View source for Wiki143 talk:WikiProject Cetaceans

{{WikiProject banner shell|
{{WikiProject Cetaceans}}
}}
{{Archive box|1=<nowiki />
* [[/Archive 1/]] (February 2004 – July 2006)
* [[/Archive 2/]] (August 2006 – 2007)
* [[/Archive 3/]] (2008)
* [[/Archive 4/]] (2009)
* [[/Archive 5/]] (2010)
}}

== Killer Whale - featured article review ==
{{#if:|[[User:{{{2}}}]] has|I have}} nominated [[Killer Whale]] for a [[Wikipedia:Featured article review/Killer Whale/archive1|featured article review here]]. Please join the discussion on whether this article meets [[Wikipedia:What is a featured article?|featured article criteria]]. Articles are typically reviewed for two weeks. If substantial concerns are not addressed during the review period, the article will be moved to the Featured Article Removal Candidates list for a further period, where editors may declare "Keep" or "Remove" the article's featured status. The instructions for the review process are [[Wikipedia:Featured article review|here]]. [[User:Tpbradbury|Tom B]] ([[User talk:Tpbradbury|talk]]) 19:54, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

== Merge [[Whale]] and [[Cetacea]]? ==
I was going to make the official proposal myself, but it seems like the sort of thing that would be more skillfully discussed and handled by Team Cetacea (of which I am a fan but not a member). [[User:Krychek|Krychek]] ([[User talk:Krychek|talk]]) 20:00, 6 December 2013 (UTC)
:'''Disagree''': Since the term "whale", by usage, applies only to part of the order ''Cetacea'', and has distinct biological differences from dolphins & porpoises, especially in the case of baleen whales, I recommend that they not be merged. [[User:AshLin|AshLin]] ([[User talk:AshLin|talk]]) 13:32, 25 August 2014 (UTC)
::I don't think that partial usage is so cut-and-dried or universal to justify the current state of affairs.  I'd like them both to be merged to [[Whale]] ([[Cetacea]] should be a redirect, I think.) [[User:ErikHaugen|ErikHaugen]] <small>([[User talk:ErikHaugen|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/ErikHaugen|contribs]])</small> 17:53, 22 January 2015 (UTC)

== Popular pages tool update ==
As of January, the popular pages tool has moved from the Toolserver to [[Wikipedia:Wikimedia Labs|Wikimedia Tool Labs]]. The code has changed significantly from the Toolserver version, but users should notice few differences. Please take a moment to look over your project's list for any anomalies, such as pages that you expect to see that are missing or pages that seem to have more views than expected. Note that unlike other tools, this tool aggregates all views from redirects, which means it will typically have higher numbers. (For January 2014 specifically, 35 hours of data is missing from the WMF data, which was approximated from other dates. For most articles, this should yield a more accurate number. However, a few articles, like ones featured on the Main Page, may be off).

Web tools, to replace the ones at [[tools:~alexz/pop]], will become available over the next few weeks at [[toollabs:popularpages]]. All of the historical data (back to July 2009 for some projects) has been copied over. The [[toollabs:popularpages/view.php|tool to view historical data]] is currently partially available (assessment data and a few projects may not be available at the moment). The tool to add new projects to the bot's list is also available [[toollabs:popularpages/config.php|now]] (editing the configuration of current projects coming soon). Unlike the previous tool, all changes will be effective immediately. [[mw:Help:OAuth|OAuth]] is used to authenticate users, allowing only regular users to make changes to prevent abuse. A visible history of configuration additions and changes is coming soon. Once tools become fully available, their toolserver versions will redirect to Labs. 

