Direct hearing measurements in a baleen whale suggest ultrasonic sensitivity

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Houser, Dorian S.; Kvadsheim, Petter H.; Kleivane, Lars; Mulsow, Jason; Olberg, Rolf A.; Harms, Craig A.; Teilmann, Jonas; Finneran, James J.
• 署名单位: Norwegian Defence Research Establishment; North Carolina State University; Aarhus University; United States Department of Defense; United States Navy; Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific
• 刊物名称: SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0036-13410
• DOI: 10.1126/science.ado7580
• 发表日期: 2024-11-22
• 页码: 902-906
• 关键词: brain-stem response; auditory-evoked potentials; killer whales; orcinus-orca; tursiops-truncatus; predation; single; signals; MODEL

摘要

Predicting and mitigating the impacts of anthropogenic ocean noise on marine animals is hindered by a lack of information on hearing in these species. We established a catch-and-release program to temporarily hold adolescent minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) for hearing tests during their summer migration. In 2023, two minke whales provided measures of the auditory brainstem response and data on the frequency range of their hearing. Results show that minke whales are sensitive to sound frequencies as high as 45 to 90 kilohertz. These tests provide information on the types of anthropogenic noise that could affect minke whales and potentially, other related baleen whale species.