Family BALAENOPTERIDAE
Compiler and date details
31 December 1998 - J.L. Bannister (1988); updated by Barry J. Richardson (1999), Centre for Biostructural and Biomolecular Research, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury
Introduction
Six balaenopterid species (five rorquals and the humpback whale) are known from Australian waters. T
hey have short, broad baleen plates which usually are continuous anteriorly. The mandibles are distinctly bowed outwardly. Externally, the throat has numerous parallel grooves. The dorsal fin is present, but small. The rostrum of the skull is broad and flat and the cervical vertebrae unfused.
Varyingly gregarious, the group includes the fastest of all whales. Tropic-polar migrations occur in all except one species. Although krill comprises the dietary staple, small schooling fish also may be eaten. Formerly abundant, most species have been hunted and their populations greatly reduced.
References
Baker, A.N. 1983. Whales and Dolphins of New Zealand and Australia. Wellington : Victoria University Press 133 pp.
Bannister, J.L. 1989. Balaenopteridae. pp. 982–987 in Walton, D.W. & Richardson, B.J. (eds). Fauna of Australia. Volume 1B Mammalia. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service pp. 827
Bannister, J.L., Kemper, C.M. & Warneke, R.M. 1996. The Action Plan for Australian Cetaceans. Canberra : Australian Nature Conservation Agency 242 pp.