If you have any questions, want to report any bugs, or there are any features you would like to see that aren't currently available on the Toolserver tools, see the [[User:Mr.Z-man/Popular pages FAQ|updated FAQ]] or contact me on my talk page. [[User:Mr.Z-bot|Mr.Z-bot]] ([[User talk:Mr.Z-bot|talk]]) (for <span style="font-family:Broadway">[[User:Mr.Z-man|Mr.]][[User talk:Mr.Z-man|'''''Z-'''man'']]</span>) 04:57, 23 February 2014 (UTC)

== Whale poo ==
[[Whale feces]] is up. Any chance of an image of whale poo? [[User:AshLin|AshLin]] ([[User talk:AshLin|talk]]) 14:20, 22 August 2014 (UTC)

== Fools rush in... ==
... where angels fear to tread? I've begun work on [[Cetacean anatomy]]. I intend to try my best to bring in a much needed resource for our project. The whale & dolphin anatomies sections are clearly inadequate. I'm modelling the draft on [[fish anatomy]]. My draft is '''[[User:AshLin/DYKDraft9|here]]'''. Since I'm a Wikitroll, please don't expect quick results but I hoe to get there eventually. I've done something [[External morphology of Lepidoptera|similar]] in the past so hope to succeed here also. [[User:AshLin|AshLin]] ([[User talk:AshLin|talk]]) 13:28, 25 August 2014 (UTC)

== Comment on the WikiProject X proposal ==
Hello there! As you may already know, most WikiProjects here on Wikipedia struggle to stay active after they've been founded. I believe there is a lot of potential for WikiProjects to facilitate collaboration across subject areas, so I have submitted a grant proposal with the Wikimedia Foundation for the "WikiProject X" project. WikiProject X will study what makes WikiProjects succeed in retaining editors and then design a prototype WikiProject system that will recruit contributors to WikiProjects and help them run effectively. Please '''[[meta:Grants:IEG/WikiProject X|review the proposal here]]''' and leave feedback. If you have any questions, you can ask on the proposal page or leave a message on my [[User talk:Harej|talk page]]. Thank you for your time! <small>(Also, sorry about the posting mistake earlier. If someone already moved my message to the talk page, feel free to remove this posting.)</small> [[User:Harej|Harej]] ([[User talk:Harej|talk]]) 22:47, 1 October 2014 (UTC)
<!-- Message sent by User:Harej@enwiki using the list at http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Harej/WikiProjects&oldid=627879829 -->

== Marine Mammal WikiSprint - editathon ==
Hi All,

I am the Education Committee Chair for the [[Society for Marine Mammalogy]], we are hosting a "WikiSprint" which is a week long editathon starting on January 19th for all articles related to marine mammals. Please considering enrolling on our [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_Program:Society_for_Marine_Mammalogy/Marine_Mammal_WikiSprint_%28Winter%29 WikiEducation Course Page] 

[[User:ShaneGero|ShaneGero]] ([[User talk:ShaneGero|talk]]) 09:29, 7 January 2015 (UTC)

== WikiProject X is live! ==
[[File:WikiProject X icon.svg|100px|right|link=Wikipedia:WikiProject X]]

Hello everyone!

You may have received a message from me earlier asking you to comment on my WikiProject X proposal. The good news is that '''[[Wikipedia:WikiProject X|WikiProject X]]''' is now live! In our first phase, we are focusing on research. At this time, we are looking for people to share their experiences with WikiProjects: good, bad, or neutral. We are also looking for WikiProjects that may be interested in trying out new tools and layouts that will make participating easier and projects easier to maintain. If you or your WikiProject are interested, [[Wikipedia:WikiProject X|check us out]]! Note that this is an opt-in program; no WikiProject will be required to change anything against its wishes. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you!

'''Note:''' To receive additional notifications about WikiProject X on this talk page, please add this page to [[Wikipedia:WikiProject X/Newsletter]]. Otherwise, this will be the last notification sent about WikiProject X.

[[User:Harej|Harej]] ([[User talk:Harej|talk]]) 16:56, 14 January 2015 (UTC)
<!-- Message sent by User:Harej@enwiki using the list at http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Harej/WikiProjects&oldid=642466477 -->

