Demographic Parameters of Iberian Killer Whales Between 2011 and 2023

ABSTRACT The Iberian killer whale subpopulation was assessed as critically endangered (CR) by the IUCN red list of threatened species based on the available information until 2011 on its low abundance, high newborn mortality, and dependency on the endangered Atlantic bluefin tuna. The present study focuses on updating the subpopulation demographic parameters between 2011 and 2023. Data were based on photo‐identification and stranding records. Abundance, survival, reproductive rates, and population growth were estimated through mark‐recapture models. Stranding records were used to estimate body size and calving seasonality. Sightings of newborn calves were also used for assessing seasonality. From 2011 through 2023, 26 stranding records were obtained, and 18,554 ID‐images were examined. This subpopulation showed a stable abundance, with 37 individuals in 2023, still qualifying for the IUCN CR category under criteria D. Calf survival rate has increased compared to pre‐2011, while adult survival has decreased, particularly for females. Reproductive rates were low, with an estimated interbirth interval of 8.3 years. The overall population growth rate was apparently stable at 0.46%. Most births occurred in the summer and fall. Iberian killer whales are generally smaller than the average body length of other killer whale populations throughout the world. The study emphasizes the need for long‐term monitoring and highlights new potential threats from fishing activities and recent disruptive interactions with recreational boats. The future of the subpopulation depends on recruitment and survival of juveniles and effective female reproduction.

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Publication Details

Journal
Marine Mammal Science
Published
2025-10-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.70088
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Marine animal studies overview
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.72

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article

Demographic Parameters of Iberian Killer Whales Between 2011 and 2023

J. Haelters, Leire Ruiz, Jörn Selling, Victoria Pouey‐Santalou et al.
1 citations
Marine Mammal Science
Marine animal studies overview
1.72
article

Demographic Parameters of Iberian Killer Whales Between 2011 and 2023

J. Haelters, Leire Ruiz, Jörn Selling, Victoria Pouey‐Santalou, Daniela Nobre, A. S. Dias, João M. Gonçalves, Gorka Ocio, Alejandro Onrubia, Michael J. Moore, Sara Magalhães, M. H. J. Wiese, Ruth Esteban, Annemieke Podt, Alfredo Rodrigues, Miguel A. Morcillo, Francisco J. Gil‐Vera, Ezequiel Andréu, Philippe Verborgh, Laura González García, Alfredo López, Xabier Vázquez Pumariño, Pauline Gauffier, Germán Garrote, José Antonio Vázquez, Paula Méndez‐Fernandez, Filipe Martinho, R. Espada Ruíz, José María Brotons, Pierre Guibert, Gonçalo Abrantes, Georgina Cabayol, Lilian Haristoy
article en
1 citations

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Iberian killer whale subpopulation was assessed as critically endangered (CR) by the IUCN red list of threatened species based on the available information until 2011 on its low abundance, high newborn mortality, and dependency on the endangered Atlantic bluefin tuna. The present study focuses on updating the subpopulation demographic parameters between 2011 and 2023. Data were based on photo‐identification and stranding records. Abundance, survival, reproductive rates, and population growth were estimated through mark‐recapture models. Stranding records were used to estimate body size and calving seasonality. Sightings of newborn calves were also used for assessing seasonality. From 2011 through 2023, 26 stranding records were obtained, and 18,554 ID‐images were examined. This subpopulation showed a stable abundance, with 37 individuals in 2023, still qualifying for the IUCN CR category under criteria D. Calf survival rate has increased compared to pre‐2011, while adult survival has decreased, particularly for females. Reproductive rates were low, with an estimated interbirth interval of 8.3 years. The overall population growth rate was apparently stable at 0.46%. Most births occurred in the summer and fall. Iberian killer whales are generally smaller than the average body length of other killer whale populations throughout the world. The study emphasizes the need for long‐term monitoring and highlights new potential threats from fishing activities and recent disruptive interactions with recreational boats. The future of the subpopulation depends on recruitment and survival of juveniles and effective female reproduction.

Marine Mammal ScienceVol. 42(1)
Universidade dos Açores (PT), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), University of the Basque Country (ES), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (ES), Madeira Tecnopolo (PT), Pilgrim Hospital (GB), Institute of Natural Sciences (BE), Universidad de Cádiz (ES), Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna (ES), Euskadiko Parke Teknologikoa (ES), Instituto Español de Oceanografía (ES), Instituto Superior Manuel Teixeira Gomes (PT), Misión Biológica de Galicia (ES), Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Recursos Naturais (PT), Centro de Salud Casa del Barco (ES), Hendrix Genetics (Netherlands) (NL), Electricidade dos Açores (Portugal) (PT), SGS (Portugal) (PT), A Rocha (PT), Wildlife Information Liaison Development (IN), Asociación Demográfica Costarricense (CR), Fundación General (ES), The Audio Recording Academy (CA), Océanopolis (FR), Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias (ES), Social Entrepreneurs Agency (PT), Institute of Natural Science (KP), Complejo Hospitalario de Pontevedra (ES), Bayer (France) (FR), University of Aveiro (PT), University of Algarve (PT), La Rochelle Université (FR), Universidad de Sevilla (ES)
Fundación Banco Santander, Banco Santander, Universiteit Utrecht, Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, Centro de Estudos Ambientais e Marinhos, Universidade de Aveiro, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Openalex Percentile: Top 13%
Marine animal studies overview
1.72
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