A multi-method approach across ocean basins challenges fin whale classic migratory assumptions off South America

Baleen whale classical pattern of summering in high latitude and wintering in low latitude has been framed within a continuum of migratory schemes. Here, we aim to understand fin whale distribution and migratory patterns off South America by summarizing dedicated visual surveys, passive acoustic monitoring, and telemetry data from Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. Our results agree with findings from other fin whale populations and whaling records from South America, supporting the existence of multiple migratory schemes including year-round residency and classic migration. An unprecedented case of a “seasonally inverted migration”, with an individual summering in low-mid latitudes and wintering in high latitudes is presented as the first description of a fin whale round trip migratory route in the Southern Hemisphere. Our results reinforce the notion that baleen whale migratory movements are more diverse than previously thought and highlight the relevance of international cooperation for the study and conservation of migratory species.

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Publication Details

Journal
Scientific Reports
Published
2026-07-24
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-63375-5
Primary Topic
Marine animal studies overview
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

A multi-method approach across ocean basins challenges fin whale classic migratory assumptions off South America

Victor del Castillo, Maritza Sepúlveda, Carlos Olavarría, Kathleen M. Stafford et al.
Scientific Reports
Marine animal studies overview
article

A multi-method approach across ocean basins challenges fin whale classic migratory assumptions off South America

Victor del Castillo, Maritza Sepúlveda, Carlos Olavarría, Kathleen M. Stafford, Maximiliano Vega, Ilia Cari, Luis Bedriñana‐Romano, William Soares-Filho, Laura Gutiérrez, Sidney Gomes, Eliana Zuazquita, Patricia M. Zárate, Macarena Santos‐Carvallo, Alicia I. Guerrero, Marta Jussara Cremer, Nicolás Muñoz, María José Pérez‐Álvarez, Constanza Rojas, Renan Lopes Paitach, Juliana Couto Di Tullio, Diego Filún, Monica A. Torres, Robert Bello, Barbara Galletti-Vernazzani, Eduardo R. Secchi, Rodrigo Hucke‐Gaete, Alexandre N. Zerbini, Susannah J. Buchan, Leonardo Wedekin, M. Belén Tartaglia Gamarra, Sofía F. Álvarez-Abarzúa, Francisco A. Viddi, Natalia Dellabianca, Ljubitza Clavijo-Gorostiaga, Miguel A. Iñiguez-Bessega, M. Vanesa Reyes Reyes
article en

Abstract

Baleen whale classical pattern of summering in high latitude and wintering in low latitude has been framed within a continuum of migratory schemes. Here, we aim to understand fin whale distribution and migratory patterns off South America by summarizing dedicated visual surveys, passive acoustic monitoring, and telemetry data from Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. Our results agree with findings from other fin whale populations and whaling records from South America, supporting the existence of multiple migratory schemes including year-round residency and classic migration. An unprecedented case of a “seasonally inverted migration”, with an individual summering in low-mid latitudes and wintering in high latitudes is presented as the first description of a fin whale round trip migratory route in the Southern Hemisphere. Our results reinforce the notion that baleen whale migratory movements are more diverse than previously thought and highlight the relevance of international cooperation for the study and conservation of migratory species.

Scientific Reports
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (BR), Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung (DE), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (CL), Oregon State University (US), Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (US), Austral University of Chile (CL), University of Concepción (CL), University of Washington (US), Fundación Chile (CL), Klamath Community College (US), Brazilian Naval School (BR), National University of Tierra del Fuego (AR), Center for Dynamic Research on High Latitude Marine Ecosystems (CL), Wildlife Conservation Society Argentina (AR), Universidade da Região de Joinville (BR), NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Alaska Fisheries Science Center (US), Instituto Sócioambiental (BR), Fundación para la Investigación, Docencia y Prevención del Cáncer (AR), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Estado de Santa Catarina (BR), Instituto de Fomento Pesquero (CL), Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research (US), Centro Universitário Academia (BR), University of Chile (CL), University of La Serena (CL), University of Valparaíso (CL), Centro de Estudios Científicos (CL), University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College (US)
Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies, University of Washington, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Petrobras, Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo
Life below water
Openalex Percentile: Top 8%
Marine animal studies overview
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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