue whale |journal= Biologist |volume= 26|pages=209-215}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Best |first=PB |year=1993 |month= |title=Increase rates in severely depleted stocks of baleen whales |journal=ICES J. mar. Sci. |volume=50 |pages=169-186}}</ref>,而蘇聯進行的非法捕鯨活動則在1970年代停止<ref>{{cite journal |last=Yablokov |first=AV |year=1994 |title=Validity of whaling data |journal=Nature |volume=367 |issue= |pages=108}}</ref>。此时已經有超過380,000隻蓝鲸被杀,其中在南極海域有330,000隻,33,000隻在南半球的其他地區,8,200隻在北太平洋地區,在北大西洋則有7,000隻。原本在南極最大的集團數量已經下降到只剩捕鯨活動前的0.15%<ref name=Ant/>。
[[File:BlueWhaleWithCalf.jpg|thumb|A blue whale calf with its mother]]
Mating starts in late autumn and continues to the end of winter.<ref name="Art">{{cite web
|url=http://www.articleworld.org/index.php/Blue_Whale
|title=Blue Whale – ArticleWorld
|accessdate=2 July 2007
}}</ref> Little is known about mating behaviour or breeding grounds. In the fall, males will follow females for prolonged periods of time. Occasionally, a second male will attempt to displace the first, and the whales will race each other at high speed, ranging from {{convert|17|mph}} to {{convert|20|mph}} in New Zealand. This often causes the racing whales to breach, which is rare in blue whales. This racing behavior may even escalate to physical violence between the males. Scientists have observed this behavior in multiple parts of the world, including the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada and the South Taranaki Bight in New Zealand.<ref name=Bortolotti /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2016/02/03/the-power-and-beauty-of-two-blue-whales-racing/|title=The Power and Beauty of Two Blue Whales Racing|first=Guest|last=Blogger|date=3 February 2016|publisher=}}</ref>


Females typically give birth once every two to three years at the start of the winter after a [[gestation period]] of 10 to 12&nbsp;months.<ref name="Art" /> The calf weighs about {{convert|2.5|tonne|short ton}} and is around {{convert|7|m|ft}} in length. Blue whale calves drink 380–570&nbsp;litres (100–150 U.S. gallons) of milk a day. Blue whale milk has an energy content of about 18,300 kJ/kg (4,370 kcal/kg).<ref>Olav T. Oftedal1 (1997). ''Lactation in Whales and Dolphins: Evidence of Divergence Between Baleen- and Toothed-Species.'' pg 224</ref> The calf is [[weaning|weaned]] after six months, by which time it has doubled in length. The first video of a calf thought to be nursing was filmed on 5 February 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/03/160302-blue-whale-mother-calf-nursing-video-pygmy-new-zealand/|title=Exclusive Video May Be First to Show Blue Whale Calf Nursing|author=Brian Clark Howard|date=2 March 2016|website=National Geographic News|access-date=5 March 2016}}</ref>
{{cn|捕鯨活動明顯導致藍鯨幾乎滅絕,而不是獵捕較少的數量以換取較長的獵捕期間,捕鯨者繼續減少藍鯨數量。現在看來,捕鯨業顧及由海洋生物學家制定的監測和限制,使得更多鯨魚可能有商業上的價值,儘管是一個較長的時間跨度。長壽的海洋哺乳類的[[族群動態]]與壽命較短的魚類相當的不同。因為較長生育期(超過1年)與比較少胎(1次1或2胎),鯨魚數量恢復所需的時間比起體型較小的動物更長。}}


Sexual maturity is typically reached at five to ten years of age. In the Northern Hemisphere, whaling records show that males averaged {{convert|20|–|21|m|ft|abbr=on}} and females {{convert|21|–|23|m|ft|abbr=on}} at sexual maturity,<ref name="Klinowska">{{cite book|last1=Klinowska|first1=Margaret|last2=Resources|first2=International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural|title=Dolphins, Porpoises and Whales of the World: The IUCN Red Data Book|url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=QynOriR1MxEC}}|year=1991|publisher=IUCN|isbn=978-2-88032-936-5}}</ref> while in the Southern Hemisphere it was {{convert|22.6|and|24|m|ft|abbr=on}}, respectively.<ref name="evans1987">Evans, Peter G. H. (1987). ''The Natural History of Whales and Dolphins''. Facts on File.</ref> In the Northern Hemisphere, as adults, males averaged {{convert|24|m|ft|abbr=on}} and females {{convert|25|m|ft|abbr=on}} with average calculated weights of 90.5 and 101.5 tonnes (100 and 112 tons), respectively.<ref name=lockyer /> Blue whales in the eastern North Pacific population were found to be on average {{convert|0.91|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} shorter,<ref>T.A. Branch "Estimating Historical Eastern North Pacific Blue Whale Catches Using Spatial Calling Patterns"http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0098974</ref> therefore with males averaging {{convert|23.3|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} and 80.5 tonnes (88.5 tons) and females {{convert|24|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} and 90.5 tonnes (100 tons).<ref name=lockyer /> Antarctic males averaged {{convert|25|m|ft|abbr=on}} and females {{convert|26.2|m|ft|abbr=on}},<ref name="books.google.com" /><ref name="Klinowska" /><ref name="evans1987" /> averaging 101.5 and 118 tonnes (112 and 130 tons).<ref name=lockyer /> Pygmy blue whales average {{convert|19.2|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} at sexual maturity, with males averaging 21 meters and females 22 meters (69 and 72 feet) when fully grown,<ref>T.A. Branch "Biological Parameters for Pygmy Blue Whales"</ref> averaging 76 and 90 tonnes (83.5 and 99 tons).<ref name=lockyer />
=== 目前的數量及分佈 ===
[[File:Blauwal01.jpg|thumb|300px|出現在[[亞速群島]]附近的藍鯨]]
[[File:Blue whale tail fluke.JPG|thumb|300px|一隻露出尾鰭的藍鯨,位於美國加州[[海峡群岛 (加利福尼亚州)|海峽群島]]附近海域]]


In the eastern North Pacific, photogrammetric studies have shown sexually mature (but not necessarily fully grown) blue whales today average {{convert|21.7|m|ft|abbr=on}}, and about 65.5 tonnes (72 tons)<ref name=lockyer /> with the largest found being about {{convert|24.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite journal| last1 = Gilpatrick | first1 = James W. | last2 = Perryman | first2 = Wayne L. | year = 2008 | title = Geographic variation in external morphology of North Pacific and Southern Hemisphere blue whales (''Balaenoptera musculus'')". | url = | journal = J. Cetacean Res. Manage | volume = 10 | issue = 1| pages = 9–21}}</ref> A {{convert|26.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} female washed ashore near [[Pescadero, California]] in 1979.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/press_releases/Blue_Whale_Skeleton.pdf|title=Blue whale skeleton at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab |accessdate=31 July 2016 |publisher=Seymour Marine Discovery Center}}</ref>
自從禁止捕鯨以來,研究無法確定目前藍鯨的數量正在增加還是沒有顯著的改變。最精確的估計顯示,南極地區的藍鯨數量在蘇聯非法捕鯨結束之後每年以7.3%的速度成長,雖然整體的數量仍然不足原本的1%<ref name=Ant/>。研究也顯示棲息在冰島與加拿大的藍鯨也正在增加,即使幅度未達顯著性差異。在2002年時,科學家估計全球的藍鯨介於5,000與12,000隻之間,雖然在許多區域的估計是高度的不確定性<ref name=pop/>。藍鯨目前仍然名列[[世界自然保護聯盟瀕危物種紅色名錄]]的瀕危物種中,就跟名單開始編製時一樣。目前已知最大的藍鯨群體是由大約2,000隻個體(北方藍鯨)所組成的,集中在[[阿拉斯加]]到[[哥斯大黎加]]之間,不過最常見的海域是夏季時的[[加利福尼亞州]]。{{cn|有時候這些藍鯨會出現在西北太平洋海域,曾有藍鯨出現在[[堪察加半島]]和[[日本]]北端之間海域的罕見紀錄。}}


The weight of individual blue whales varies significantly according to fat condition. Antarctic blue whales gain 50% of their lean body weight in the summer feeding season, i.e. a blue whale entering the Antarctic weighing 100 tons would leave weighing 150 tons. Pregnant females probably gain 60–65%. The fattened weight is 120% the average weight and the lean weight is 80%.<ref name="books.google.com" />
{{cn|在北大西洋已經有兩個藍鯨集團(''B. m. musculus'')被確認。第一個位於[[格陵蘭]]、[[紐芬蘭]]、[[新斯科舍]]和[[聖勞倫斯灣]]外海,估計數量有500隻左右。第二個集團更靠近東邊,牠們春季出現在[[亞述爾群島]],而7、8月份時則出現在[[冰島]]附近海域。根據推測這些鯨群沿著[[大西洋中脊]]在這兩個火山島之間來活動。除了冰島,藍鯨還會出現在更北方的[[斯瓦爾巴群島]]和[[揚馬延島]],雖然相當少見。不過科學家仍然不清楚這些藍鯨在哪裡過冬。整個北大西洋的族群數量估計在600-1500隻之間。}}


Scientists estimate that blue whales can live for at least 80&nbsp;years,<ref name="SearsCal02" /><ref name="Art" /><ref name="npca">{{cite web|url=http://www.npca.org/protecting-our-parks/wildlife_facts/bluewhale.html |title=Blue Whale |publisher=National Parks Conservation Association |accessdate=21 June 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329034641/http://www.npca.org/protecting-our-parks/wildlife_facts/bluewhale.html |archivedate=29 March 2012 }}</ref> but since individual records do not date back into the whaling era, this will not be known with certainty for many years. The longest recorded study of a single individual is 34&nbsp;years, in the eastern North Pacific.<ref name="Sears98">(Sears 1998)</ref>
在南半球目前已知有2個確切的亞種:南藍鯨(''B. m. intermedia'')與在印度洋發現、所知不多的侏儒藍鯨(''B. m. brevicauda'')。最近許多調查的結果顯示生活在南冰洋的亞種的數量介於1100<ref>{{cite journal | title = Estimates of abundance south of 60°S for cetacean species
sighted frequently on the 1978/79 to 1997/98 IWC/IDCR-SOWER sighting surveys | author = T.A. Branch, D.S. Butterworth | journal = Journal of Cetacean Research and Management | volume = 3 | pages = 251–270 | year = 2001}}</ref>至1700隻<ref name=Ant/>之間。而侏儒藍鯨的研究則正在進行中。1996年一項調查顯示僅在[[馬達加斯加]]南方一個小範圍海域的之中,就棲息著424隻藍鯨<ref>{{cite journal | title = The abundance of blue whales on the Madagascar Plateau, December 1996| author = P.B. Best et al.| journal = Journal of Cetacean Research and Management | volume = 5 | pages = 253–260 | year = 2003}}</ref>。這項調查似乎表示是藍鯨在整個印度洋的數量是數以千計的。如果這是事實,全球的藍鯨數量將會比估計的更高<ref name=BBC_pop/>。


The whales' only natural predator is the [[orca]].<ref>{{cite journal
藍鯨第4個亞種'' B. m. indica''是由[[艾德華·布萊]](Edward Blyth)於1859年時在北印度洋所確認的,但是由於特徵辨識上的困難,導致它被當成''B. m. musculus''的一個異名。目前這個亞種被認為與侏儒藍鯨是同一個種。根據蘇聯捕鯨者的紀錄顯示雌鯨比成''B. m. musculus''更接近侏儒藍鯨,雖然''B. m. indica''與侏儒藍鯨的分布範圍是分開的,而且繁殖期間相差幾乎有6個月之久<ref>{{cite web|title=Past and present distribution, densities and movements of blue whales in the Southern Hemisphere and adjacent waters|url=http://www.iwcoffice.org/_documents/sci_com/SC59docs/SC-59-ForInformation26.pdf|author=T. A. Branch, K. M. Stafford ''et al.''|publisher=International Whaling Commission|date=2007|accessdate=2007-07-09}}</ref>。
| title = Sightings and movements of blue whales off central California from 1986–88 from photo-identification of individuals
| author = J. Calambokidis
| author2 = G. H. Steiger
| author3 = J. C. Cubbage
| author4 = K. C. Balcomb
| author5 = C. Ewald
| author6 = S. Kruse
| author7 = R. Wells
| author8 = R. Sears
| last-author-amp = yes
| journal = Rep. Whal. Comm.
| volume = 12
| pages = 343–348
| year = 1990}}</ref> Studies report that as many as 25% of mature blue whales have scars resulting from orca attacks.<ref name="SearsCal02" /> The mortality rate of such attacks is unknown.


=== Strandings ===
{{fact|這些亞種的遷移模式仍然是未知的。舉例來說:侏儒藍鯨在北印度洋(阿曼、馬爾地夫與斯里蘭卡)被觀測到,牠們在這裡組成獨特的棲息集團。除此之外,在智利與秘魯外海出現的藍鯨也可能是一個明顯的群體。一些棲息在南極海域的藍鯨會在冬季接近南大西洋的東部,有時牠們發出的叫聲可以在秘魯、西澳大利亞與北印度洋觀測到。因為最近在[[奇洛埃島]](Chiloé)海域發現藍鯨群體覓食的跡象,所以[[智利]]的[[鯨魚保護中心]]在[[智利海軍]]的支持下,正在對藍鯨進行廣泛的研究和保護。奇洛埃島一個稱為「Golfo del Corcovado」的地區在2007年夏季確實有時候可以觀察到有326隻鯨魚出現在沿海。}}
Blue whale strandings are extremely uncommon, and, because of the species' social structure, mass strandings are unheard of.<ref>William Perrin and Joseph Geraci. "Stranding" pp 1192–1197 in ''Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals'' (Perrin, Wursig and Thewissen eds)</ref> When strandings do occur, they can become the focus of public interest. In 1920, a blue whale washed up near [[Bragar]] on the [[Isle of Lewis]] in the [[Outer Hebrides]] of [[Scotland]]. It had been shot by whalers, but the harpoon had failed to explode. As with other mammals, the fundamental instinct of the whale was to try to carry on breathing at all costs, even though this meant beaching to prevent itself from drowning. Two of the whale's bones were erected just off a main road on Lewis and remain a tourist attraction.<ref>{{cite web
| title=The Whale Bone Arch
| work=Places to Visit around the Isle of Lewis
| url=http://www.isle-of-lewis.com/attractions/historical-attractions/the-whale-bone-arch/
| accessdate=18 May 2005
| deadurl=yes
| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105025156/http://www.isle-of-lewis.com/attractions/historical-attractions/the-whale-bone-arch/
| archivedate=5 November 2014
| df=dmy-all
}}</ref>


In June 2015, a female blue whale estimated at {{convert|12.2|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} and 20 tonnes (22 tons) was stranded on a beach in Maharashtra, India, the first live stranding in the region. Despite efforts by the Albaug forest department and local fishermen, the whale died 10 hours after being stranded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/blue-whale-dies-10-hours-after-being-washed-ashore-at-alibaug-beach-first-case-of-live-stranding-in-state/|title=Blue whale dies after being stranded on land for ten long hours|date=26 June 2015|publisher=}}</ref> In August 2009, a wounded blue whale was stranded in a bay in Steingrímsfjördur, Iceland. The first rescue attempt failed, as the whale (thought to be over 20 meters long) towed the >20 ton boat back to shore at speeds of up to {{convert|7|mph}}. The whale was towed to sea after 7 hours by a stronger boat. It is unknown whether it survived.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://icelandreview.com/news/2009/08/04/beached-blue-whale-rescued-icelands-west-fjords|title=Beached Blue Whale Rescued in Iceland’s West Fjords|first=Iceland|last=Review|date=4 August 2009|publisher=}}</ref> In December 2015, a live blue whale thought to be over {{convert|20|m|ft|abbr=off}} long was rescued from a beach in Chile.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/wildlife/12074137/Huge-beached-blue-whale-saved-by-fishermen-off-Chile-coast.html|title=Huge beached blue whale saved by fishermen off Chile coast|publisher=}}</ref> Another stranded blue whale, thought to be about {{convert|12.2|m|ft|abbr=off}} long, was rescued in India in February 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/in-pics-40-feet-blue-whale-rescued-at-ratnagiri/story-rMv7cY1Z6kt0gaxs2DqfIK.html|title=In pics: 40-feet blue whale rescued at Ratnagiri|date=4 February 2016|publisher=}}</ref> Boats were used in all successful cases.
藍鯨的數量能夠更精確的估計受到[[杜克大學]]海洋[[動物學家]]很大的幫助,因為他們保存了龐大數量空間生態分析-海洋生物地理信息系統(OBIS-SEAMAP),這是一個存大約130個來源收集目擊海洋哺乳類動物資料的比對系統<ref>The data for the Blue Whale, along with a species profile, may be found here [http://seamap.env.duke.edu/species/tsn/180528]</ref>。


== 其他威脅 ==
=== Vocalizations ===
{{See also|Whale sound}}
與船隻發生碰撞或受困、糾纏在捕漁設備中時,藍鯨可能會受傷;海里越来越多的噪音使他们难以互相沟通,甚至可能丧命<ref name="recplan98"/>。人類對於藍鯨的潛在威脅包括製造會在藍鯨體內累積的化學物品[[多氯聯二苯]](PCB)。
{{listen
| header = <div style="margin-left:-65px;">'''Multimedia relating to the blue whale'''<div class="small">''Note that the whale calls have been sped up 10x from their original speed.''</div></div>
| filename = Blue whale atlantic1.ogg
| title = A blue whale song
| description = Recorded in the Atlantic (1)
| format = [[Ogg]]
| filename2 = Blue whale atlantic2.ogg
| title2 = A blue whale song
| description2 = Recorded in the Atlantic (2)
| format2 = [[Ogg]]
| filename3 = Blue whale atlantic3.ogg
| title3 = A blue whale song
| description3 = Recorded in the Atlantic (3)
| format3 = [[Ogg]]
| filename4 = Blue Whale NE Pacific.ogg
| title4 = A blue whale song
| description4 = Recorded in North Eastern Pacific
| format4 = [[Ogg]]
| filename5 = Blue Whale South Pacific.ogg
| title5 = A blue whale song
| description5 = Recorded in the South Pacific
| format5 = [[Ogg]]
| filename6 = Blue Whale West Pacific.ogg
| title6 = A blue whale song
| description6 = Recorded in the West Pacific
| format6 = [[Ogg]]
}}
Estimates made by Cummings and Thompson (1971) suggest the source level of sounds made by blue whales are between 155 and 188 [[decibel]]s when measured relative to a reference pressure of one [[micropascal]] at one metre.<ref>{{cite journal
| title = Underwater sounds from the blue whale ''Balaenoptera musculus''
|author1=W.C. Cummings |author2=P.O. Thompson
|lastauthoramp=yes | journal = Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
| volume = 50 | issue = 4
| pages = 1193–1198
| year = 1971
| doi = 10.1121/1.1912752|bibcode = 1971ASAJ...50.1193C }}</ref><ref name="RichardsonThomson1998">{{cite book|first1=W. John |last1=Richardson|first2=Denis H.|last2= Thomson|title=Marine Mammals and Noise|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=OIWmaG906jgC}}|date=June 1998|publisher=Gulf Professional Publishing|isbn=978-0-12-588441-9}}</ref> All blue whale groups make calls at a [[fundamental frequency]] between 10 and 40 [[Hertz|Hz]]; the lowest frequency sound a human can typically perceive is 20&nbsp;Hz. Blue whale calls last between ten and thirty seconds. Blue whales off the coast of [[Sri Lanka]] have been repeatedly recorded making "songs" of four notes, lasting about two minutes each, reminiscent of the well-known humpback whale songs. As this phenomenon has not been seen in any other populations, researchers believe it may be unique to the ''B. m. brevicauda'' (pygmy) subspecies. The loudest sustained noise from a blue whale was at 188&nbsp;dB.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Cummings|first=William C.|last2=Thompson|first2=Paul O.|date=1971-10-01|title=Underwater Sounds from the Blue Whale, Balaenoptera musculus|url=http://scitation.aip.org/content/asa/journal/jasa/50/4B/10.1121/1.1912752|journal=The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America|volume=50|issue=4B|pages=1193–1198|doi=10.1121/1.1912752|issn=0001-4966|bibcode=1971ASAJ...50.1193C}}</ref>