== Taxonomy template for auto taxobox - Order Cetartiodactlya ==
Hi, 

I am trying to correct the taxonomy template for cetaceans. [[Template:Taxonomy/Cetacea/Mammalia]]. The Order for all cetaceans should be [[Cetartiodactyla]] Not [[Cetacea]] (which should be unranked based on current understanding); and [[Odontoceti]] and [[Mysticeti]], which were previously suborder should be unranked. The old system should always be visible as unranked, since this is a major change in taxonomy compared to current public knowledge. I have managed to make Cetacea and the two suborders unranked in the template, but it will not allow me to make an new entry for the Order which should be [[Cetartiodactyla]]. Does anyone here have experience with the [[Template:Taxonomy/Cetacea/Mammalia]] system and who understands the classification changes I am proposing below. THANKS [[User:ShaneGero|ShaneGero]] ([[User talk:ShaneGero|talk]]) 12:54, 20 January 2015 (UTC)

Based on molecular and morphological research, the cetaceans genetically and morphologically fall firmly within the [[Artiodactyla]] ([[even-toed ungulates]]).<ref>{{cite journal |title=Phylogenetic Relationships of Extinct Cetartiodactyls: Results of Simultaneous Analyses of Molecular, Morphological, and Stratigraphic Data |journal=Journal of Mammalian Evolution |year=2005 |last1=Geisler |first1=Jonathan H. |last2=Uden |first2=Mark D. |volume=12 |issue=1–2 |pages=145–160 |doi=10.1007/s10914-005-4963-8|s2cid=34683201 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Molecular evidence for the inclusion of cetaceans within the order Artiodactyla |journal=Molecular Biology and Evolution |year=1994 |last1=Graur |first1=D. |last2=Higgins |first2=G. |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=357–364 |doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a040118 |url=http://nsmn1.uh.edu/dgraur/ArticlesPDFs/MBE_Artiodactyla.pdf |pmid=8015431 }}</ref> The term [[Cetartiodactyla]] reflects the idea that whales evolved within the ungulates. The term was coined by merging the name for the two orders, [[Cetacea]] and [[Artiodactyla]], into a single word. Under this definition, the closest living land relative of the whales and dolphins is thought to be the [[hippopotamus]]es. Use of Order [[Cetartiodactyla]], instead of [[Cetacea]] with Suborders [[Odontoceti]] and [[Mysticeti]], is favored by most evolutionary mammalogists working with molecular data<ref>{{cite journal |title=The phylogeny of Cetartiodactyla: the importance of dense taxon sampling, missing data, and the remarkable promise of cytochrome b to provide reliable species-level phylogenies |journal=Mol Phylogenet Evol. |year=2008 |last1=Agnarsson |first1=I. |last2=May-Collado |first2=LJ. |volume=48 |issue=3 |pages=964–985 |doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2008.05.046 |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18590827 |pmid=18590827 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=A complete phylogeny of the whales, dolphins and even-toed hoofed mammals – Cetartiodactyla |journal=Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc.  |year=2005 |last1=Price |first1=SA. |last2=Bininda-Emonds |first2=OR. |last3=Gittleman |first3=JL. |volume=80 |issue=3 |pages=445–473 |doi=10.1017/s1464793105006743 |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16094808 |pmid=16094808  |s2cid=45056197 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Phylogenetic relationships of artiodactyls and cetaceans as deduced from the comparison of cytochrome b and 12S RNA mitochondrial sequences |journal=Molecular Biology and Evolution |year=1997 |last1=Montgelard |first1=C. |last2=Catzeflis |first2=FM. |last3=Douzery |first3=E. |volume=14 |issue=5 |pages=550–559 |doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a025792 |url=http://mbe.oxfordjournals.org/content/14/5/550.short |pmid=9159933 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Relationships of Cetacea -Artiodactyla- Among Mammals: Increased Taxon Sampling Alters Interpretations of Key Fossils and Character Evolution |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=4 |issue=9 |pages=e7062 |year=2009 |last1= Spaulding |first1=M. |last2=O'Leary |first2=MA. |last3=Gatesy |first3=J. |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0007062 |pmid=19774069 |pmc=2740860 |bibcode=2009PLoSO...4.7062S |doi-access=free }}</ref> and is supported the [[IUCN]] Cetacean Specialist Group<ref>[http://www.iucn-csg.org/index.php/taxonomy/ Cetacean Species and Taxonomy]. iucn-csg.org</ref> and by Taxonomy Committee<ref>[https://www.marinemammalscience.org/species-information/list-of-marine-mammal-species-subspecies/ "The Society for Marine Mammalogy's Taxonomy Committee List of Species and subspecies"]. </ref> of the [[Society for Marine Mammalogy]], the largest international association of marine mammal scientists in the world.
{{reflist-talk}}

