Omura's Whale Photo Gallery by Wildlife Images at pbase.com

Omura's Whale

Balaenoptera species photographed north of the Lacapede Islands in WA, Australia on 2 November 2009. It probable that this record relates to that of the little known Omura's Whale Balaenoptera omurai; a medium sized Balaenoptera taxon allied to Bryde's Whale and Fin Whale that was described in 2003. If correct this sighting is the first record of Omura's Whale within Australian waters

Notable features that are visible in the images include;

- white lower jaw and lips on left side (rules out typical Bryde's Whale)

- dorsal fin consistent with Brydes Whale rather than Fin Whale (rules out typical Fin Whale)

- absence of three distinct rostral ridges (rules out typical Brydes Whale)

- medium in size - estimated to be 15 m in total length (using 22 m vessel as benchmark) - close to the reported upper size limit for Omura's Whale.

If you have more to contribute to the discussion please send an email to rohan 'at' wildlifeimages.com.au

To compare with Fin Whale visit https://pbase.com/wildlifeimages/fin_whale

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Omura's Whale 6345.jpg

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