The purpose of vocalization is unknown. Richardson ''et al.'' (1995) discuss six possible reasons:<ref>{{cite web|author=National Marine Fisheries Service |year=2002 |title=Endangered Species Act – Section 7 Consultation Biological Opinion |url=http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/readingrm/ESAsec7/7pr_surtass-2020529.pdf |format=PDF |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050906050746/http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/readingrm/ESAsec7/7pr_surtass-2020529.pdf |archivedate=6 September 2005 }}</ref>
隨著[[全球暖化]]導致[[冰川]]與[[永久凍土層]]快速融化,並導致大量的淡水注入海中。有人擔心一旦流入海中的淡水量超過臨界點,將會導致[[溫鹽環流]]瓦解。考量到藍鯨根據海水溫度的遷移模式,環流瓦解將導致溫暖與寒冷的海水環繞全球,這可能會對藍鯨的遷徙造成影響<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bto.org/research/reports/researchrpt_complete/RR414_Climate%20change_&_migratory_species.pdf |author=Robert A. Robinson, Jennifer A. Learmonth, Anthony M. Hutson, Colin D. Macleod, Tim H. Sparks, David I. Leech, Graham J. Pierce, Mark M. Rehfisch and Humphrey Q.P. Crick |title=Climate Change and Migratory Species |publisher=BTO |date=August 2005 |accessdate=2007-07-09 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070508065451/http://www.bto.org/research/reports/researchrpt_complete/RR414_Climate%20change_%26_migratory_species.pdf |archivedate=2007-05-08 }}</ref>。藍鯨夏季時處在寒冷、高緯度的海域,因為這裡擁有豐富的食物;而冬季時則位於溫暖、低緯度的海域,在這裡牠們可以交配與生產<ref>{{cite journal | author = Hucke-Gaete, Rodrigo, Layla P. Osman, Carlos A. Moreno, Ken P. Findlay, and Don K. Ljungblad | title = Discovery of a Blue Whale Feeding and Nursing Ground in Southern Chile | journal = The Royal Society | year = 2003 | pages = s170-s173 | url = http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov.oca.ucsc.edu/picrender.fcgi?artid=1810017&blobtype=pdf}}</ref>。


# Maintenance of inter-individual distance
海洋溫度的改變也會影響藍鯨的食物來源,暖化趨勢也會減少鹽分的分布,這將會對的分布與密度造成重大的影響<ref>{{cite journal | author = Moline, Mark A., Herve Claustre, Thomas K. Frazer, Oscar Schofield, and Maria Vernet | title = Alteration of the Food Web Along the Antarctic Peninsula in Response to a Regional Warming Trend | journal = Global Change Biology | volume = 10 | year = 2004 | pages = 1973-1980 | url = http://www.blackwell-synergy.com.oca.ucsc.edu/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2004.00825.x}}</ref>。
# Species and individual recognition
# Contextual information transmission (for example feeding, alarm, courtship)
# Maintenance of social organization (for example contact calls between females and males)
# Location of topographic features
# Location of prey resources


== 流行文化 ==
== Population and whaling ==
[[File:BlueWhaleSkeleton.jpg|thumb|200px|位於[[加利福尼亞大學聖塔克魯茲分校]]海洋實驗室外的藍鯨骨架。]]


=== Hunting era ===
[[倫敦]]的[[倫敦自然历史博物館|自然史博物館]]分別保存了一具著名的藍鯨骨架以及一具与蓝鲸真實大小相同的模型,2具都是全球首見的,不過加利福尼亞大學聖克魯茲分校後來也仿照這種方法展出。紐約的[[美國自然史博物館]]的海洋生物廳中也展示了一具藍鯨真實大小的模型。賞鯨船隻可能會在[[缅因湾]]遇見活生生的藍鯨<ref>{{cite journal |author= Wenzel FW, Mattila DK, Clapham PJ|year=1988 |title=''Balaenoptera musculus'' in the Gulf of Maine |journal= Mar. Mammal Sci.|volume=4 |pages= 172-175}}</ref>,主要的觀賞地點則沿著[[聖羅倫斯灣]]與[[聖羅倫斯河]]河口<ref name="recplan98">{{Citation | author = Reeves RR, Clapham PJ, Brownell RL, Silber GK| title =Recovery plan for the blue whale ''(Balaenoptera musculus)'' | year = 1998 | pages = 42 | place = Silver Spring, MD | publisher = National Marine Fisheries Service| accessdate=2007-06-20| url=http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/recovery/whale_blue.pdf}}</ref>。{{fact|藍鯨曾在1967年[[電影]]《[[怪醫杜立德]]》(''Doctor Dolittle'')中出現,並作為巨大體積與力量的象徵,因為在劇中牠可以移動一個島}}。
{{Main|History of whaling}}
[[File:Blue Whale Population v1.svg|thumb|Blue whale populations have declined dramatically due to commercial whaling.]]
[[File:Blue Whale skeleton, Canadian Museum of Nature.jpg|thumb|left|Blue whale skeleton at the [[Canadian Museum of Nature]] in [[Ottawa]], Ontario]]


Blue whales are not easy to catch or kill. Their speed and power meant that they were rarely pursued by early whalers, who instead targeted [[Sperm whale|sperm]] and [[right whale]]s.<ref name="Scammon1874">{{cite book|first=Charles Melville |last=Scammon|title=The Marine Mammals of the Northwestern Coast of North America: Together with an Account of the American Whale-fishery|url={{google books |plainurl=y|id=GJ1tlnhkTWcC|page=319}}|year=1874|publisher=Heyday|isbn=978-1-59714-061-4|page=319}}</ref> In 1864, the Norwegian [[Svend Foyn]] equipped a [[steamboat]] with [[harpoon]]s specifically designed for catching large whales.<ref name="factsheet" /> The harpoon gun was initially cumbersome and had a low success rate, but Foyn perfected it, and soon several whaling stations were established on the coast of [[Finnmark]] in northern Norway. Because of disputes with the local fishermen, the last whaling station in Finnmark was closed down in 1904.
== 中国附近的重要出沒紀錄及主要出没地点 ==
*2017年,在[[涠洲岛]]。<ref>[http://www.beihai365.com/read.php?tid=11975720 涠洲岛海域又出现鲸鱼,这次是成群的!]. Retrieved on August 30, 2017 </ref>


Soon, blue whales were being hunted off Iceland (1883), the Faroe Islands (1894), [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]] (1898), and [[Spitsbergen]] (1903). In 1904–05 the first blue whales were taken off [[South Georgia Island|South Georgia]]. By 1925, with the advent of the stern slipway in factory ships and the use of steam-driven whale catchers, the catch of blue whales, and baleen whales as a whole, in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic began to increase dramatically. In the 1930–31 season, these ships caught 29,400 blue whales in the Antarctic alone.<ref>{{cite book | url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=NzJmAwAAQBAJ|page=23}} | title=Whaling Diplomacy: Defining Issues in International Environmental Law | publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. | author=Gillespie, Alexander | year=2005 | page=23}}</ref> By the end of [[World War II]], populations had been significantly depleted, and, in 1946, the first quotas restricting international trade in whales were introduced, but they were ineffective because of the lack of differentiation between species. Rare species could be hunted on an equal footing with those found in relative abundance.
== 參考文獻 ==
=== 引用 ===
{{Reflist|2}}


[[Arthur C. Clarke]], in his 1962 book ''Profiles of the Future'', was the first prominent [[intellectual]] to call attention to the plight of the blue whale. He mentioned its large brain and said, "we do not know the true nature of the entity we are destroying."<ref>[[Arthur C. Clarke|Clarke, Arthur C.]] ''Profiles of the Future; an Inquiry into the Limits of the Possible''. New York: Harper & Row, 1962</ref>
=== 来源 ===
{{refbegin}}
;书籍
* Randall R. Reeves, Brent S. Stewart, Phillip J. Clapham and James A. Powell (2002). ''National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World''. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. ISBN 978-0-375-41141-0. pp. 89–93.
* J. Calambokidis and G. Steiger (1998). ''Blue Whales''. Voyageur Press. ISBN 978-0-89658-338-2.


All of the historical coastal Asian groups were driven to near-extinction in short order by Japanese industrial hunts.<ref name=JMOE1998>{{cite book|publisher=[[:ja:自然環境局|Nature Conservation Bureau]] of [[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)]]|year=1998|title=海域自然環境保全基礎調査 – 海棲動物調査報告書 |chapter=シャチ ''Orcinus orca'' (Limaeus,1758)マイルカ科|url=http://www.biodic.go.jp/reports2/5th/kaisei_h10/5_kaisei_h10.pdf|page=54|series=自然環境保全基礎調査|format=PDF|accessdate=16 January 2015}}</ref> Those groups that once migrated along western Japan to the [[East China Sea]] were likely wiped out much earlier, as the last catches on [[Amami Oshima]] were between the 1910s and the 1930s,<ref>{{cite web|author=Miyazaki N.|author2=Nakayama K.|year=1989|title=Records of Cetaceans in the Waters of the Amami Island|url=http://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/110004313130|journal=国立科学博物館専報 |volume=22 |pages=235–249 |format=PDF|others=[[CiNii]]|publisher=[[National Museum of Nature and Science]], Museum of History and Folklore in Kasari|accessdate=16 January 2015}}</ref> and the last known stranding records on the Japanese archipelago, excluding the [[Ryukyu Islands]], were over a half-century ago. Commercial catches were continued until 1965 and whaling stations targeting blues were mainly placed along the [[Hokkaido]] and [[Sanriku]] coasts.<ref name=JMOE1998 />
;网页
* {{cite web|title=Blue Whale |work=''American Cetacean Society'' |url=http://www.acsonline.org/factpack/bluewhl.htm |accessdate=2005-01-07 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711025158/http://www.acsonline.org/factpack/bluewhl.htm |archivedate=2007-07-11 }}
* {{cite web |title = Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus |work = MarineBio.org |url = http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=41 |accessdate = 2006-04-21}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061002223017/http://ecos.fws.gov/species_profile/servlet/gov.doi.species_profile.servlets.SpeciesProfile?spcode=A02M U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Species Profile]
{{refend}}


Blue whale hunting was banned in 1966 by the [[International Whaling Commission]],<ref>{{cite journal
== 外部連結 ==
|last=Gambell
{{Wikispecies|Balaenoptera musculus}}
|first=R
|year= 1979
|title=The blue whale
|journal= Biologist
|volume= 26
|pages=209–215}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
|last=Best
|first=PB
|year=1993
|title=Increase rates in severely depleted stocks of baleen whales
|journal=ICES Journal of Marine Science
|volume=50
|pages=169–186
|doi=10.1006/jmsc.1993.1018
|issue=2}}</ref> and illegal whaling by the Soviet Union finally halted in the 1970s,<ref>{{cite journal
|last=Yablokov
|first=AV
|year=1994
|title=Validity of whaling data
|journal=Nature
|volume=367
|issue=6459
|page=108
|doi=10.1038/367108a0|bibcode = 1994Natur.367..108Y }}</ref> by which time 330,000 blue whales had been caught in the Antarctic, 33,000 in the rest of the Southern Hemisphere, 8,200 in the North Pacific, and 7,000 in the North Atlantic. The largest original population, in the Antarctic, had been reduced to a mere 360 individuals, about 0.15% of their initial numbers.<ref name=Ant />

=== Population and distribution today ===
Since the introduction of the whaling ban, studies have examined whether the [[conservation reliant species|conservation reliant]] global blue whale population is increasing or remaining stable. In the Antarctic, best estimates show an increase of 7.3% per year since the end of illegal Soviet whaling, but numbers remain at under 1% of their original levels.<ref name=Ant /> Recovery varies regionally, and the Eastern North Pacific blue whale population (historically a relatively small proportion of the global total) has rebounded to about 2,200 individuals, an estimated 97% of its pre-hunting population.<ref>Hines, Sandra (5 September 2014) "[http://www.washington.edu/news/2014/09/05/california-blue-whales-rebound-from-whaling-first-of-their-kin-to-do-so/ California blue whales rebound from whaling; first of their kin to do so]", University of Washington</ref>

The total world population was estimated to be between 5,000 and 12,000 in 2002; there are high levels of uncertainty in available estimates for many areas.<ref name=pop /> A more recent estimate by the IUCN puts the global population at 10,000–25,000.<ref name="iucnredlist.org" />

The [[IUCN Red List]] counts the blue whale as "endangered", as it has since the list's inception. In the United States, the [[National Marine Fisheries Service]] lists them as endangered under the [[Endangered Species Act]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/laws/esa/
|title=Endangered Species Act
}}</ref> The largest known concentration, consisting of about 2,800 individuals, is the northeast Pacific population of the northern blue whale (''B. m. musculus'') subspecies that ranges from [[Alaska]] to [[Costa Rica]], but is most commonly seen from California in summer.<ref>Blue Whale (''Balaenoptera musculus''): Eastern North Pacific Stock (''NOAA Stock Reports'', 2009), p. 178.</ref> Infrequently, this population visits the northwest Pacific between [[Kamchatka Peninsula|Kamchatka]] and the northern tip of Japan.

==== North Atlantic ====
[[File:Blauwal01.jpg|thumb|A blue whale set against the backdrop of the [[Azores]]]]
In the North Atlantic, two stocks of ''B. m. musculus'' are recognised. The first is found off [[Greenland]], [[Newfoundland and Labrador|Newfoundland]], Nova Scotia and the [[Gulf of Saint Lawrence]]. This group is estimated to total about 500. The second, more easterly group is spotted from the [[Azores]] in spring to Iceland in July and August; it is presumed the whales follow the [[Mid-Atlantic Ridge]] between the two volcanic islands. Beyond Iceland, blue whales have been spotted as far north as [[Spitsbergen]] and [[Jan Mayen]], though such sightings are rare. Scientists do not know where these whales spend their winters. The total North Atlantic population is estimated to be between 600 and 1,500. Off Ireland, the first confirmed sightings were made in 2008,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/ireland-blue-whales723.html#cr|title=Wildlife Extra News – Blue whales sighted off Irish coast|author=Powell Ettinger|publisher=}}</ref> since then [[Porcupine Seabight]] has been regarded as a prominent habitat for the species along with fin whales. One was sighted along [[Galicia, Spain]], in 2017.<ref>Rey M. 2017. [http://www.gciencia.com/medioambiental/balea-azul-avistamento/ Confirman o avistamento “histórico” da balea azul na ría de Muros e Noia]. GCiencia. Retrieved on September 14, 2017</ref>

Occasionally blue whales get lost in the [[Baltic Sea]]. The remnants of two blue whales have been identified in Finland.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.tiedetuubi.fi/luonto/suomalaisen-sinivalaan-tarina|title=Suomalaisen sinivalaan tarina|last=Korteniemi|first=Jarmo|date=March 13, 2018|website=www.tiedetuubi.fi|language=fi|access-date=2018-03-14}}</ref> One 19-meter skeleton was found on the bottom of the [[Gulf of Finland]] during the construction of [[Nord Stream]] pipeline.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tiede.fi/artikkeli/jutut/artikkelit/jattilaisen_jaljilla|title=Jättiläisen jäljillä|date=2011-02-08|work=Tiede|access-date=2018-03-14|language=fi}}</ref> The vertebrae of a second individual were recovered from a field near [[Pori]] on the coast of the [[Bothnian Sea]] in 1942 and identified in the [[University of Copenhagen Zoological Museum|Copenhagen Zoological Museum]] by [[Magnus Degerbøl]].<ref name=":0" /> Radiocarbon dating revealed the former had wondered into the [[Littorina Sea]] over 7000 years ago and perished, while the latter bones were shown to be 800–900 years old.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Jääkauden jälkeläiset - Suomen lintujen ja nisäkkäiden varhainen historia|last=Ukkonen|first=Pirkko|last2=Mannermaa|first2=Kristiina|publisher=Museovirasto|year=2017|isbn=978-951-616-281-5|location=Helsinki, Finland|pages=230}}</ref>

