A summary of intraspecific size variation for large mysticetes

Abstract

Following existing work on odontocetes, an extensive survey of literature was conducted to summarize the growth and body mass of nine mysticete species along with analyses of adult size distributions using data from the International Whaling Commission catch database. Relationships uncovered between length parameters in mysticetes are combined with results previously obtained for odontocetes. On average, the mean adult length was 4% below the asymptotic size and its relative variability appeared to be very similar across most species (CV=4-5%). This value was expectedly higher in species with more prolonged growth throughout adulthood (CV=6-8%). Total body mass relationships between mysticete species appear to align with feeding strategies, as generalists and skim-feeders are notably heavier than lunge-feeding specialists.