Climate

Arabian Sea humpbacks may be a unique subspecies at risk of extinction

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Briefings

A new genetic study identifies Arabian Sea humpback whales as a distinct subspecies, evolving in isolation for tens of thousands of years. The population shows low genetic diversity and diverged from other humpback groups between 43,000 and 113,000 years ago, making them vulnerable to extinction. Researchers analyzed mitochondrial DNA from 2,285 global whales, noting the population does not migrate like other humpback groups. The study was published in 2026 by Wildlife Conservation Society, with findings based on preprint data.

Key points

• Arabian Sea humpback whales are a distinct subspecies with low genetic diversity and diverged from other populations between 43,000 and 113,000 years ago.
• The population does not migrate, remaining in tropical and subtropical waters all year, unlike other humpback whale subspecies.

Context and limitations

Genetic analysis relies on mitochondrial DNA from 2,285 global whales; divergence dates are estimates; preprint status may contain uncertainty.

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