==== North Pacific ====
[[File:Blue whale tail fluke.JPG|thumb|A blue whale's [[Cetacea|tail fluke]] with the [[Santa Barbara Channel Islands]] in the background]]
Five or more subpopulations have been suggested, and several of these mainly in the western North Pacific have been considered either functionally or virtually extinct.<ref name="Thomas et al 2015">{{cite journal|last1=Thomas|first1=Peter|last2=Reeves|first2=Randall R|last3=Brownell Jr|first3=Robert L|title=Status of the world's baleen whales|journal=Marine Mammal Science|date=2015|doi=10.1111/mms.12281|url=http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12281/abstract|accessdate=16 December 2015}}</ref> Of the populations that once existed off coastal Japan, the last recorded confirmed stranding was in the 1910s.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Yamada T.|author2=Watanabe Y.|title=Marine Mammals Stranding DataBase – Blue Whale|url=https://www.kahaku.go.jp/english/research/db/zoology/marmam/drift/index.php?p=9&s=eng|publisher=[[National Museum of Nature and Science]]|accessdate=23 September 2017}}</ref> Today, call types suggest only two populations in the North Pacific.<ref name=Bortolotti /> Some scientists regard that historical populations off Japan were driven to extinction by whaling activities, mostly from the Kumanonada Sea off [[Wakayama]], in the [[:ja:土佐湾|Gulf of Tosa]], and in the [[Sea of Hyūga]]. Nowadays, possible vagrants from either eastern or offshore populations are observed on very rare occasions off [[Kushiro]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Kurosawa K.|year=2009|title=釧路沖のシロナガスクジラ|url=http://blog.goo.ne.jp/s38050018k/e/6ce4cb0af909e237f42c958dab8b8b55|accessdate=6 January 2015}}</ref> There were also small, but constant catch records around the [[Korean Peninsula]] and in the coastal waters of the [[Sea of Japan]]; this species is normally considered not to frequent into [[marginal sea]]s, such as the [[Sea of Okhotsk]], on usual migrations. Whales were known to migrate further north to eastern [[Kamchatka]], the [[Gulf of Anadyr]], off [[Abashiri]] or the southern Sea of Okhotsk,<ref>Uni Y.,2006 [http://www.cho.co.jp/natural-h/download/archive/shiretoko/2703s_UNI.pdf Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises off Shiretoko]. Bulletin of the
Shiretoko Museum 27: pp.37–46. Retrieved on 16 December 2015</ref> and the [[Commander Islands]]. Only three sightings were made between 1994 and 2004 in Russia<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Chernyagina A.A.|author2=Burdin A.M.|author3=Artyuhin Y.B.|author4=Danilin D.D.|author5=Lobkova L.E.|author6=Tokranov A.M. |author7=Artyuhin Y.B. |author8=Gerasimov N. |author9=Lobkov E.G. |author10=Zagrebelnyi S.V. |author11=Nicanor A.P. |author12=Fil V.I. |author13=Shulezhko T.S. |author14=Chernyagina O.A. |author15=Gimelbrant D.E. |author16=Kirichenko V.E. |author17=Selivanov O.|year=2013|title=Справочник-определитель редких и охраняемых видов живот- ных и растений Камчатского края|url=http://www.knigakamchatka.ru/pdf/spravochnik.pdf|publisher=Kamchatka Branch FGBUN Pacific Institute of Geography, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky: Kamchatpress|format=PDF|isbn=978-5-9610-0216-4 |accessdate=9 June 2014}}</ref> with one sighted off east coast of the peninsula in 2009,<ref name=zapoved /> and the last known occurrence in the eastern Sea of Okhotsk was in 1948.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265030089_Review_of_Cetacean_Distribution_and_Occurrence_off_the_Western_Coast_of_Kamchatka_eastern_Okhotsk_Sea|title=Review of Cetacean Distribution and Occurrence off the Western Coast of Kamchatka, eastern Okhotsk Sea|work=ResearchGate}}</ref> In addition, whales have not been confirmed off the [[Commander Islands]] for over past 80 years.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Mamaev E.|year=2012|title=The fauna of marine mammals of Commander Islands: investigations and modern status|url=http://www.2mn.org/downloads/bookshelf/mmh7_vol2.pdf|journal=Marine Mammals of the Holarctic Collection of Scientific Papers Volume 2 – After the Seventh International Conference Suzdal, Russia, September 24–28, 2012|pages=50–54|publisher=State Nature Biosphere Reserve ―Komandorskiy, The Marine Mammal Council|format=PDF|accessdate=20 January 2015}}</ref> In 2017, 13 or more whales were observed off Kamchatka and Commander Islands.<ref>The Heritage Expedition. 2017. [http://www.heritage-expeditions.com/captains-blog/whalewatchers-delight-kamchatka/ Whalewatcher's delight in Kamchatka]. Retrieved on August 21, 2017</ref><ref>The Heritage Expedition. 2017. [https://www.heritage-expeditions.com/captains-blog/incredible-whale-watching-again/ Incredible Whale watching again]. Retrieved on August 21, 2017</ref><ref name=zapoved>2017. [http://news.zapoved.ru/2017/07/05/v-akvatorii-kamchatki-vstrecheny-sinie-kity/ В акватории Камчатки встречены синие киты!]. Retrieved on August 21, 2017</ref> Historically, wintering grounds existed off the [[Hawaiian Archipelago]], the [[Northern Mariana Islands]], the [[Bonin Islands]] and [[Ryukyu Islands]], the [[Philippines]], [[Taiwan]], the [[Zhoushan Archipelago]], and the [[South China Sea]]<ref>{{cite web|publisher=The Sanya Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering at The Chinese Academy Of Sciences|title=Identification Guide for Marine Mammals In the South China Sea|url=http://124.16.218.4/index.php|accessdate=19 January 2015}}</ref> such as in [[Daya Bay]], off the [[Leizhou Peninsula]], and off [[Hainan Island]], and further south to the [[Paracel Islands]].<ref name=Parcel08>{{cite journal|author1=黄晖|author2=董志军|author3=练健生|title=论西沙群岛珊瑚礁生态系统自然保护区的建立|url=http://159.226.115.21/rddl/CN/article/downloadArticleFile.do?attachType=PDF&id=357.|journal=热 带 地 理 – TROPICAL GEOGRAPHY|volume=28|issue=6|date=November 2008|accessdate=7 January 2015|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235548/http://159.226.115.21/rddl/CN/article/downloadArticleFile.do?attachType=PDF&id=357.|archivedate=3 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A stranding was recorded in [[Wanning]] in 2005.<ref name=SanyaStrandings>{{cite web|publisher=The Sanya Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering at The Chinese Academy Of Sciences |title=鲸豚搁浅事件列表 |url=http://124.16.218.4/list.php?page=2 |accessdate=19 January 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119085634/http://124.16.218.4/list.php?page=2 |archivedate=19 January 2015 }}</ref> One whale was sighted off [[Weizhou Island]] in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beihai365.com/read.php?tid=11980675|title=超近距离接触!涠洲岛有游客近距离看到鲸鱼出水,伸手就能摸到-北海时事开讲-北海365网(beihai365.com)|website=www.beihai365.com}}</ref> For further status in Chinese and Korean waters, see ''[[Wildlife of China]]''.

As of 2014, the eastern North Pacific blue whale population had rebounded to an estimated 2,200 individuals, which is thought to be about 97% of its pre-whaling numbers.<ref name="iflscience.com" />

==== Southern Hemisphere and vicinity to Northern Indian Ocean ====
[[File:Antarctic blue whale.jpg|thumb|Blue whale in Antarctica]]
In the Southern Hemisphere, there appear to be two distinct subspecies, ''B. m. intermedia'', the Antarctic blue whale, and the little-studied pygmy blue whale, ''B. m. brevicauda'', found in Indian Ocean waters. The most recent surveys (midpoint 1998) provided an estimate of 2,280 blue whales in the Antarctic<ref>{{cite journal
|last=Branch |first=T.A.
|title=Abundance of Antarctic blue whales south of 60°S from three complete circumpolar sets of surveys
|journal=Journal of Cetacean Research and Management |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=87–96
|year=2007}}</ref> (of which fewer than 1% are likely to be pygmy blue whales).<ref>{{cite journal
|last1=Branch |first1=T.A.
|last2=Abubaker |first2=E. M. N.
|last3=Mkango |first3=S.
|last4=Butterworth |first4=D. S.
|title=Separating southern blue whale subspecies based on length frequencies of sexually mature females
|journal=Marine Mammal Science |volume=23 |issue=4 |pages=803–833 |year=2007
|doi=10.1111/j.1748-7692.2007.00137.x
}}</ref> Estimates from a 1996 survey show that 424 pygmy blue whales were in a small area south of [[Madagascar]] (the Madagascar Plateau)<ref>WCS Madagascar – [https://programs.wcs.org/madagascar/Wildlife/Blue-whale.aspx Blue Whale]</ref> alone,<ref>{{cite journal
| title = The abundance of blue whales on the Madagascar Plateau, December 1996
| author = P. B. Best
| journal = Journal of Cetacean Research and Management| volume = 5 | issue = 3 | pages = 253–260
| url = https://archive.iwc.int/pages/search.php?search=!collection15&k= | accessdate = 31 July 2016
| publisher = [[International Whaling Commission|IWC]]
| year = 2003|display-authors=etal}}</ref> thus it is likely that numbers in the entire Indian Ocean are in the thousands. If this is true, the global numbers would be much higher than estimates predict.<ref name=BBC_pop>{{cite news | last=Kirby |first=Alex | title = Science seeks clues to pygmy whale
| publisher = [[BBC News Online]] | date = 19 June 2003 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3003564.stm | accessdate = 21 April 2006
}}</ref> However, slower reproduction rate of the species, along with the impacts of whaling, may affect population recoveries as the total population size is predicted to be at less than 50% of its pre-whaling state by 2100.<ref>[[CSIRO]]. 2017. [https://phys.org/news/2017-08-post-whaling-recovery-southern-hemisphere.html Post-whaling recovery of Southern Hemisphere]. [[Phys.org]]. Retrieved on August 22, 2017</ref>

Several congregating grounds are recently confirmed in [[Oceania]], such as Perth Canyon off [[Rottnest Island]], the [[Great Australian Bight]] off [[Portland, Victoria|Portland]], and in [[South Taranaki Bight]] and off [[Kahurangi Point]]<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Torres | first1 = G. L. | year = 2013 | title = Evidence for an unrecognised blue whale foraging ground in New Zealand | url = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263530782_Evidence_for_an_unrecognised_blue_whale_foraging_ground_in_New_Zealand | journal = New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research | volume = 47 | issue = 2| pages = 235–248| doi = 10.1080/00288330.2013.773919 }}</ref> which was discovered just in 2007 and was confirmed in 2014, representing possibly a unique population based on haplotypes.<ref>Torres P., Klinck H., et al. (2016). [http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/jan-feb_2016_field_report.pdf Blue whale ecology in the South Taranaki Bight region of New Zealand – January-February 2016 Field Report] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303201829/http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/jan-feb_2016_field_report.pdf |date=3 March 2017 }} (pdf). Retrieved on March 03, 2017</ref><ref>Harper L.. 2014. [http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/9681753/Blue-whale-dine-out-off-Taranaki-in-their-dozens Blue whale dine out off Taranaki in their dozens]. [[Stuff.co.nz]]. Retrieved on March 02, 2017</ref> Southern blue and pygmy blue females use waters off [[Western Australia]], and coastal areas of eastern [[North Island]] of New Zealand, from [[Northland Region|Northland]] waters such as the [[Bay of Islands]] and [[Hauraki Gulf]] to the [[Bay of Plenty]] in the south, as breeding and calving grounds. Whales off southern and western Australia are known to migrate into tropical coastal waters in [[Indonesia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerboat-world.com/index.cfm?Nid=59148&ntid=57&subid=72276&nlid=458744&tbl=Subs&pwd=j6o2ut |title=Sail World – The World's largest sailing news network: Sail and sailing, cruising, boating news |work=Sail-World.com |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426235607/http://www.powerboat-world.com/index.cfm?Nid=59148&ntid=57&subid=72276&nlid=458744&tbl=Subs&pwd=j6o2ut |archivedate=26 April 2014 }}</ref> [[Philippines]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/video/77783/24oras/24oras-blue-whale-namataan-sa-bohol|title=24oras: Blue whale, namataan sa Bohol – 24 Oras – GMA News Online|work=GMA News Online}}</ref> and off [[East Timor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2008/12/31/us-whales-timor-idUSTRE4BU0LD20081231|title=Global whale hot spot discovered off East Timor|work=Reuters}}</ref> (Animals in the Philippines may or may not originate from North Pacific populations or from a pygmy blue population in the northern Indian Ocean as whales regularly appear off [[Bohol]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sciencythoughts.blogspot.jp/2014/04/satellite-tracking-pygmy-blue-whales.html|title=Sciency Thoughts: Satellite tracking Pygmy Blue Whales.|publisher=}}</ref> north of the [[Equator]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://largemarinevertebratesproject.blogspot.jp/2012/04/spotting-big-blue.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=26 April 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427010341/http://largemarinevertebratesproject.blogspot.jp/2012/04/spotting-big-blue.html |archivedate=27 April 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lamave.org/media/ |title=Media |author=Large Marine Vertebrates Project Philippines |publisher= |accessdate=14 May 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518083819/http://www.lamave.org/media/ |archivedate=18 May 2015 }}</ref>) At least on occasions, whales also migrate through remote islands such as [[Cook Islands]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/species.asp?id=9021|title=Cook Islands Biodiversity : Balaenoptera musculus – Blue Whale|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/gef_prj_docs/GEFProjectDocuments/Multi%20Focal%20Area/Cook%20Islands%20-%20(5348)%20-%20Conserving%20Biodiversity%20and%20Enhancing%20Ecosystem%20Fu/12-18-14_Annex_3_-_Project_Sites.pdf |title=GEF Project Site Maps |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313041319/http://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/gef_prj_docs/GEFProjectDocuments/Multi%20Focal%20Area/Cook%20Islands%20-%20%285348%29%20-%20Conserving%20Biodiversity%20and%20Enhancing%20Ecosystem%20Fu/12-18-14_Annex_3_-_Project_Sites.pdf |date=13 March 2016 |archivedate=13 March 2016 |deadurl=yes |website=thegef.org |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/mar/ebsa-sea-01/other/ebsa-sea-01-submission-angola-template-en.pdf |title=Ramiros – Palmerinhas Coastal Area of Conservation near Mussulo Peninsula Island Submission of Scientific Information to Describe the Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas in Angola for the workshop in Namibia}}</ref> and Chilean pelagic waters adjacent to [[Easter Island]] and [[Isla Salas y Gómez]], where possibilities of undiscovered wintering grounds have been considered.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Hucke-Gaete R.|author2=Aguayo-Lobo A.|author3=Yancovic-Pakarati S.|author4=Flores M.|year=2014|title=Marine mammals of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) and Salas y Gómez Island (Motu Motiro Hiva), Chile: a review and new records|url=http://www.scielo.cl/pdf/lajar/v42n4/art05.pdf|journal=Lat. Am. J. Aquat. Res. |volume=42 |issue=4 |pages=743–751 |doi=10.3856/vol42-issue4-fulltext-5}}</ref>

Blue whales also migrate through western African waters such as off [[Angola]]<ref>https://www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/mar/ebsa-sea-01/other/ebsa-sea-01-submission-angola-template-en.pdf</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ketosecology.co.uk/blue-whales-angola-new-publication/|title=ketosecology.co.uk » Blue whales in Angola: new publication|publisher=}}</ref> and [[Mauritania]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wildscope.com/ocean-life/Mauritania.html|title=Mauritania|publisher=}}</ref> and at least whales around Iceland are known to migrate to Mauritania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hafro.is/~thg/NAMMCO/NAMMCO-publ/nass/ch01_web.pdf|title=A note on the distribution and abundance of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) in the Central and Northeast North Atlantic|publisher=}}</ref>

==== Subspecies' distribution ====
[[File:Rug van blauwe vinvis Sri Lanka.jpg|thumb|A pygmy blue whale off [[Sri Lanka]]]]
A fourth subspecies, ''B. m. indica'', was identified by [[Edward Blyth|Blyth]] in 1859 in the northern Indian Ocean, but is now thought to be the same subspecies as ''B. m. brevicauda'', the pygmy blue whale. Records for Soviet catches seem to indicate that the female adult size is closer to that of the pygmy blue than ''B. m. musculus''; the populations of ''B. m. indica'' and ''B. m. brevicauda'' appear to be discrete, and the breeding seasons differ by almost six months.<ref name = SHDistribution>{{cite journal
|title=Past and present distribution, densities and movements of blue whales ''Balaenoptera musculus'' in the Southern Hemisphere and northern Indian Ocean
|author1=T. A. Branch |author2=K. M. Stafford |author3=D. M. Palacios |journal = Mammal Review |year=2007 |volume = 37 |issue=2 |pages = 116–175
|doi=10.1111/j.1365-2907.2007.00106.x}}</ref> Along mainland Indian coasts, appearances of whales had been scarce excluding unconfirmed record(s),<ref>Sathasivam K. 2015. [https://www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/mar/ebsaws-2015-01/other/ebsaws-2015-01-gobi-submission5-en.pdf A CATALOGUE OF INDIAN MARINE MAMMAL RECORDS] (pdf)</ref> the first blue whale since after the last [[Cetacean stranding|stranding]] record in [[Maharashtra]] in 1914, was sighted off [[Kunkeshwar]] along with several [[Bryde's whale]]s in May 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/maharashtra-blue-whales-spotted-off-sindhudurg-coast-after-100yrs/story-oX5zAexD5y5dNCuU7o1BEL.html|title=Maharashtra: Blue whales spotted off Sindhudurg coast after 100yrs|work=hindustantimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/blue-whale-returns-to-maharashtra-waters-its-cousin-keeps-showing-up/|title=Blue whale returns to Maharashtra waters, last sighting was in 1914|date=21 May 2015|work=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://scroll.in/article/729374/why-the-sightings-of-rare-blue-whales-off-the-konkan-have-thrilled-scientists|title=Why the sightings of rare blue whales off the Konkan have thrilled scientists|author=Mridula Chari|work=Scroll.in}}</ref>

Migratory patterns of these subspecies are not well known. For example, pygmy blue whales have been recorded in the northern Indian Ocean ([[Oman]], Maldives and [[Sri Lanka]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.victorharbortimes.com.au/story/1671907/white-whale-in-middleton/?cs=1285|title=White whale in Middleton|author=Fairfax Regional Media|date=30 July 2013|work=The Times|accessdate=14 May 2015}}</ref> where they may form a distinct resident population.<ref name= SHDistribution /> Furthermore, sightings have been recorded from elsewhere in and adjacent to [[Arabian Sea]], including from [[Gulf of Aden]], [[Persian Gulf]], coasts of [[Bay of Bengal]] including [[Bangladesh]] to [[Myanmar]], and within the [[Strait of Malacca]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286535248_Seasonal_distribution_movements_and_taxonomie_status_of_blue_whales_Balaenoptera_musculus_in_the_northern_Indian_Ocean|title=Seasonal distribution, movements and taxonomie status of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) in the northern Indian Ocean (PDF Download Available)|website=ResearchGate}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Charles | first1 = A. | last2 = Branch | first2 = A. T. | last3 = Alagiyawadu | first3 = A. | last4 = Baldwin | first4 = R. | last5 = Marsac | first5 = F. | year = 2013 | title = Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) | url = http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/whales/blue-whale.html | journal = Journal of Cetacean Research and Management | volume = 12 | issue = 1 | pages = 203–218 | deadurl = yes | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170118223700/http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/whales/blue-whale.html | archivedate = 18 January 2017 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> The first official confirmation within [[Thailand]]'s EEZ occurred at [[Trang Province|Trang]] in 2013.<ref>2013. [https://www.thailandnews.co/2013/01/trapped-blue-whale-in-trang-swims-free/ Trapped blue whale in Trang swims free]</ref>

In addition, the population of blue whales occurring off [[Chile]] and [[Peru]] may also be a distinct subspecies. Some Antarctic blue whales approach the eastern South Atlantic coast in winter, and occasionally, their vocalizations are heard off Peru, Western Australia, and in the northern Indian Ocean.<ref name= SHDistribution /> In Chile, the [[Cetacean Conservation Center]], with support from the [[Chilean Navy]], is undertaking extensive research and conservation work on a recently discovered feeding aggregation of the species off the coast of [[Chiloe Island]] in the [[Gulf of Corcovado]] ([[Chiloé National Park]]), where 326 blue whales were spotted in 2007.<ref>{{cite web
| title=Blue Whales in Chile: The Giants of Marine Conservation
| publisher=[[Rufford Small Grants Foundation]]
| url=http://www.rufford.org/files/I.41%20Detailed%20Final%20Report.pdf
| author=Rodrigo Hucke-Gaete
| format=PDF| accessdate=22 March 2009}}</ref> In this regions, it is normal for blue whales to enter [[Fiord]]s. Whales also reach southern Los Lagos, such as off [[Caleta Zorra]], live along with other rorquals.

Efforts to calculate the blue whale population more accurately are supported by marine mammologists at [[Duke University]], who maintain the Ocean Biogeographic Information System—Spatial Ecological Analysis of Megavertebrate Populations (OBIS-SEAMAP), a collation of marine mammal sighting data from around 130 sources.<ref>The data for the blue whale, along with a species profile, may be found here [http://seamap.env.duke.edu/species/tsn/180528]</ref>

=== Threats other than hunting ===
[[File:Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) Mysticeti baleen whale.jpg|thumb|right|A blue whale surfaces]]
[[File:Example of Blue Whales' D calls in presence of MFA sonar - Melcón et al. 2012.png|thumb|right|Blue whales stop producing foraging D calls once a mid-frequency sonar is activated, even though the sonar frequency range (1–8&nbsp;kHz) far exceeds their sound production range (25–100&nbsp;Hz).<ref name="Melcón2012" />]]
Due to their enormous size, power and speed, adult blue whales have virtually no natural predators. There is one documented case in ''[[National Geographic Magazine]]'' of a blue whale being attacked by [[orca]]s off the [[Baja California Peninsula]]; the orcas were unable to kill the animal outright during their attack, but the blue whale sustained serious wounds and probably died as a result of them shortly after the attack.<ref>{{cite journal
| author = Tarpy, C.
| title = Killer whale attack!
| journal = National Geographic
| year = 1979
| volume = 155
| issue = 4
| pages = 542–545 }}</ref> In March 2014, a pack of orcas harassed a blue whale off [[California]], with one of them biting the tip of the blue whale's tail fluke. The blue whale attempted to tail slap the orca and fled at high speed.<ref>"Killer Whales Bully Lone Blue Whale in Rare Video" http://www.livescience.com/43879-killer-whales-attack-blue-whale-video.html</ref> A similar incident happened on May 18, 2017 in [[Monterey Bay]], with the orcas swimming in a line up to the blue whale's side. The blue whale fled and escaped. Orcas have virtually no chance against an adult blue whale, but may attack them on occasion anyway for their own enjoyment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/05/killer-whale-attacks-blue-whale-monterey-drone-video/|title=Killer Whales Attacked a Blue Whale—Here's the Surprising Reason Why|date=25 May 2017|publisher=}}</ref> Up to a quarter of the blue whales identified in Baja bear scars from orca attacks.<ref name=Bortolotti />

Blue whales may be wounded, sometimes fatally, after colliding with ocean vessels, as well as becoming trapped or entangled in fishing gear.<ref name="recplan98" /> Ship strikes in particular have killed many blue whales in California.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2014/07/blue-whales-being-struck-ships|title=Blue whales being struck by ships|date=23 July 2014|publisher=}}</ref> In September 2007, three dead blue whales washed up in southern California after being killed by ship strikes.<ref name=Bortolotti /> A similar incident occurred in northern California in 2017, possibly also 2010.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2010/10/06/dead-blue-whale-fetus-wash-ashore-in-san-mateo-county/|title=Dead blue whale, fetus wash ashore in San Mateo County|date=2010-10-06|work=The Mercury News|access-date=2018-03-14|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/environment-and-nature/20170527/blue-whale-washes-up-dead-along-northern-california-beach|title=Blue whale washes up dead along Northern California beach|last=Rogers|first=Paul|date=May 27, 2017|work=Santa Cruz Sentinel|access-date=2018-03-14|language=en}}</ref> Ship strikes are also a serious problem in Sri Lanka, and scientists believe this problem could be nearly eliminated by moving the shipping lanes 15 nautical miles to the south.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifaw.org/united-states/news/research-blue-whale-ship-strikes-sri-lanka-offers-solution-deadly-threat|title=Research into blue whale ship strikes off Sri Lanka offers solution to deadly threat|publisher=}}</ref> The ever-increasing amount of ocean noise, including [[Marine mammals and sonar|sonar]], drowns out the vocalizations produced by whales, which makes it harder for them to communicate.<ref name="Melcón2012">{{cite journal|title=Blue Whales Respond to Anthropogenic Noise | doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0032681 | volume=7 | journal=PLoS ONE | pages=e32681|bibcode = 2012PLoSO...732681M | pmid=22393434 | pmc=3290562 | year=2012 | last1 = Melcón | first1 = ML | last2 = Cummins | first2 = AJ | last3 = Kerosky | first3 = SM | last4 = Roche | first4 = LK | last5 = Wiggins | first5 = SM | last6 = Hildebrand | first6 = JA}}</ref><ref name="recplan98" /> Blue whales stop producing foraging D calls once a mid-frequency sonar is activated, even though the sonar frequency range (1–8&nbsp;kHz) far exceeds their sound production range (25–100&nbsp;Hz).<ref name="Melcón2012" /> Research on blue whales in the [[Southern California Bight]] has shown that mid-frequency sonar use interferes with foraging behavior, sometimes causing the whales to abandon their feeding.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/280/1765/20130657.long |title=Blue whales respond to simulated mid-frequency military sonar |vauthors=Goldbogen JA, Southall BL, Deruiter SL, Calambokidis J, Friedlaender AS, Hazen EL, Falcone EA, Schorr GS, Douglas A, Moretti DJ, Kyburg C, McKenna MF, Tyack PL |journal=[[Proceedings of the Royal Society B]] |date= Jul 3, 2013 |volume=280 |issue=765 |pmid=23825206 |doi=10.1098/rspb.2013.0657 |page=20130657 |pmc=3712439}}</ref> Human threats to the potential recovery of blue whale populations also include accumulation of [[polychlorinated biphenyl]] (PCB) chemicals within the whale's body.<ref name="wheelock" />

With [[global warming]] causing [[glacier]]s and [[permafrost]] to melt rapidly and allowing a large amount of fresh water to flow into the oceans, there are concerns that if the amount of fresh water in the oceans reaches a critical point, there will be a [[Shutdown of thermohaline circulation|disruption in the thermohaline circulation]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Schiermeier |first=Quirin |year=2007 |title=Climate change: a sea change |journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |volume=439 |issue=7074 |pages=256–260 |url=http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7074/full/439256a.html |doi=10.1038/439256a |pmid=16421539|bibcode = 2006Natur.439..256S }} (subscription required); see also {{cite web |title=Atlantic circulation change summary |date=19 January 2006 |work=RealClimate.org |url=http://www.realclimate.org/index.php?p=187}}</ref> Considering the blue whale's migratory patterns are based on ocean temperature, a disruption in this circulation, which moves warm and cold water around the world, would be likely to have an effect on their migration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u196/downloads/rr414.pdf |author=Robert A. Robinson |author2=Jennifer A. Learmonth |author3=Anthony M. Hutson|author4=Colin D. Macleod |author5=Tim H. Sparks|author6=David I. Leech |author7=Graham J. Pierce|author8=Mark M. Rehfisch |author9=Humphrey Q.P. Crick |last-author-amp=yes |title=Climate Change and Migratory Species |publisher=BTO |date=August 2005 |accessdate=9 July 2007 |format=PDF |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028202716/http://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u196/downloads/rr414.pdf |archivedate=28 October 2014 }}</ref> The whales summer in the cool, high latitudes, where they feed in krill-abundant waters; they winter in warmer, low latitudes, where they mate and give birth.<ref>{{cite journal
| author = Hucke-Gaete, Rodrigo
| author2 = Layla P. Osman
| author3 = Carlos A. Moreno
| author4 = Ken P. Findlay
| author5 = Don K. Ljungblad
| last-author-amp = yes
| title = Discovery of a Blue Whale Feeding and Nursing Ground in Southern Chile
| journal = The Royal Society
| year = 2003
| pages = s170–s173
| pmc = 1810017
| pmid=15252974
| doi=10.1098/rsbl.2003.0132
| volume=271 Suppl 4}}</ref>

The change in ocean temperature would also affect the blue whale's food supply. The warming trend and decreased salinity levels would cause a significant shift in krill location and abundance.<ref>{{cite journal
| author = Moline, Mark A.
| author2 = Herve Claustre
| author3 = Thomas K. Frazer
| author4 = Oscar Schofield
| author5 = Maria Vernet
| last-author-amp = yes
| title = Alteration of the Food Web Along the Antarctic Peninsula in Response to a Regional Warming Trend
| journal = Global Change Biology
| volume = 10 |issue=12
| year = 2004
| pages = 1973–1980
| url = http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2004.00825.x
| doi = 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2004.00825.x| citeseerx = 10.1.1.486.7880
}}</ref>

== In popular culture ==
Before modern whaling began in the late 19th century, blue whales were obscure and very poorly understood. They, along with other large whales were mythologized and indistinguishable from sea monsters. Even after the first specimens were described, the blue whale went by many names and scientists often described their specimens as new species. Descriptions and illustrations were inaccurate. The taxonomy was eventually resolved, but many mysteries remained.<ref name=Bortolotti /><ref name=small />

The blue whale rose from relative obscurity in the 1970s, after the release of the Songs of the Humpback Whale. The difference between the humpback and the blue whale was not well known to most people, who conflated the species in their minds. To many listeners, the haunting songs seemed like a cry for help. Environmentalists developed the image of a lonely blue whale singing out in an empty ocean, since whalers had nearly hunted the species to extinction.<ref name=Bortolotti />

Today, the blue whale is renowned for being the largest animal ever to have lived. In part because of its legendary status, many misconceptions still exist. For example, its size is often exaggerated. Many popular sources give the maximum length as {{convert|110|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} or more. While such lengths were reported in the whaling records, they were not scientifically verified and were probably exaggerated. Virtually all books and articles that mention the blue whale claim that it can reach {{convert|100|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}}. This is probably true (the largest verified specimen was {{convert|30|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us|disp=comma}}<ref name=pop /> but is highly misleading as the average size is much smaller.<ref name=Bortolotti /><ref>"Sizing ocean giants: patterns of intraspecific size variation in marine megafauna" by Craig R. McClain, Meghan A. Balk, Mark C. Benfield, Trevor A. Branch, Catherine Chen, James Cosgrove, Alistair D.M. Dove, Lindsay C. Gaskins, Rebecca R. Helm, Frederick G. Hochberg, Frank B. Lee, Andrea Marshall, Steven E. McMurray, Caroline Schanche, Shane N. Stone, Andrew D. Thaler https://peerj.com/articles/715/</ref>

The global population was reduced by more than 99% during the 20th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://acsonline.org/fact-sheets/blue-whale-2/|title=Blue Whales|publisher=American Cetacean Society}}</ref> Most of this was in the Antarctic, which had been reduced to 360 individuals or about 0.15% of their original numbers; other populations were not as badly depleted. The Antarctic blue whale population is growing at the relatively rapid rate of about 7.3% per year, but it was hunted to such a low level that it remains at a tiny fraction of pre-whaling numbers.<ref name=Ant /> The global population still requires protection, but it is not in immediate danger of extinction.<ref name=Bortolotti />

Other myths and misconceptions include that the blue whale's arteries can be swum through, that the heartbeat can be heard from 19 miles away, and that the blue whale penis is 16 feet long.<ref name=Bortolotti />

== Museums ==
[[File:Blue-Whale-Balaenoptera musculus-NHM-2017-PNG-001.png|thumb|The blue whale skeleton in the [[Natural History Museum, London]]]]

The [[Natural History Museum, London#Major specimens and exhibits|Natural History Museum]] in London contains a famous mounted skeleton and life-size model of a blue whale, which were both the first of their kind in the world, but have since been replicated at the [[University of California, Santa Cruz]]. Similarly, the [[American Museum of Natural History]] in New York City has a full-size model in its Milstein Family Hall of Ocean Life. A juvenile blue whale skeleton named [[KOBO (whale)|KOBO]] is installed at the [[New Bedford Whaling Museum]] in [[New Bedford, Massachusetts]].

[[File:Marine Life Hall, American Museum of Natural History (7356570628).jpg|thumb|left|The [[AMNH Exhibitions Lab|Exhibition Lab's]] blue whale at the [[American Museum of Natural History]]]]

The [[Aquarium of the Pacific]] in [[Long Beach, California]], features a life-size model of a mother blue whale with her calf suspended from the ceiling of its main hall.<ref>{{cite web
| title=Aquarium of the Pacific – Online Learning Center – Blue Whale
| url=http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/onlinelearningcenter/species/blue_whale/
| accessdate=12 August 2009}}</ref> The [[Beaty Biodiversity Museum]] at the [[University of British Columbia]], Canada, houses a display of a blue whale skeleton (skull is cast replica) directly on the main campus boulevard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beatymuseum.ubc.ca/projblue01.html|title=The Blue Whale Project |year=2010|work=Beaty Biodiversity Museum|publisher=University of British Columbia|accessdate=2 May 2010|location= Vancouver, BC|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404042222/http://www.beatymuseum.ubc.ca/projblue01.html |archivedate=4 April 2010}}</ref> A real skeleton of a blue whale at the [[Canadian Museum of Nature]] in Ottawa was also unveiled in May 2010.<ref>{{cite web|author=Canada |url=http://nature.ca/en/plan-your-visit/what-see-do/our-exhibitions/water-gallery |title=Exhibition: RBC Blue Water Gallery &#124; Canadian Museum of Nature |publisher=Nature.ca |accessdate=13 August 2012}}</ref> The [[Royal Ontario Museum]] obtained a blue whale, which died in [[Newfoundland and Labrador]] in 2014, and began an exhibition in 2016 to display its skeleton in [[Toronto]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rom.on.ca/en/blue-whale|title=The Blue Whale Exhibition – Tickets – Royal Ontario Museum|website=www.rom.on.ca}}</ref>

The Museum of Natural History in [[Gothenburg]], Sweden, contains the only stuffed blue whale in the world, with its skeleton mounted beside it. Two skeletons are held in Ukraine: in [[Odessa]] and [[Kherson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.onu.edu.ua/ukr/treasures/single/6|title=Пресс-служба Одесского национального университета имени И.И. Мечникова|publisher=}}</ref>

[[File:BlueWhaleSkeleton.jpg|thumb|right|Blue whale skeleton, outside the Long Marine Laboratory at the [[University of California, Santa Cruz]]]]

The [[Melbourne Museum]] and [[Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/topic/999|title=Topic: Pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus)|quote=The suspended skeleton in Mountains to the Sea...}}</ref> both feature a skeleton of the [[pygmy blue whale]]. The [[North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences]] in [[Raleigh, North Carolina]], has a mounted skeleton of a blue whale.

The [[South African Museum]] in [[Cape Town]] features a hall devoted to whales and natural history known as the Whale Well. The centrepiece of the exhibit is a suspended mounted blue whale skeleton, from the carcass of a partially mature specimen that washed ashore in the mid 1980s. The skeleton's jaw bones are mounted on the floor of Whale Well to permit visitors direct contact with them, and to walk between them so as to appreciate the size of the animal. Other mounted skeletons include that of a [[humpback whale]] and a [[right whale]], together with in-scale composite models of other whales, dolphins and porpoises.

The [[Tokyo National Museum]] in [[Ueno Park]] displays a life-sized model of a blue whale in the front. Several other institutions such as [[Tokai University]] and Taiji Whale Museum hold skeletons or skeleton models of Pygmy blue whales, while several churches and buildings in western Japan including [[Nagasaki Prefecture]] display the jawbone of captured animals as a gate.

== Whale-watching ==
Blue whales may be encountered (but rarely) on [[whale-watching]] cruises in the [[Gulf of Maine]]<ref>{{cite journal
|vauthors=Wenzel FW, Mattila DK, Clapham PJ |year=1988
|title=''Balaenoptera musculus'' in the Gulf of Maine
|journal= Mar Mammal Sci.
|volume=4
|pages= 172–175
|doi=10.1111/j.1748-7692.1988.tb00198.x
|issue= 2}}</ref> and are the main attractions along the north shore of the [[Gulf of Saint Lawrence]] and in the Saint Lawrence estuary.<ref name="recplan98">{{Cite book
| vauthors= Reeves RR, Clapham PJ, Brownell RL, Silber GK
| title =Recovery plan for the blue whale ''(Balaenoptera musculus)''
| year = 1998
| page = 42
| place = Silver Spring, MD
| publisher = National Marine Fisheries Service
| accessdate=20 June 2007
| url=http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/recovery/whale_blue.pdf
|format=PDF}}</ref> Blue whales can also be seen off Southern California, starting as early as March and April, with the peak between July and September.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/21/blue-whales-spotted-in-un_n_732181.html
| title = Blue Whales Spotted In Unusually Large Numbers Off Southern California Shore
| publisher = The Huffington Post
| date = 21 September 2010
| accessdate = 2 April 2012}}</ref> More whales have been observed close to shore along with fin whales.

In [[Chile]], the [[Alfaguara project]] combines conservation measures for the population of blue whales feeding off [[Chiloé Island]] with whale watching and other ecotourism activities that bring economic benefits to the local people.<ref name=Rufford2008>{{cite web
| url = http://www.rufford.org/files/I.28%20Detailed%20Final%20Report.pdf
| title = Alfaguara project
| publisher = Rufford Small Grant s Foundation
| date = January 2008
| accessdate = 1 April 2012}}</ref>
Whale-watching, principally blue whales, is also carried out south of [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/whales/sri-lanka-whales.html#cr
| title=Is southern Sri Lanka the world's top spot for seeing Blue and Sperm whales?
| publisher=Wildlife Extra.com
| author=Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne
| accessdate=15 April 2011}}</ref> Whales are widely seen along the coast of Chile and Peru near the coast, occasionally making mixed groups with fin, sei, and Bryde's whales.

[[Whale watching in Australia|In Australia]], pygmy blue and Antarctic blue whales have been observed from various tours in almost all the coastlines of the continent. Among these, tours with sightings likely the highest rate are on west coast such as in [[Geographe Bay]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://legendcharters.net.au/blue-whales-arrive-geographe-bay/|title=Blue Whales arrive in Geographe Bay|work=Whale watching & Deep sea fishing charters in South West Australia|accessdate=14 May 2015}}</ref> and in [[Great South Australian Coastal Upwelling System|southern bight off Portland]].<!--<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.melbourneplaygrounds.com.au/melbourneplaygrounds-info.php?id=24593|title=<br /> '''Warning''': mysql_result() [<a href='function.mysql-result'>function.mysql-result</a>]: Unable to jump to row 0 on MySQL result index 6 in '''/home/melbplay/public_html/metatags_breadcrumb_inc.php''' on line '''19'''<br /> -|publisher=|accessdate=14 May 2015}}</ref>--> For later, special tours to observe pygmy blues by helicopters are organized.<ref>{{cite av media|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/HeliExplore/videos|title=HeliExplore|work=YouTube|accessdate=14 May 2015}}</ref>

[[Whale watching in New Zealand|In New Zealand]], whales have been seen in many areas close to shore, most notably around the Northland coast, in the [[Hauraki Gulf]] and the [[Bay of Plenty]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gettyimages.co.jp/detail/photo/blue-whale-feeding-near-shore-new-zealand-high-res-stock-photography/91275736|title=Blue Whale Feeding Near Shore New Zealand ストックフォト 91275736|author=Kim Westerskov|work=Getty Images}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of largest mammals]]
* [[List of cetaceans|List of whale and dolphin species]]
* [[List of whale vocalizations]]
{{portalbar|Cetaceans|Mammals|Animals|Biology|Marine Life}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{RefAudubonMarineMammals}} pp.&nbsp;89–93.
* {{Cite book
| title = Blue Whales
|author1=J. Calambokidis |author2=G. Steiger
|lastauthoramp=yes | year = 1998
| publisher = Voyageur Press
| isbn = 0-89658-338-4}}
* {{cite web
| title=Blue Whale
| work= [[American Cetacean Society]]
| url= http://www.acsonline.org/factpack/bluewhl.htm
| accessdate = 7 January 2005
| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20041229091633/http://www.acsonline.org/factpack/bluewhl.htm <!-- Added by H3llBot -->
| archivedate= 29 December 2004}}
* {{cite web
| title=Blue whale, ''Balaenoptera musculus''
| work = MarineBio.org
| url = http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=41
| accessdate = 21 April 2006}}
* [http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/cetaceans/bluewhale.htm NOAA Fisheries, Office of Protected Resources] Blue whale biology & status
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons|Balaenoptera musculus}}
{{Commons|Balaenoptera musculus}}
{{Wikispecies|Balaenoptera musculus}}
{{refbegin}}
{{Spoken Wikipedia|Blue whale.ogg|2006-04-13}}
* [http://www.ccc-chile.org 智利鯨類保護中心]
* [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Balaenoptera_musculus/ Photographs and movies from ARKive]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3003564.stm 科學尋求侏儒藍鯨的線索]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150226002906/http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp/listen-to-project-sounds/blue-whale Blue whale vocalizations] – [[Cornell]] Lab of Ornithology—Bioacoustics Research Program
* 海洋自然歷史攝影師邁克·詹森的[http://www.earthwindow.com/blue.html 藍鯨照片]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10340277.stm BBC News – Great whales]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070711025158/http://www.acsonline.org/factpack/bluewhl.htm 美國鯨類協會藍鯨情況說明書]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/species/Blue_Whale Blue whale video clips and news from the BBC – BBC Wildlife Finder]
* 來自EnchantedLearning.com的[http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/whales/species/Bluewhale.shtml 藍鯨信息]
* [http://cetus.ucsd.edu/voicesinthesea_org/species/baleenWhales/blue.html Voices in the Sea – Sounds of the Blue Whale]
* 來自OceanLight.com的[http://www.oceanlight.com/html/blue_whale.html 有關藍鯨的照片]
* 在[http://seamap.env.duke.edu OBIS-SEAMAP:海洋哺乳動物,鳥類和龜鱉]的 [http://seamap.env.duke.edu/species/tsn/180528 藍鯨物種簡述]
* [http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=41 MarineBio:藍鯨]
* [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Balaenoptera_musculus/ ARKive中藍鯨的影片與照片]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081016204937/http://www.whalingmuseum.org/exhibits/kobo.html 新貝爾德福博物館中藍鯨的照片]*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081016204937/http://www.whalingmuseum.org/exhibits/kobo.html of "Kobo", a Blue Whale skeleton]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150226002906/http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp/listen-to-project-sounds/blue-whale Blue Whale vocalizations] - [[康乃爾大學]]生物學研究
* [http://www.cetace.info/videos/Baleine_bleue/videos_baleine_bleue.php 藍鯨的活動影片]
{{refend}}


<!-- Meta-data goes here --->
{{-}}
{{Baleen whales}}
{{Cetacea|M.}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q42196}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:鬚鯨屬]]
[[Category:Blue whales| ]]
[[Category:瀕危物種]]
[[Category:Arctic cetaceans]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1758]]
[[Category:Conservation-reliant species]]
[[Category:Cetaceans of the Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Cetaceans of the Indian Ocean]]
[[Category:Cetaceans of the Pacific Ocean]]
[[Category:Biological records]]
[[Category:ESA endangered species]]

2018年5月12日 (六) 06:14的版本

Template:Pp-semi

Blue whale[1]
化石时期:Quaternary – Recent
[2]
Adult blue whale
(Balaenoptera musculus)
Size compared to an average human
科学分类 编辑
界: 动物界 Animalia
门: 脊索动物门 Chordata
纲: 哺乳纲 Mammalia
目: 偶蹄目 Artiodactyla
下目: 鲸下目 Cetacea
科: 须鲸科 Balaenopteridae
属: 须鲸属 Balaenoptera
种:
Blue whale[1] B. musculus
二名法
Balaenoptera musculus
Subspecies
Blue whale range (in blue)
異名
  • Balaenoptera gibbar Scoresby, 1820
  • Pterobalaena gigas Van Beneden, 1861
  • Physalus latirostris Flower, 1864
  • Sibbaldius borealis Gray, 1866
  • Flowerius gigas Lilljeborg, 1867
  • Sibbaldius sulfureus Cope, 1869
  • Balaenoptera sibbaldii Sars, 1875

The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is a marine mammal belonging to the baleen whales (Mysticeti).[4] At up to 30米(98英尺)[5] in length and with a maximum recorded weight of 173公噸(190短噸[5] and probably reaching over 181公噸(200短噸), it is the largest animal known to have ever existed.[6][7]

Long and slender, the blue whale's body can be various shades of bluish-grey dorsally and somewhat lighter underneath.[8] There are at least three distinct subspecies: B. m. musculus of the North Atlantic and North Pacific, B. m. intermedia of the Southern Ocean and B. m. brevicauda (also known as the pygmy blue whale) found in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific Ocean. B. m. indica, found in the Indian Ocean, may be another subspecies. As with other baleen whales, its diet consists almost exclusively of small crustaceans known as krill.[9]

Blue whales were abundant in nearly all the oceans on Earth until the beginning of the twentieth century. For over a century, they were hunted almost to extinction by whalers until protected by the international community in 1966. A 2002 report estimated there were 5,000 to 12,000 blue whales worldwide,[5] in at least five groups. The IUCN estimates that there are probably between 10,000 and 25,000 blue whales worldwide today.[10] Before whaling, the largest population was in the Antarctic, numbering approximately 239,000 (range 202,000 to 311,000).[11] There remain only much smaller (around 2,000) concentrations in each of the eastern North Pacific, Antarctic, and Indian Ocean groups. There are two more groups in the North Atlantic, and at least two in the Southern Hemisphere. As of 2014, the Eastern North Pacific blue whale population had rebounded to nearly its pre-hunting population.[12]

Balaenoptera musculus

Taxonomy

Blue whales are rorquals (family Balaenopteridae), a family that includes the humpback whale, the fin whale, Bryde's whale, the sei whale, and the minke whale.[4] The family Balaenopteridae is believed to have diverged from the other families of the suborder Mysticeti as long ago as the middle Oligocene (28 Ma ago). The blue whale lineage diverged from the other rorquals during the Miocene, between 7.5 and 10.5 million years ago. However, gene flow between the species appears to have continued beyond that date. The blue whale has the greatest genetic diversity of any baleen whale, and a higher than average diversity among mammals.[13]

The blue whale is usually classified as one of eight species in the genus Balaenoptera; one authority places it in a separate monotypic genus, Sibbaldus,[14] but this is not accepted elsewhere.[1] DNA sequencing analysis indicates that the blue whale is phylogenetically closer to the sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) and Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydei) than to other Balaenoptera species, and closer to the humpback whale (Megaptera) and the gray whale (Eschrichtius) than to the minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata and Balaenoptera bonaerensis).[15][16]

There have been at least 11 documented cases of blue whale-fin whale hybrid adults in the wild. Arnason and Gullberg describe the genetic distance between a blue and a fin as about the same as that between a human and a gorilla.[17] Researchers working off Fiji believe they photographed a hybrid humpback-blue whale[18] including the discovery through DNA analysis from a meat sample found in a Japanese market.[19][20]

The first published description of the blue whale comes from Robert Sibbald's Phalainologia Nova (1694). In September 1692, Sibbald found a blue whale that had stranded in the Firth of Forth – a male 24米(78英尺) long – that had "black, horny plates" and "two large apertures approaching a pyramid in shape".[7]

The specific name musculus is Latin and could mean "muscle", but it can also be interpreted as "little mouse".[21] Carl Linnaeus, who named the species in his seminal Systema Naturae of 1758,[22] would have known this and may have intended the ironic double meaning.[23] Herman Melville called this species "sulphur-bottom" in his novel Moby-Dick (1851) due to an orange-brown or yellow tinge on the underparts from diatom films on the skin. Other common names for the blue whale have included "Sibbald's rorqual" (after Sibbald, who first described the species), the "great blue whale" and the "great northern rorqual". These names have now fallen into disuse. The first known usage of the term "blue whale" was in Melville's Moby-Dick, which only mentions it in passing and does not specifically attribute it to the species in question. The name was really derived from the Norwegian blåhval, coined by Svend Foyn shortly after he had perfected the harpoon gun; the Norwegian scientist G. O. Sars adopted it as the Norwegian common name in 1874.[7]

Authorities classify the species into three or four subspecies: B. m. musculus, the northern blue whale consisting of the North Atlantic and North Pacific populations, B. m. intermedia, the southern blue whale of the Southern Ocean, B. m. brevicauda, the pygmy blue whale found in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific,[24] and the more problematic B. m. indica, the great Indian rorqual, which is also found in the Indian Ocean and, although described earlier, may be the same subspecies as B. m. brevicauda.[1]

The pygmy blue whale formed from a founder group of Antarctic blue whales about 20,000 years ago, around the Last Glacial Maximum. This is likely because blue whales were driven north by expanding ice, and some have stayed there ever since. The pygmy blue whale's evolutionarily recent origins cause it to have a relatively low genetic diversity.[25]

Description

A blue whale lifting its tail flukes
Adult blue whale

The blue whale has a long tapering body that appears stretched in comparison with the stockier build of other whales.[26] The head is flat, U-shaped and has a prominent ridge running from the blowhole to the top of the upper lip.[26] The front part of the mouth is thick with baleen plates; around 300 plates, each around one米(3.3英尺) long,[26] hang from the upper jaw, running 0.5米(20英寸) back into the mouth. Between 70 and 118 grooves (called ventral pleats) run along the throat parallel to the body length. These pleats assist with evacuating water from the mouth after lunge feeding (see feeding below).

The dorsal fin is small;[26] its height averages about 28厘米(11英寸), and usually ranges between 20、40 cm(7.9、15.7英寸), though it can be as small as 8 cm(3.1英寸) or as large as 70 cm(28英寸).[27] It is visible only briefly during the dive sequence. Located around three-quarters of the way along the length of the body, it varies in shape from one individual to another; some only have a barely perceptible lump, but others may have prominent and falcate (sickle-shaped) dorsals. When surfacing to breathe, the blue whale raises its shoulder and blowhole out of the water to a greater extent than other large whales, such as the fin or sei whales. Observers can use this trait to differentiate between species at sea. Some blue whales in the North Atlantic and North Pacific raise their tail fluke when diving. When breathing, the whale emits a vertical single-column spout, typically 9米(30英尺) high, but reaching up to 12米(39英尺). Its lung capacity is 5,000公升(1,300美制加侖). Blue whales have twin blowholes shielded by a large splashguard.[26]

The flippers are 3—4米(9.8—13.1英尺) long. The upper sides are grey with a thin white border; the lower sides are white. The head and tail fluke are generally uniformly grey. The whale's upper parts, and sometimes the flippers, are usually mottled. The degree of mottling varies substantially from individual to individual. Some may have a uniform slate-grey color, but others demonstrate a considerable variation of dark blues, greys and blacks, all tightly mottled.[4]

Blue whales can reach speeds of 50公里每小時(31英里每小時) over short bursts, usually when interacting with other whales, but 20公里每小時(12英里每小時) is a more typical traveling speed.[4] Satellite telemetry of Australian pygmy blue whales migrating to Indonesia has shown that they cover between 0.09和455.8公里(0.056和283.221英里) per day.[28] When feeding, they slow down to 5公里每小時(3.1英里每小時).

Blue whales typically swim at a depth of about 13米(43英尺) when migrating in order to eliminate drag from surface waves. The deepest confirmed dive is 506米(1,660英尺).[29]

Blue whales most commonly live alone or with one other individual. It is not known how long traveling pairs stay together. In locations where there is a high concentration of food, as many as 50 blue whales have been seen scattered over a small area. They do not form the large, close-knit groups seen in other baleen species.

Size

View of a blue whale and its bow wave, showing the blowhole
The blow of a blue whale
The small dorsal fin of this blue whale is just visible on the far left.

The blue whale is the largest animal known to have ever lived.[6][7]

Blue whales are difficult to weigh because of their size. They were never weighed whole, but cut into blocks 0.5—0.6米(1.6—2.0英尺) across and weighed by parts.[30] This caused a considerable loss of blood and body fluids, estimated to be about 6% of the total weight.[31] As a whole, blue whales from the Northern Atlantic and Pacific are smaller on average than those from Antarctic waters. Adult weights typically range from 45—136公噸(50—150短噸).[32] There is some uncertainty about the biggest blue whale ever found, as most data came from blue whales killed in Antarctic waters during the first half of the twentieth century, which were collected by whalers not well-versed in standard zoological measurement techniques. The standard measuring technique is to measure in a straight line from the upper jaw to the notch in the tail flukes. This came about because the edges of the tail flukes were typically cut off, and the lower jaw often falls open upon death. Many of the larger whales in the whaling records (especially those over 100英尺(30.5米)) were probably measured incorrectly or even deliberately exaggerated.[7] The heaviest weight ever reported was 173公噸(190短噸);[5][33] for a southern hemisphere female in 1947,[5] it is likely that the largest blue whales would have weighed over 200短噸(181公噸).[7] The longest whales ever recorded were two females measuring 33.6和33.3米(110和109英尺), but in neither of these cases was the piecemeal weight gathered.[34] Possibly the largest recorded male was killed near the South Shetland Islands in 1926 and was measured at 31.7米(104英尺).[35]

Females are generally a few feet longer than males. However, males may be slightly heavier on average than females of the same length, owing to heavier muscles and bones.[30] Verified measurements rarely exceed 28米(92英尺). The longest measured by Macintosh and Wheeler (1929) was a female 28.5米(94英尺), while the largest male was 26.45米(86.8英尺);[27] one of the same authors later found a male of 26.65米(87.4英尺) and stated that those lengths may be exceeded.[36] The longest whale measured by scientists was 30米(98英尺) long.[5] Lieut. Quentin R. Walsh, USCG, while acting as whaling inspector of the factory ship Ulysses, verified the measurement of a 30米(98英尺) pregnant blue whale caught in the Antarctic in the 1937–38 season.[37] A 26.8米(88英尺) male was verified by Japanese scientists in the 1947–48 whaling season.[38] The longest reported in the North Pacific was a 27.1米(89英尺) female taken by Japanese whalers in 1959, and the longest reported in the North Atlantic was a 28米(92英尺) female caught in the Davis Strait.[7] The average weight of the longest scientifically verified specimens (30米(98英尺)) would be calculated to be 176.5 tonnes (194.6 tons), varying from 141 tonnes (155.4 tons) to 211.5 tonnes (233.1 tons) depending on fat condition.[31][39] One study found that a hypothetical 33米(108英尺) blue whale would be too large to exist in real life, due to metabolic and energy constraints.[40]

Due to its large size, several organs of the blue whale are the largest in the animal kingdom. A blue whale's tongue weighs around 2.7公噸(3.0短噸)[41] and, when fully expanded, its mouth is large enough to hold up to 90公噸(99短噸) of food and water.[9] Despite the size of its mouth, the dimensions of its throat are such that a blue whale cannot swallow an object wider than a beach ball.[42] The heart of an average sized blue whale weighs 400英磅(180公斤) and is the largest known in any animal.[43] During the first seven months of its life, a blue whale calf drinks approximately 380公升(100美制加侖) of milk every day. Blue whale calves gain weight quickly, as much as 90公斤(200英磅) every 24 hours. Even at birth, they weigh up to 2,700公斤(5,950英磅)—the same as a fully grown hippopotamus.[4] Blue whales have proportionally small brains, only about 6.92公斤(15.26英磅), about 0.007% of its body weight,[44] although with a highly convoluted cerebral cortex.[35] The blue whale penis is the largest penis of any living organism[45] and also set the Guinness World Record as the longest of any animal's.[46] The reported average length varies but is usually mentioned to have an average length of 2.4至3.0米(8至10英尺).[47]

A blue whale skull measuring 5.8米(19英尺)

Behaviour

Feeding

Blue whales feed almost exclusively on krill, though they also take small numbers of copepods.[48] The species of this zooplankton eaten by blue whales varies from ocean to ocean. In the North Atlantic, Meganyctiphanes norvegica, Thysanoessa raschii, Thysanoessa inermis and Thysanoessa longicaudata are the usual food;[49][50][51] in the North Pacific, Euphausia pacifica, Thysanoessa inermis, Thysanoessa longipes, Thysanoessa spinifera, Nyctiphanes symplex and Nematoscelis megalops;[52][53][54] and in the Southern Hemisphere, Euphausia superba, Euphausia crystallorophias, Euphausia valentini, and Nyctiphanes australis.

An adult blue whale can eat up to 40 million krill in a day.[55] The whales always feed in the areas with the highest concentration of krill, sometimes eating up to 3,600公斤(7,900英磅) of krill in a single day.[48] The daily energy requirement of an adult blue whale is in the region of 1.5 × 106千卡(6.3吉焦耳).[56] Their feeding habits are seasonal. Blue whales gorge on krill in the rich waters of the Antarctic before migrating to their breeding grounds in the warmer, less-rich waters nearer the equator. The blue whale can take in up to 90 times as much energy as it expends, allowing it to build up considerable energy reserves.[57][58][59]

Because krill move, blue whales typically feed at depths of more than 100米(330英尺) during the day and only surface-feed at night. Dive times are typically 10 minutes when feeding, though dives of up to 21 minutes are possible. The whale feeds by lunging forward at groups of krill, taking the animals and a large quantity of water into its mouth. The water is then squeezed out through the baleen plates by pressure from the ventral pouch and tongue. Once the mouth is clear of water, the remaining krill, unable to pass through the plates, are swallowed. The blue whale also incidentally consumes small fish, crustaceans and squid caught up with krill.[60][61]

Life history

A blue whale calf with its mother

Mating starts in late autumn and continues to the end of winter.[62] Little is known about mating behaviour or breeding grounds. In the fall, males will follow females for prolonged periods of time. Occasionally, a second male will attempt to displace the first, and the whales will race each other at high speed, ranging from 17英里每小時(27公里每小時) to 20英里每小時(32公里每小時) in New Zealand. This often causes the racing whales to breach, which is rare in blue whales. This racing behavior may even escalate to physical violence between the males. Scientists have observed this behavior in multiple parts of the world, including the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada and the South Taranaki Bight in New Zealand.[7][63]

Females typically give birth once every two to three years at the start of the winter after a gestation period of 10 to 12 months.[62] The calf weighs about 2.5公噸(2.8短噸) and is around 7米(23英尺) in length. Blue whale calves drink 380–570 litres (100–150 U.S. gallons) of milk a day. Blue whale milk has an energy content of about 18,300 kJ/kg (4,370 kcal/kg).[64] The calf is weaned after six months, by which time it has doubled in length. The first video of a calf thought to be nursing was filmed on 5 February 2016.[65]

Sexual maturity is typically reached at five to ten years of age. In the Northern Hemisphere, whaling records show that males averaged 20—21米(66—69英尺) and females 21—23米(69—75英尺) at sexual maturity,[66] while in the Southern Hemisphere it was 22.6、24米(74、79英尺), respectively.[67] In the Northern Hemisphere, as adults, males averaged 24米(79英尺) and females 25米(82英尺) with average calculated weights of 90.5 and 101.5 tonnes (100 and 112 tons), respectively.[31] Blue whales in the eastern North Pacific population were found to be on average 0.91米(3.0英尺) shorter,[68] therefore with males averaging 23.3米(76英尺) and 80.5 tonnes (88.5 tons) and females 24米(79英尺) and 90.5 tonnes (100 tons).[31] Antarctic males averaged 25米(82英尺) and females 26.2米(86英尺),[39][66][67] averaging 101.5 and 118 tonnes (112 and 130 tons).[31] Pygmy blue whales average 19.2米(63英尺) at sexual maturity, with males averaging 21 meters and females 22 meters (69 and 72 feet) when fully grown,[69] averaging 76 and 90 tonnes (83.5 and 99 tons).[31]

In the eastern North Pacific, photogrammetric studies have shown sexually mature (but not necessarily fully grown) blue whales today average 21.7米(71英尺), and about 65.5 tonnes (72 tons)[31] with the largest found being about 24.5米(80英尺).[70] A 26.5米(87英尺) female washed ashore near Pescadero, California in 1979.[71]

The weight of individual blue whales varies significantly according to fat condition. Antarctic blue whales gain 50% of their lean body weight in the summer feeding season, i.e. a blue whale entering the Antarctic weighing 100 tons would leave weighing 150 tons. Pregnant females probably gain 60–65%. The fattened weight is 120% the average weight and the lean weight is 80%.[39]

Scientists estimate that blue whales can live for at least 80 years,[34][62][72] but since individual records do not date back into the whaling era, this will not be known with certainty for many years. The longest recorded study of a single individual is 34 years, in the eastern North Pacific.[73]

The whales' only natural predator is the orca.[74] Studies report that as many as 25% of mature blue whales have scars resulting from orca attacks.[34] The mortality rate of such attacks is unknown.

Strandings

Blue whale strandings are extremely uncommon, and, because of the species' social structure, mass strandings are unheard of.[75] When strandings do occur, they can become the focus of public interest. In 1920, a blue whale washed up near Bragar on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It had been shot by whalers, but the harpoon had failed to explode. As with other mammals, the fundamental instinct of the whale was to try to carry on breathing at all costs, even though this meant beaching to prevent itself from drowning. Two of the whale's bones were erected just off a main road on Lewis and remain a tourist attraction.[76]

In June 2015, a female blue whale estimated at 12.2米(40英尺) and 20 tonnes (22 tons) was stranded on a beach in Maharashtra, India, the first live stranding in the region. Despite efforts by the Albaug forest department and local fishermen, the whale died 10 hours after being stranded.[77] In August 2009, a wounded blue whale was stranded in a bay in Steingrímsfjördur, Iceland. The first rescue attempt failed, as the whale (thought to be over 20 meters long) towed the >20 ton boat back to shore at speeds of up to 7英里每小時(11公里每小時). The whale was towed to sea after 7 hours by a stronger boat. It is unknown whether it survived.[78] In December 2015, a live blue whale thought to be over 20米(66英尺) long was rescued from a beach in Chile.[79] Another stranded blue whale, thought to be about 12.2米(40英尺) long, was rescued in India in February 2016.[80] Boats were used in all successful cases.

Vocalizations

Estimates made by Cummings and Thompson (1971) suggest the source level of sounds made by blue whales are between 155 and 188 decibels when measured relative to a reference pressure of one micropascal at one metre.[81][82] All blue whale groups make calls at a fundamental frequency between 10 and 40 Hz; the lowest frequency sound a human can typically perceive is 20 Hz. Blue whale calls last between ten and thirty seconds. Blue whales off the coast of Sri Lanka have been repeatedly recorded making "songs" of four notes, lasting about two minutes each, reminiscent of the well-known humpback whale songs. As this phenomenon has not been seen in any other populations, researchers believe it may be unique to the B. m. brevicauda (pygmy) subspecies. The loudest sustained noise from a blue whale was at 188 dB.[83]

The purpose of vocalization is unknown. Richardson et al. (1995) discuss six possible reasons:[84]

  1. Maintenance of inter-individual distance
  2. Species and individual recognition
  3. Contextual information transmission (for example feeding, alarm, courtship)
  4. Maintenance of social organization (for example contact calls between females and males)
  5. Location of topographic features
  6. Location of prey resources

Population and whaling

Hunting era

Blue whale populations have declined dramatically due to commercial whaling.
Blue whale skeleton at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, Ontario

Blue whales are not easy to catch or kill. Their speed and power meant that they were rarely pursued by early whalers, who instead targeted sperm and right whales.[85] In 1864, the Norwegian Svend Foyn equipped a steamboat with harpoons specifically designed for catching large whales.[4] The harpoon gun was initially cumbersome and had a low success rate, but Foyn perfected it, and soon several whaling stations were established on the coast of Finnmark in northern Norway. Because of disputes with the local fishermen, the last whaling station in Finnmark was closed down in 1904.

Soon, blue whales were being hunted off Iceland (1883), the Faroe Islands (1894), Newfoundland (1898), and Spitsbergen (1903). In 1904–05 the first blue whales were taken off South Georgia. By 1925, with the advent of the stern slipway in factory ships and the use of steam-driven whale catchers, the catch of blue whales, and baleen whales as a whole, in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic began to increase dramatically. In the 1930–31 season, these ships caught 29,400 blue whales in the Antarctic alone.[86] By the end of World War II, populations had been significantly depleted, and, in 1946, the first quotas restricting international trade in whales were introduced, but they were ineffective because of the lack of differentiation between species. Rare species could be hunted on an equal footing with those found in relative abundance.

Arthur C. Clarke, in his 1962 book Profiles of the Future, was the first prominent intellectual to call attention to the plight of the blue whale. He mentioned its large brain and said, "we do not know the true nature of the entity we are destroying."[87]

All of the historical coastal Asian groups were driven to near-extinction in short order by Japanese industrial hunts.[88] Those groups that once migrated along western Japan to the East China Sea were likely wiped out much earlier, as the last catches on Amami Oshima were between the 1910s and the 1930s,[89] and the last known stranding records on the Japanese archipelago, excluding the Ryukyu Islands, were over a half-century ago. Commercial catches were continued until 1965 and whaling stations targeting blues were mainly placed along the Hokkaido and Sanriku coasts.[88]

Blue whale hunting was banned in 1966 by the International Whaling Commission,[90][91] and illegal whaling by the Soviet Union finally halted in the 1970s,[92] by which time 330,000 blue whales had been caught in the Antarctic, 33,000 in the rest of the Southern Hemisphere, 8,200 in the North Pacific, and 7,000 in the North Atlantic. The largest original population, in the Antarctic, had been reduced to a mere 360 individuals, about 0.15% of their initial numbers.[11]

Population and distribution today

Since the introduction of the whaling ban, studies have examined whether the conservation reliant global blue whale population is increasing or remaining stable. In the Antarctic, best estimates show an increase of 7.3% per year since the end of illegal Soviet whaling, but numbers remain at under 1% of their original levels.[11] Recovery varies regionally, and the Eastern North Pacific blue whale population (historically a relatively small proportion of the global total) has rebounded to about 2,200 individuals, an estimated 97% of its pre-hunting population.[93]

The total world population was estimated to be between 5,000 and 12,000 in 2002; there are high levels of uncertainty in available estimates for many areas.[5] A more recent estimate by the IUCN puts the global population at 10,000–25,000.[10]

The IUCN Red List counts the blue whale as "endangered", as it has since the list's inception. In the United States, the National Marine Fisheries Service lists them as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.[94] The largest known concentration, consisting of about 2,800 individuals, is the northeast Pacific population of the northern blue whale (B. m. musculus) subspecies that ranges from Alaska to Costa Rica, but is most commonly seen from California in summer.[95] Infrequently, this population visits the northwest Pacific between Kamchatka and the northern tip of Japan.

North Atlantic

A blue whale set against the backdrop of the Azores

In the North Atlantic, two stocks of B. m. musculus are recognised. The first is found off Greenland, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. This group is estimated to total about 500. The second, more easterly group is spotted from the Azores in spring to Iceland in July and August; it is presumed the whales follow the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between the two volcanic islands. Beyond Iceland, blue whales have been spotted as far north as Spitsbergen and Jan Mayen, though such sightings are rare. Scientists do not know where these whales spend their winters. The total North Atlantic population is estimated to be between 600 and 1,500. Off Ireland, the first confirmed sightings were made in 2008,[96] since then Porcupine Seabight has been regarded as a prominent habitat for the species along with fin whales. One was sighted along Galicia, Spain, in 2017.[97]

Occasionally blue whales get lost in the Baltic Sea. The remnants of two blue whales have been identified in Finland.[98] One 19-meter skeleton was found on the bottom of the Gulf of Finland during the construction of Nord Stream pipeline.[99] The vertebrae of a second individual were recovered from a field near Pori on the coast of the Bothnian Sea in 1942 and identified in the Copenhagen Zoological Museum by Magnus Degerbøl.[98] Radiocarbon dating revealed the former had wondered into the Littorina Sea over 7000 years ago and perished, while the latter bones were shown to be 800–900 years old.[100]

North Pacific

A blue whale's tail fluke with the Santa Barbara Channel Islands in the background

Five or more subpopulations have been suggested, and several of these mainly in the western North Pacific have been considered either functionally or virtually extinct.[101] Of the populations that once existed off coastal Japan, the last recorded confirmed stranding was in the 1910s.[102] Today, call types suggest only two populations in the North Pacific.[7] Some scientists regard that historical populations off Japan were driven to extinction by whaling activities, mostly from the Kumanonada Sea off Wakayama, in the Gulf of Tosa, and in the Sea of Hyūga. Nowadays, possible vagrants from either eastern or offshore populations are observed on very rare occasions off Kushiro.[103] There were also small, but constant catch records around the Korean Peninsula and in the coastal waters of the Sea of Japan; this species is normally considered not to frequent into marginal seas, such as the Sea of Okhotsk, on usual migrations. Whales were known to migrate further north to eastern Kamchatka, the Gulf of Anadyr, off Abashiri or the southern Sea of Okhotsk,[104] and the Commander Islands. Only three sightings were made between 1994 and 2004 in Russia[105] with one sighted off east coast of the peninsula in 2009,[106] and the last known occurrence in the eastern Sea of Okhotsk was in 1948.[107] In addition, whales have not been confirmed off the Commander Islands for over past 80 years.[108] In 2017, 13 or more whales were observed off Kamchatka and Commander Islands.[109][110][106] Historically, wintering grounds existed off the Hawaiian Archipelago, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Bonin Islands and Ryukyu Islands, the Philippines, Taiwan, the Zhoushan Archipelago, and the South China Sea[111] such as in Daya Bay, off the Leizhou Peninsula, and off Hainan Island, and further south to the Paracel Islands.[112] A stranding was recorded in Wanning in 2005.[113] One whale was sighted off Weizhou Island in 2017.[114] For further status in Chinese and Korean waters, see Wildlife of China.

As of 2014, the eastern North Pacific blue whale population had rebounded to an estimated 2,200 individuals, which is thought to be about 97% of its pre-whaling numbers.[12]

Southern Hemisphere and vicinity to Northern Indian Ocean

Blue whale in Antarctica

In the Southern Hemisphere, there appear to be two distinct subspecies, B. m. intermedia, the Antarctic blue whale, and the little-studied pygmy blue whale, B. m. brevicauda, found in Indian Ocean waters. The most recent surveys (midpoint 1998) provided an estimate of 2,280 blue whales in the Antarctic[115] (of which fewer than 1% are likely to be pygmy blue whales).[116] Estimates from a 1996 survey show that 424 pygmy blue whales were in a small area south of Madagascar (the Madagascar Plateau)[117] alone,[118] thus it is likely that numbers in the entire Indian Ocean are in the thousands. If this is true, the global numbers would be much higher than estimates predict.[119] However, slower reproduction rate of the species, along with the impacts of whaling, may affect population recoveries as the total population size is predicted to be at less than 50% of its pre-whaling state by 2100.[120]

Several congregating grounds are recently confirmed in Oceania, such as Perth Canyon off Rottnest Island, the Great Australian Bight off Portland, and in South Taranaki Bight and off Kahurangi Point[121] which was discovered just in 2007 and was confirmed in 2014, representing possibly a unique population based on haplotypes.[122][123] Southern blue and pygmy blue females use waters off Western Australia, and coastal areas of eastern North Island of New Zealand, from Northland waters such as the Bay of Islands and Hauraki Gulf to the Bay of Plenty in the south, as breeding and calving grounds. Whales off southern and western Australia are known to migrate into tropical coastal waters in Indonesia,[124] Philippines,[125] and off East Timor.[126] (Animals in the Philippines may or may not originate from North Pacific populations or from a pygmy blue population in the northern Indian Ocean as whales regularly appear off Bohol,[127] north of the Equator.[128][129]) At least on occasions, whales also migrate through remote islands such as Cook Islands,[130][131][132] and Chilean pelagic waters adjacent to Easter Island and Isla Salas y Gómez, where possibilities of undiscovered wintering grounds have been considered.[133]

Blue whales also migrate through western African waters such as off Angola[134][135] and Mauritania,[136] and at least whales around Iceland are known to migrate to Mauritania.[137]

Subspecies' distribution

A pygmy blue whale off Sri Lanka

A fourth subspecies, B. m. indica, was identified by Blyth in 1859 in the northern Indian Ocean, but is now thought to be the same subspecies as B. m. brevicauda, the pygmy blue whale. Records for Soviet catches seem to indicate that the female adult size is closer to that of the pygmy blue than B. m. musculus; the populations of B. m. indica and B. m. brevicauda appear to be discrete, and the breeding seasons differ by almost six months.[138] Along mainland Indian coasts, appearances of whales had been scarce excluding unconfirmed record(s),[139] the first blue whale since after the last stranding record in Maharashtra in 1914, was sighted off Kunkeshwar along with several Bryde's whales in May 2015.[140][141][142]

Migratory patterns of these subspecies are not well known. For example, pygmy blue whales have been recorded in the northern Indian Ocean (Oman, Maldives and Sri Lanka),[143] where they may form a distinct resident population.[138] Furthermore, sightings have been recorded from elsewhere in and adjacent to Arabian Sea, including from Gulf of Aden, Persian Gulf, coasts of Bay of Bengal including Bangladesh to Myanmar, and within the Strait of Malacca.[144][145] The first official confirmation within Thailand's EEZ occurred at Trang in 2013.[146]

In addition, the population of blue whales occurring off Chile and Peru may also be a distinct subspecies. Some Antarctic blue whales approach the eastern South Atlantic coast in winter, and occasionally, their vocalizations are heard off Peru, Western Australia, and in the northern Indian Ocean.[138] In Chile, the Cetacean Conservation Center, with support from the Chilean Navy, is undertaking extensive research and conservation work on a recently discovered feeding aggregation of the species off the coast of Chiloe Island in the Gulf of Corcovado (Chiloé National Park), where 326 blue whales were spotted in 2007.[147] In this regions, it is normal for blue whales to enter Fiords. Whales also reach southern Los Lagos, such as off Caleta Zorra, live along with other rorquals.

Efforts to calculate the blue whale population more accurately are supported by marine mammologists at Duke University, who maintain the Ocean Biogeographic Information System—Spatial Ecological Analysis of Megavertebrate Populations (OBIS-SEAMAP), a collation of marine mammal sighting data from around 130 sources.[148]

Threats other than hunting

A blue whale surfaces
Blue whales stop producing foraging D calls once a mid-frequency sonar is activated, even though the sonar frequency range (1–8 kHz) far exceeds their sound production range (25–100 Hz).[149]

Due to their enormous size, power and speed, adult blue whales have virtually no natural predators. There is one documented case in National Geographic Magazine of a blue whale being attacked by orcas off the Baja California Peninsula; the orcas were unable to kill the animal outright during their attack, but the blue whale sustained serious wounds and probably died as a result of them shortly after the attack.[150] In March 2014, a pack of orcas harassed a blue whale off California, with one of them biting the tip of the blue whale's tail fluke. The blue whale attempted to tail slap the orca and fled at high speed.[151] A similar incident happened on May 18, 2017 in Monterey Bay, with the orcas swimming in a line up to the blue whale's side. The blue whale fled and escaped. Orcas have virtually no chance against an adult blue whale, but may attack them on occasion anyway for their own enjoyment.[152] Up to a quarter of the blue whales identified in Baja bear scars from orca attacks.[7]

Blue whales may be wounded, sometimes fatally, after colliding with ocean vessels, as well as becoming trapped or entangled in fishing gear.[153] Ship strikes in particular have killed many blue whales in California.[154] In September 2007, three dead blue whales washed up in southern California after being killed by ship strikes.[7] A similar incident occurred in northern California in 2017, possibly also 2010.[155][156] Ship strikes are also a serious problem in Sri Lanka, and scientists believe this problem could be nearly eliminated by moving the shipping lanes 15 nautical miles to the south.[157] The ever-increasing amount of ocean noise, including sonar, drowns out the vocalizations produced by whales, which makes it harder for them to communicate.[149][153] Blue whales stop producing foraging D calls once a mid-frequency sonar is activated, even though the sonar frequency range (1–8 kHz) far exceeds their sound production range (25–100 Hz).[149] Research on blue whales in the Southern California Bight has shown that mid-frequency sonar use interferes with foraging behavior, sometimes causing the whales to abandon their feeding.[158] Human threats to the potential recovery of blue whale populations also include accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) chemicals within the whale's body.[9]

With global warming causing glaciers and permafrost to melt rapidly and allowing a large amount of fresh water to flow into the oceans, there are concerns that if the amount of fresh water in the oceans reaches a critical point, there will be a disruption in the thermohaline circulation.[159] Considering the blue whale's migratory patterns are based on ocean temperature, a disruption in this circulation, which moves warm and cold water around the world, would be likely to have an effect on their migration.[160] The whales summer in the cool, high latitudes, where they feed in krill-abundant waters; they winter in warmer, low latitudes, where they mate and give birth.[161]

The change in ocean temperature would also affect the blue whale's food supply. The warming trend and decreased salinity levels would cause a significant shift in krill location and abundance.[162]

In popular culture

Before modern whaling began in the late 19th century, blue whales were obscure and very poorly understood. They, along with other large whales were mythologized and indistinguishable from sea monsters. Even after the first specimens were described, the blue whale went by many names and scientists often described their specimens as new species. Descriptions and illustrations were inaccurate. The taxonomy was eventually resolved, but many mysteries remained.[7][35]

The blue whale rose from relative obscurity in the 1970s, after the release of the Songs of the Humpback Whale. The difference between the humpback and the blue whale was not well known to most people, who conflated the species in their minds. To many listeners, the haunting songs seemed like a cry for help. Environmentalists developed the image of a lonely blue whale singing out in an empty ocean, since whalers had nearly hunted the species to extinction.[7]

Today, the blue whale is renowned for being the largest animal ever to have lived. In part because of its legendary status, many misconceptions still exist. For example, its size is often exaggerated. Many popular sources give the maximum length as 110英尺(34米) or more. While such lengths were reported in the whaling records, they were not scientifically verified and were probably exaggerated. Virtually all books and articles that mention the blue whale claim that it can reach 100英尺(30米). This is probably true (the largest verified specimen was 30米, 98英尺[5] but is highly misleading as the average size is much smaller.[7][163]

The global population was reduced by more than 99% during the 20th century.[164] Most of this was in the Antarctic, which had been reduced to 360 individuals or about 0.15% of their original numbers; other populations were not as badly depleted. The Antarctic blue whale population is growing at the relatively rapid rate of about 7.3% per year, but it was hunted to such a low level that it remains at a tiny fraction of pre-whaling numbers.[11] The global population still requires protection, but it is not in immediate danger of extinction.[7]

Other myths and misconceptions include that the blue whale's arteries can be swum through, that the heartbeat can be heard from 19 miles away, and that the blue whale penis is 16 feet long.[7]

Museums

The blue whale skeleton in the Natural History Museum, London

The Natural History Museum in London contains a famous mounted skeleton and life-size model of a blue whale, which were both the first of their kind in the world, but have since been replicated at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Similarly, the American Museum of Natural History in New York City has a full-size model in its Milstein Family Hall of Ocean Life. A juvenile blue whale skeleton named KOBO is installed at the New Bedford Whaling Museum in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

The Exhibition Lab's blue whale at the American Museum of Natural History

The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, features a life-size model of a mother blue whale with her calf suspended from the ceiling of its main hall.[165] The Beaty Biodiversity Museum at the University of British Columbia, Canada, houses a display of a blue whale skeleton (skull is cast replica) directly on the main campus boulevard.[166] A real skeleton of a blue whale at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa was also unveiled in May 2010.[167] The Royal Ontario Museum obtained a blue whale, which died in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2014, and began an exhibition in 2016 to display its skeleton in Toronto.[168]

The Museum of Natural History in Gothenburg, Sweden, contains the only stuffed blue whale in the world, with its skeleton mounted beside it. Two skeletons are held in Ukraine: in Odessa and Kherson.[169]

Blue whale skeleton, outside the Long Marine Laboratory at the University of California, Santa Cruz

The Melbourne Museum and Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa[170] both feature a skeleton of the pygmy blue whale. The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh, North Carolina, has a mounted skeleton of a blue whale.

The South African Museum in Cape Town features a hall devoted to whales and natural history known as the Whale Well. The centrepiece of the exhibit is a suspended mounted blue whale skeleton, from the carcass of a partially mature specimen that washed ashore in the mid 1980s. The skeleton's jaw bones are mounted on the floor of Whale Well to permit visitors direct contact with them, and to walk between them so as to appreciate the size of the animal. Other mounted skeletons include that of a humpback whale and a right whale, together with in-scale composite models of other whales, dolphins and porpoises.

The Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park displays a life-sized model of a blue whale in the front. Several other institutions such as Tokai University and Taiji Whale Museum hold skeletons or skeleton models of Pygmy blue whales, while several churches and buildings in western Japan including Nagasaki Prefecture display the jawbone of captured animals as a gate.

Whale-watching

Blue whales may be encountered (but rarely) on whale-watching cruises in the Gulf of Maine[171] and are the main attractions along the north shore of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and in the Saint Lawrence estuary.[153] Blue whales can also be seen off Southern California, starting as early as March and April, with the peak between July and September.[172] More whales have been observed close to shore along with fin whales.

In Chile, the Alfaguara project combines conservation measures for the population of blue whales feeding off Chiloé Island with whale watching and other ecotourism activities that bring economic benefits to the local people.[173] Whale-watching, principally blue whales, is also carried out south of Sri Lanka.[174] Whales are widely seen along the coast of Chile and Peru near the coast, occasionally making mixed groups with fin, sei, and Bryde's whales.

In Australia, pygmy blue and Antarctic blue whales have been observed from various tours in almost all the coastlines of the continent. Among these, tours with sightings likely the highest rate are on west coast such as in Geographe Bay[175] and in southern bight off Portland. For later, special tours to observe pygmy blues by helicopters are organized.[176]

In New Zealand, whales have been seen in many areas close to shore, most notably around the Northland coast, in the Hauraki Gulf and the Bay of Plenty.[177]

See also

References

  1. ^ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Template:MSW3 Mead
  2. ^ Fossilworks Dataway. Fossilworks Gateway to Paleontology. [2018-04-20]. 
  3. ^ Reilly, S.B.; Bannister, J.L.; Best, P.B.; Brown, M.; Brownell Jr., R.L.; Butterworth, D.S.; Clapham, P.J.; Cooke, J.; Donovan, G.P.; Urbán, J. & Zerbini, A.N. Balaenoptera musculus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN). 2008, 2008: e.T2477A9447146 [27 December 2017]. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T2477A9447146.en. 
  4. ^ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 American Cetacean Society Fact Sheet – Blue Whales. [20 June 2007]. (原始内容存档于11 July 2007). 
  5. ^ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Assessment and Update Status Report on the Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus (PDF). Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 2002 [19 April 2007]. 
  6. ^ 6.0 6.1 Paul, Gregory S. The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs Second. Princeton University Press. 25 October 2016: 19. ISBN 978-1-4008-8314-1. 
  7. ^ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 Bortolotti, Dan. Wild Blue: A Natural History of the World's Largest Animal. St. Martin's Press. 14 October 2008. ISBN 978-1-4299-8777-6. 
  8. ^ Species Fact Sheets: Balaenoptera musculus (Linnaeus, 1758). Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations. [24 December 2012]. 
  9. ^ 9.0 9.1 9.2 de Koning, Jason; Wild, Geoff. Contaminant analysis of organochlorines in blubber biopsies from blue whales in the St. Lawrence Seaway. Trent University. 1997 [29 June 2007]. 
  10. ^ 10.0 10.1 IUCN Red List Retrieved 21 June 2016
  11. ^ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Branch, T. A.; Matsuoka, K.; Miyashita, T. Evidence for increases in Antarctic blue whales based on Bayesian modelling. Marine Mammal Science. 2004, 20 (4): 726–754. doi:10.1111/j.1748-7692.2004.tb01190.x. 
  12. ^ 12.0 12.1 California Blue Whales Bounce Back From Whaling. 
  13. ^ http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/4/eaap9873.full
  14. ^ Jones, Mary Lou; Swartz, Steven L. The Gray whale: Eschrichtius robustus. Academic Press. 28 October 1984. ISBN 978-0-12-389180-8. 
  15. ^ Arnason, U.; Gullberg A.; Widegren, B. Cetacean mitochondrial DNA control region: sequences of all extant baleen whales and two sperm whale species. Molecular Biology and Evolution. 1 September 1993, 10 (5): 960–970 [25 January 2009]. PMID 8412655. 
  16. ^ Sasaki, T.; et al. Mitochondrial phylogenetics and evolution of mysticete whales. Systematic Biology. 4 March 2011, 54 (1): 77–90. PMID 15805012. doi:10.1080/10635150590905939. 
  17. ^ Arnason, A.; Gullberg, A. Comparison between the complete mtDNA sequences of the blue and fin whale, two species that can hybridize in nature. Journal of Molecular Evolution. 1993, 37 (4): 312–322. PMID 8308901. 
  18. ^ Amazing Whale Facts Archive 互联网档案馆存檔,存档日期17 March 2009.. Whale Center of New England (WCNE). Retrieved on 27 February 2008.
  19. ^ Palumbi, S.R.; Cipriano, F. Species Identification Using Genetic Tools: The Value of Nuclear and Mitochondrial Gene Sequences in Whale Conservation (PDF). Journal of Heredity. 1998, 89 (5): 459–464. PMID 9768497. doi:10.1093/jhered/89.5.459. 
  20. ^ Ogino M. (2005)『クジラの死体はかく語る』, Kodansha
  21. ^ Simpson, D. P. Cassell's Latin dictionary: Latin-English, English-Latin. Cassell. 1968. ISBN 978-0-02-522570-1. 
  22. ^ Linnaeus, C. Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I Editio decima, reformata. Holmiae: Laurentii Salvii. 1758: 824 (拉丁语). 
  23. ^ Blue Whale Fact Sheet. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. [29 June 2007]. (原始内容存档于30 September 2007).  已忽略未知参数|df= (帮助)
  24. ^ Ichihara T. (1966). The pygmy blue whale B. m. brevicauda, a new subspecies from the Antarctic in Whales, dolphins and porpoises Page(s) 79–113.
  25. ^ "Hunting not to blame for pygmy blue whale's tiny gene pool"
  26. ^ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 Size and Description of the Blue Whale Species. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. [15 June 2007]. (原始内容存档于1 October 2007). 
  27. ^ 27.0 27.1 Mackintosh, N. A.; Wheeler, J. F. G. Southern blue and fin whales. Discovery Reports. 1929, I: 259–540. 
  28. ^ "Migratory Movements of Pygmy Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) between Australia and Indonesia as Revealed by Satellite Telemetry" by Michael C. Double, Virginia Andrews-Goff, K. Curt S. Jenner, Micheline-Nicole Jenner, Sarah M. Laverick, Trevor A. Branch, Nicholas J. Gales Published: April 9, 2014 http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0093578
  29. ^ "A week in the life of a pygmy blue whale: migratory dive depth overlaps with large vessel drafts" by Kylie Owen, Curt S. Jenner, Micheline-Nicole M. Jenner and Russel D. Andrews 2016 https://animalbiotelemetry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40317-016-0109-4
  30. ^ 30.0 30.1 Masaharu Nishiwaki 1950 "On the Body Weight of Whales" http://www.icrwhale.org/pdf/SC004184-209.pdf
  31. ^ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 31.4 31.5 31.6 Lockyer 1976 "Body Weights of some Species of Large Whales" https://www.researchgate.net/publication/240590693_Body_weight_of_some_species_of_large_whales
  32. ^ Perrin, William F.; Wursig, Bernd; Thewissen, J.G.M. 'Hans' (编). Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. Academic Press. 26 February 2009: 120. ISBN 978-0-08-091993-5. 
  33. ^ Wood, Gerald L. The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats. Guinness Superlatives. 1982. ISBN 978-0-85112-235-9. 
  34. ^ 34.0 34.1 34.2 Sears R, Calambokidis J. Update COSEWIC status report on the blue whale Balaenoptera musculus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Ottawa.: 32. 2002. 
  35. ^ 35.0 35.1 35.2 George L. Small "The Blue Whale" 1971, Columbia University Press
  36. ^ Mackintosh, N. A. The southern stocks of whalebone whales. Discovery Reports. 1943, XXII: 199–300. 
  37. ^ Capelotti, P.J. (ed.), Quentin R. Walsh. 2010. The Whaling Expedition of the Ulysses, 1937–38, p. 28.
  38. ^ Nishiwaki, Masaharu; Hayashi, Kazoo, Biological Survey of Fin and Blue Whales taken in 1947–1948 by the Japanese Fleet (PDF), 1948 
  39. ^ 39.0 39.1 39.2 Lockyer, C. Growth and Energy Budgets of Large Baleen Whales from the Southern Hemisphere. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Working Party on Marine Mammals (编). Mammals in the Seas: General papers and large cetaceans. Food & Agriculture Org. 1978: 503–. ISBN 978-92-5-100513-2. 
  40. ^ Jean Potvin, Jeremy A. Goldbogen, Robert E. Chadwick "Metabolic Expenditures of Lunge Feeding Rorquals Across Scale: Implications for the Evolution of Filter Feeding and the Limits to Maximum Body Size" http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0044854
  41. ^ The Scientific Monthly. American Association for the Advancement of Science. 1915: 21. 
  42. ^ Blue Planet: Frozen seas (BBC documentary)
  43. ^ Zoe Gough. BBC – Earth – See the world's biggest heart. 
  44. ^ Tinker, Whales of the World (1988, p. 76).
  45. ^ Reproduction. University of Wisconsin. [3 October 2012]. 
  46. ^ Longest animal penis:
    the longest penis belongs to the blue whale at up to 2.4 m (8 ft).
  47. ^ Long, John A. The Dawn of the Deed: The Prehistoric Origins of Sex. University of Chicago Press. 11 October 2012: 24 [3 October 2012]. ISBN 978-0-226-49254-4. 
  48. ^ 48.0 48.1 Detailed Information about Blue Whales. Alaska Fisheries Science Center. 2004 [14 June 2007]. 
  49. ^ Hjort J, Ruud JT. Whaling and fishing in the North Atlantic. Rapp. Proc. Verb. Conseil int. Explor. Mer. 1929, 56. 
  50. ^ Christensen I, Haug T, Øien N. A review of feeding and reproduction in large baleen whales (Mysticeti) and sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus in Norwegian and adjacent waters. Fauna Norvegica Series a. 1992, 13: 39–48. 
  51. ^ Sears R, Wenzel FW, Williamson JM. The Blue Whale: A Catalogue of Individuals from the Western North Atlantic (Gulf of St. Lawrence). Mingan Island Cetacean Study, St. Lambert, Quebec. 1987: 27. 
  52. ^ Sears, R. The Cortez blues. Whalewatcher. 1990, 24 (2): 12–15. 
  53. ^ Kawamura, A. A review of food of balaenopterid whales. Scientific Reports of the Whales Research Institute. 1980, 32: 155–197. 
  54. ^ Yochem PK, Leatherwood S. Blue whale Balaenoptera musculus (Linnaeus, 1758). Ridgway SH, Harrison R (编). Handbook of Marine Mammals, Vol. 3:The Sirenians and Baleen Whales.. London: Academic Press. 1980: 193–240. 
  55. ^ Blue whale. WWF. [11 March 2014]. 
  56. ^ Piper, Ross (2007), Extraordinary Animals: An Encyclopedia of Curious and Unusual Animals, Greenwood Press.
  57. ^ Michael Marshall. Blue whale feeding methods are ultra-efficient. New Scientist. December 2010. 
  58. ^ Andy Coghlan. Migrating blue whales rediscover 'forgotten' waters. New Scientist. May 2009. 
  59. ^ J. A. Goldbogen; J. Calambokidis; E. Oleson; J. Potvin; N. D. Pyenson; G. Schorr & R. E. Shadwick. Mechanics, hydrodynamics and energetics of blue whale lunge feeding: efficiency dependence on krill density. Journal of Experimental Biology. 2011, 214: 131–146. PMID 21147977. doi:10.1242/jeb.048157. 
  60. ^ Nemoto T. Foods of baleen whales in the northern Pacific. Sci. Rep. Whales Res. Inst. 1957, 12: 33–89. 
  61. ^ Nemoto T, Kawamura A. Characteristics of food habits and distribution of baleen whales with special reference to the abundance of North Pacific sei and Bryde's whales. Rep. Int. Whal. Commn. 1977, 1 (Special Issue): 80–87. 
  62. ^ 62.0 62.1 62.2 Blue Whale – ArticleWorld. [2 July 2007]. 
  63. ^ Blogger, Guest. The Power and Beauty of Two Blue Whales Racing. 3 February 2016. 
  64. ^ Olav T. Oftedal1 (1997). Lactation in Whales and Dolphins: Evidence of Divergence Between Baleen- and Toothed-Species. pg 224
  65. ^ Brian Clark Howard. Exclusive Video May Be First to Show Blue Whale Calf Nursing. National Geographic News. 2 March 2016 [5 March 2016]. 
  66. ^ 66.0 66.1 Klinowska, Margaret; Resources, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural. Dolphins, Porpoises and Whales of the World: The IUCN Red Data Book. IUCN. 1991. ISBN 978-2-88032-936-5. 
  67. ^ 67.0 67.1 Evans, Peter G. H. (1987). The Natural History of Whales and Dolphins. Facts on File.
  68. ^ T.A. Branch "Estimating Historical Eastern North Pacific Blue Whale Catches Using Spatial Calling Patterns"http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0098974
  69. ^ T.A. Branch "Biological Parameters for Pygmy Blue Whales"
  70. ^ Gilpatrick, James W.; Perryman, Wayne L. Geographic variation in external morphology of North Pacific and Southern Hemisphere blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus)".. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 2008, 10 (1): 9–21. 
  71. ^ Blue whale skeleton at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab (PDF). Seymour Marine Discovery Center. [31 July 2016]. 
  72. ^ Blue Whale. National Parks Conservation Association. [21 June 2007]. (原始内容存档于29 March 2012). 
  73. ^ (Sears 1998)
  74. ^ J. Calambokidis; G. H. Steiger; J. C. Cubbage; K. C. Balcomb; C. Ewald; S. Kruse; R. Wells & R. Sears. Sightings and movements of blue whales off central California from 1986–88 from photo-identification of individuals. Rep. Whal. Comm. 1990, 12: 343–348. 
  75. ^ William Perrin and Joseph Geraci. "Stranding" pp 1192–1197 in Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals (Perrin, Wursig and Thewissen eds)
  76. ^ The Whale Bone Arch. Places to Visit around the Isle of Lewis. [18 May 2005]. (原始内容存档于5 November 2014).  已忽略未知参数|df= (帮助)
  77. ^ Blue whale dies after being stranded on land for ten long hours. 26 June 2015. 
  78. ^ Review, Iceland. Beached Blue Whale Rescued in Iceland’s West Fjords. 4 August 2009. 
  79. ^ Huge beached blue whale saved by fishermen off Chile coast. 
  80. ^ In pics: 40-feet blue whale rescued at Ratnagiri. 4 February 2016. 
  81. ^ W.C. Cummings & P.O. Thompson. Underwater sounds from the blue whale Balaenoptera musculus. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 1971, 50 (4): 1193–1198. Bibcode:1971ASAJ...50.1193C. doi:10.1121/1.1912752. 
  82. ^ Richardson, W. John; Thomson, Denis H. Marine Mammals and Noise. Gulf Professional Publishing. June 1998. ISBN 978-0-12-588441-9. 
  83. ^ Cummings, William C.; Thompson, Paul O. Underwater Sounds from the Blue Whale, Balaenoptera musculus. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 1971-10-01, 50 (4B): 1193–1198. Bibcode:1971ASAJ...50.1193C. ISSN 0001-4966. doi:10.1121/1.1912752. 
  84. ^ National Marine Fisheries Service. Endangered Species Act – Section 7 Consultation Biological Opinion (PDF). 2002. (原始内容 (PDF)存档于6 September 2005). 
  85. ^ Scammon, Charles Melville. The Marine Mammals of the Northwestern Coast of North America: Together with an Account of the American Whale-fishery. Heyday. 1874: 319. ISBN 978-1-59714-061-4. 
  86. ^ Gillespie, Alexander. Whaling Diplomacy: Defining Issues in International Environmental Law. Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. 2005: 23. 
  87. ^ Clarke, Arthur C. Profiles of the Future; an Inquiry into the Limits of the Possible. New York: Harper & Row, 1962
  88. ^ 88.0 88.1 シャチ Orcinus orca (Limaeus,1758)マイルカ科. 海域自然環境保全基礎調査 – 海棲動物調査報告書 (PDF). 自然環境保全基礎調査. Nature Conservation Bureau of Ministry of the Environment (Japan). 1998: 54 [16 January 2015]. 
  89. ^ Miyazaki N.; Nakayama K. Records of Cetaceans in the Waters of the Amami Island (PDF). 国立科学博物館専報. CiNii. National Museum of Nature and Science, Museum of History and Folklore in Kasari: 235–249. 1989 [16 January 2015].  参数|journal=与模板{{cite web}}不匹配(建议改用{{cite journal}}|website=) (帮助); |volume=被忽略 (帮助)
  90. ^ Gambell, R. The blue whale. Biologist. 1979, 26: 209–215. 
  91. ^ Best, PB. Increase rates in severely depleted stocks of baleen whales. ICES Journal of Marine Science. 1993, 50 (2): 169–186. doi:10.1006/jmsc.1993.1018. 
  92. ^ Yablokov, AV. Validity of whaling data. Nature. 1994, 367 (6459): 108. Bibcode:1994Natur.367..108Y. doi:10.1038/367108a0. 
  93. ^ Hines, Sandra (5 September 2014) "California blue whales rebound from whaling; first of their kin to do so", University of Washington
  94. ^ Endangered Species Act. 
  95. ^ Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus): Eastern North Pacific Stock (NOAA Stock Reports, 2009), p. 178.
  96. ^ Powell Ettinger. Wildlife Extra News – Blue whales sighted off Irish coast. 
  97. ^ Rey M. 2017. Confirman o avistamento “histórico” da balea azul na ría de Muros e Noia. GCiencia. Retrieved on September 14, 2017
  98. ^ 98.0 98.1 Korteniemi, Jarmo. Suomalaisen sinivalaan tarina. www.tiedetuubi.fi. March 13, 2018 [2018-03-14] (芬兰语). 
  99. ^ Jättiläisen jäljillä. Tiede. 2011-02-08 [2018-03-14] (芬兰语). 
  100. ^ Ukkonen, Pirkko; Mannermaa, Kristiina. Jääkauden jälkeläiset - Suomen lintujen ja nisäkkäiden varhainen historia. Helsinki, Finland: Museovirasto. 2017: 230. ISBN 978-951-616-281-5. 
  101. ^ Thomas, Peter; Reeves, Randall R; Brownell Jr, Robert L. Status of the world's baleen whales. Marine Mammal Science. 2015 [16 December 2015]. doi:10.1111/mms.12281. 
  102. ^ Yamada T.; Watanabe Y. Marine Mammals Stranding DataBase – Blue Whale. National Museum of Nature and Science. [23 September 2017]. 
  103. ^ Kurosawa K. 釧路沖のシロナガスクジラ. 2009 [6 January 2015]. 
  104. ^ Uni Y.,2006 Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises off Shiretoko. Bulletin of the Shiretoko Museum 27: pp.37–46. Retrieved on 16 December 2015
  105. ^ Chernyagina A.A.; Burdin A.M.; Artyuhin Y.B.; Danilin D.D.; Lobkova L.E.; Tokranov A.M.; Artyuhin Y.B.; Gerasimov N.; Lobkov E.G.; Zagrebelnyi S.V.; Nicanor A.P.; Fil V.I.; Shulezhko T.S.; Chernyagina O.A.; Gimelbrant D.E.; Kirichenko V.E.; Selivanov O. Справочник-определитель редких и охраняемых видов живот- ных и растений Камчатского края (PDF). Kamchatka Branch FGBUN Pacific Institute of Geography, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky: Kamchatpress. 2013 [9 June 2014]. ISBN 978-5-9610-0216-4. 
  106. ^ 106.0 106.1 2017. В акватории Камчатки встречены синие киты!. Retrieved on August 21, 2017
  107. ^ Review of Cetacean Distribution and Occurrence off the Western Coast of Kamchatka, eastern Okhotsk Sea. ResearchGate. 
  108. ^ Mamaev E. The fauna of marine mammals of Commander Islands: investigations and modern status (PDF). Marine Mammals of the Holarctic Collection of Scientific Papers Volume 2 – After the Seventh International Conference Suzdal, Russia, September 24–28, 2012 (State Nature Biosphere Reserve ―Komandorskiy, The Marine Mammal Council). 2012: 50–54 [20 January 2015]. 
  109. ^ The Heritage Expedition. 2017. Whalewatcher's delight in Kamchatka. Retrieved on August 21, 2017
  110. ^ The Heritage Expedition. 2017. Incredible Whale watching again. Retrieved on August 21, 2017
  111. ^ Identification Guide for Marine Mammals In the South China Sea. The Sanya Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering at The Chinese Academy Of Sciences. [19 January 2015]. 
  112. ^ 黄晖; 董志军; 练健生. 论西沙群岛珊瑚礁生态系统自然保护区的建立. 热 带 地 理 – TROPICAL GEOGRAPHY. November 2008, 28 (6) [7 January 2015]. (原始内容存档于3 March 2016).  已忽略未知参数|df= (帮助)
  113. ^ 鲸豚搁浅事件列表. The Sanya Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering at The Chinese Academy Of Sciences. [19 January 2015]. (原始内容存档于19 January 2015). 
  114. ^ 超近距离接触!涠洲岛有游客近距离看到鲸鱼出水,伸手就能摸到-北海时事开讲-北海365网(beihai365.com). www.beihai365.com. 
  115. ^ Branch, T.A. Abundance of Antarctic blue whales south of 60°S from three complete circumpolar sets of surveys. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management. 2007, 9 (3): 87–96. 
  116. ^ Branch, T.A.; Abubaker, E. M. N.; Mkango, S.; Butterworth, D. S. Separating southern blue whale subspecies based on length frequencies of sexually mature females. Marine Mammal Science. 2007, 23 (4): 803–833. doi:10.1111/j.1748-7692.2007.00137.x. 
  117. ^ WCS Madagascar – Blue Whale
  118. ^ P. B. Best; et al. The abundance of blue whales on the Madagascar Plateau, December 1996. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (IWC). 2003, 5 (3): 253–260 [31 July 2016]. 
  119. ^ Kirby, Alex. Science seeks clues to pygmy whale. BBC News Online. 19 June 2003 [21 April 2006]. 
  120. ^ CSIRO. 2017. Post-whaling recovery of Southern Hemisphere. Phys.org. Retrieved on August 22, 2017
  121. ^ Torres, G. L. Evidence for an unrecognised blue whale foraging ground in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research. 2013, 47 (2): 235–248. doi:10.1080/00288330.2013.773919. 
  122. ^ Torres P., Klinck H., et al. (2016). Blue whale ecology in the South Taranaki Bight region of New Zealand – January-February 2016 Field Report 互联网档案馆存檔,存档日期3 March 2017. (pdf). Retrieved on March 03, 2017
  123. ^ Harper L.. 2014. Blue whale dine out off Taranaki in their dozens. Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved on March 02, 2017
  124. ^ Sail World – The World's largest sailing news network: Sail and sailing, cruising, boating news. Sail-World.com. (原始内容存档于26 April 2014). 
  125. ^ 24oras: Blue whale, namataan sa Bohol – 24 Oras – GMA News Online. GMA News Online. 
  126. ^ Global whale hot spot discovered off East Timor. Reuters. 
  127. ^ Sciency Thoughts: Satellite tracking Pygmy Blue Whales.. 
  128. ^ Archived copy. [26 April 2014]. (原始内容存档于27 April 2014). 
  129. ^ Large Marine Vertebrates Project Philippines. Media. [14 May 2015]. (原始内容存档于18 May 2015). 
  130. ^ Cook Islands Biodiversity : Balaenoptera musculus – Blue Whale. 
  131. ^ GEF Project Site Maps (PDF). thegef.org. 13 March 2016. (原始内容 (PDF)存档于13 March 2016).  已忽略未知参数|df= (帮助)
  132. ^ Ramiros – Palmerinhas Coastal Area of Conservation near Mussulo Peninsula Island Submission of Scientific Information to Describe the Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas in Angola for the workshop in Namibia (PDF). 
  133. ^ Hucke-Gaete R.; Aguayo-Lobo A.; Yancovic-Pakarati S.; Flores M. Marine mammals of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) and Salas y Gómez Island (Motu Motiro Hiva), Chile: a review and new records (PDF). Lat. Am. J. Aquat. Res. 2014, 42 (4): 743–751. doi:10.3856/vol42-issue4-fulltext-5. 
  134. ^ https://www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/mar/ebsa-sea-01/other/ebsa-sea-01-submission-angola-template-en.pdf
  135. ^ ketosecology.co.uk  » Blue whales in Angola: new publication. 
  136. ^ Mauritania. 
  137. ^ A note on the distribution and abundance of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) in the Central and Northeast North Atlantic (PDF). 
  138. ^ 138.0 138.1 138.2 T. A. Branch; K. M. Stafford; D. M. Palacios. Past and present distribution, densities and movements of blue whales Balaenoptera musculus in the Southern Hemisphere and northern Indian Ocean. Mammal Review. 2007, 37 (2): 116–175. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2907.2007.00106.x. 
  139. ^ Sathasivam K. 2015. A CATALOGUE OF INDIAN MARINE MAMMAL RECORDS (pdf)
  140. ^ Maharashtra: Blue whales spotted off Sindhudurg coast after 100yrs. hindustantimes.com. 
  141. ^ Blue whale returns to Maharashtra waters, last sighting was in 1914. The Indian Express. 21 May 2015. 
  142. ^ Mridula Chari. Why the sightings of rare blue whales off the Konkan have thrilled scientists. Scroll.in. 
  143. ^ Fairfax Regional Media. White whale in Middleton. The Times. 30 July 2013 [14 May 2015]. 
  144. ^ Seasonal distribution, movements and taxonomie status of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) in the northern Indian Ocean (PDF Download Available). ResearchGate. 
  145. ^ Charles, A.; Branch, A. T.; Alagiyawadu, A.; Baldwin, R.; Marsac, F. Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus). Journal of Cetacean Research and Management. 2013, 12 (1): 203–218. (原始内容存档于18 January 2017).  已忽略未知参数|df= (帮助)
  146. ^ 2013. Trapped blue whale in Trang swims free
  147. ^ Rodrigo Hucke-Gaete. Blue Whales in Chile: The Giants of Marine Conservation (PDF). Rufford Small Grants Foundation. [22 March 2009]. 
  148. ^ The data for the blue whale, along with a species profile, may be found here [1]
  149. ^ 149.0 149.1 149.2 Melcón, ML; Cummins, AJ; Kerosky, SM; Roche, LK; Wiggins, SM; Hildebrand, JA. Blue Whales Respond to Anthropogenic Noise. PLoS ONE. 2012, 7: e32681. Bibcode:2012PLoSO...732681M. PMC 3290562可免费查阅. PMID 22393434. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0032681. 
  150. ^ Tarpy, C. Killer whale attack!. National Geographic. 1979, 155 (4): 542–545. 
  151. ^ "Killer Whales Bully Lone Blue Whale in Rare Video" http://www.livescience.com/43879-killer-whales-attack-blue-whale-video.html
  152. ^ Killer Whales Attacked a Blue Whale—Here's the Surprising Reason Why. 25 May 2017. 
  153. ^ 153.0 153.1 153.2 Reeves RR, Clapham PJ, Brownell RL, Silber GK. Recovery plan for the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) (PDF). Silver Spring, MD: National Marine Fisheries Service. 1998: 42 [20 June 2007]. 
  154. ^ Blue whales being struck by ships. 23 July 2014. 
  155. ^ Dead blue whale, fetus wash ashore in San Mateo County. The Mercury News. 2010-10-06 [2018-03-14] (美国英语). 
  156. ^ Rogers, Paul. Blue whale washes up dead along Northern California beach. Santa Cruz Sentinel. May 27, 2017 [2018-03-14] (英语). 
  157. ^ Research into blue whale ship strikes off Sri Lanka offers solution to deadly threat. 
  158. ^ Goldbogen JA, Southall BL, Deruiter SL, Calambokidis J, Friedlaender AS, Hazen EL, Falcone EA, Schorr GS, Douglas A, Moretti DJ, Kyburg C, McKenna MF, Tyack PL. Blue whales respond to simulated mid-frequency military sonar. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Jul 3, 2013, 280 (765): 20130657. PMC 3712439可免费查阅. PMID 23825206. doi:10.1098/rspb.2013.0657. 
  159. ^ Schiermeier, Quirin. Climate change: a sea change. Nature. 2007, 439 (7074): 256–260. Bibcode:2006Natur.439..256S. PMID 16421539. doi:10.1038/439256a.  (subscription required); see also Atlantic circulation change summary. RealClimate.org. 19 January 2006. 
  160. ^ Robert A. Robinson; Jennifer A. Learmonth; Anthony M. Hutson; Colin D. Macleod; Tim H. Sparks; David I. Leech; Graham J. Pierce; Mark M. Rehfisch & Humphrey Q.P. Crick. Climate Change and Migratory Species (PDF). BTO. August 2005 [9 July 2007]. (原始内容 (PDF)存档于28 October 2014). 
  161. ^ Hucke-Gaete, Rodrigo; Layla P. Osman; Carlos A. Moreno; Ken P. Findlay & Don K. Ljungblad. Discovery of a Blue Whale Feeding and Nursing Ground in Southern Chile. The Royal Society. 2003,. 271 Suppl 4: s170–s173. PMC 1810017可免费查阅. PMID 15252974. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2003.0132. 
  162. ^ Moline, Mark A.; Herve Claustre; Thomas K. Frazer; Oscar Schofield & Maria Vernet. Alteration of the Food Web Along the Antarctic Peninsula in Response to a Regional Warming Trend. Global Change Biology. 2004, 10 (12): 1973–1980. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.486.7880可免费查阅. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2004.00825.x. 
  163. ^ "Sizing ocean giants: patterns of intraspecific size variation in marine megafauna" by Craig R. McClain, Meghan A. Balk, Mark C. Benfield, Trevor A. Branch, Catherine Chen, James Cosgrove, Alistair D.M. Dove, Lindsay C. Gaskins, Rebecca R. Helm, Frederick G. Hochberg, Frank B. Lee, Andrea Marshall, Steven E. McMurray, Caroline Schanche, Shane N. Stone, Andrew D. Thaler https://peerj.com/articles/715/
  164. ^ Blue Whales. American Cetacean Society. 
  165. ^ Aquarium of the Pacific – Online Learning Center – Blue Whale. [12 August 2009]. 
  166. ^ The Blue Whale Project. Beaty Biodiversity Museum. Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia. 2010 [2 May 2010]. (原始内容存档于4 April 2010). 
  167. ^ Canada. Exhibition: RBC Blue Water Gallery | Canadian Museum of Nature. Nature.ca. [13 August 2012]. 
  168. ^ The Blue Whale Exhibition – Tickets – Royal Ontario Museum. www.rom.on.ca. 
  169. ^ Пресс-служба Одесского национального университета имени И.И. Мечникова. 
  170. ^ Topic: Pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). The suspended skeleton in Mountains to the Sea... 
  171. ^ Wenzel FW, Mattila DK, Clapham PJ. Balaenoptera musculus in the Gulf of Maine. Mar Mammal Sci. 1988, 4 (2): 172–175. doi:10.1111/j.1748-7692.1988.tb00198.x. 
  172. ^ Blue Whales Spotted In Unusually Large Numbers Off Southern California Shore. The Huffington Post. 21 September 2010 [2 April 2012]. 
  173. ^ Alfaguara project (PDF). Rufford Small Grant s Foundation. January 2008 [1 April 2012]. 
  174. ^ Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne. Is southern Sri Lanka the world's top spot for seeing Blue and Sperm whales?. Wildlife Extra.com. [15 April 2011]. 
  175. ^ Blue Whales arrive in Geographe Bay. Whale watching & Deep sea fishing charters in South West Australia. [14 May 2015]. 
  176. ^ HeliExplore. YouTube. [14 May 2015]. 
  177. ^ Kim Westerskov. Blue Whale Feeding Near Shore New Zealand ストックフォト 91275736. Getty Images. 

Further reading

External links