Please weigh in at [[Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Mammals#Cetacean_Taxonomy_Template_for_auto_taxobox]] instead of here.  Thanks! [[User:ErikHaugen|ErikHaugen]] <small>([[User talk:ErikHaugen|talk]] &#124; [[Special:Contributions/ErikHaugen|contribs]])</small> 18:27, 22 January 2015 (UTC)

== Whale - FA candidate ==
I have nominated the [[Whale]] article for FA candidate. Please join the discussion on whether or not this article meets [[Wikipedia:FA criteria|FA criteria]] at [[Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/Whale/archive1|this link]]. [[User:Dunkleosteus77|<span style="color: green">Dunkleosteus77</span>]] [[User talk:Dunkleosteus77|<span style="color: green"><sup>(push to talk)</sup></span>]] 02:19, 11 September 2015 (UTC)

== River dolphin - GAN ==
Hello, I've nominated [[River dolphin]] for GAN. Please start the review at [[Talk:River dolphin|this link]]. Many thanks. [[User:Dunkleosteus77|<span style="color: green">Dunkleosteus77</span>]] [[User talk:Dunkleosteus77|<span style="color: green"><sup>(push to talk)</sup></span>]] 21:27, 4 October 2015 (UTC)

== FLRC ==
I have nominated [[List of cetaceans]] for [[Wikipedia:Featured list removal candidates/List of cetaceans/archive1|featured list removal here]]. Please join the discussion on whether this article meets the [[Wikipedia:What is a featured list?|featured list criteria]]. Articles are typically reviewed for two weeks; editors may declare to "Keep" or "Delist" the article's featured status. The instructions for the review process are [[Wikipedia:Featured list removal candidates|here]].<!-- Template:FLRCMessage --> [[User:SSTflyer|sst✈]]<sup>''[[User talk:SSTflyer#top|discuss]]''</sup> 18:27, 13 November 2015 (UTC)

== Porpoise – GAN ==
I've nominated Porpoise for GA-review. Please start the review at [[Talk:Porpoise|this link]]. Many thanks [[User:Dunkleosteus77|<span style="color: green">Dunkleosteus77</span>]] [[User talk:Dunkleosteus77|<span style="color: green"><sup>(push to talk)</sup></span>]] 20:09, 25 November 2015 (UTC)

== Baleen whale rewrite  ==
I'm putting together an extensive rewrite for the [[Baleen whale]] article in my sandbox. Below is what I have so far, feel free to make whatever changes you feel necessary. Thanks <span style="font-family:Monotype Corsiva;background:#E6E6FA;border:solid 1px;border-radius:7px;box-shadow:darkblue 0px 3px 3px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;[[User:Dunkleosteus77]]&nbsp;&#124;[[User talk:Dunkleosteus77|push to talk]]&nbsp;</span> 22:11, 23 January 2016 (UTC)
:It's been up for a week, so I'll go ahead and add it. <span style="font-family:Monotype Corsiva;background:#E6E6FA;border:solid 1px;border-radius:7px;box-shadow:darkblue 0px 3px 3px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;[[User:Dunkleosteus77]]&nbsp;&#124;[[User talk:Dunkleosteus77|push to talk]]&nbsp;</span> 04:07, 30 January 2016 (UTC)
{{collapse top}}
{{Taxobox
| name = Baleen whales
| fossil_range = {{Temporal range|late Eocene|Recent}}
| image = Humpback stellwagen edit.jpg
| image_caption = [[Humpback whale]] breaching
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| ordo = [[Cetartiodactyla]]
| infraordo = [[Cetacea]]
| parvordo = '''Mysticeti'''
| authority = {{Harvnb|Cope|1891}}
| subdivision_ranks = [[Family (biology)|Families]]
| subdivision = see [[#Taxonomy|cladogram]]
| diversity = 15 species
| diversity_link = List of cetaceans#Mysticeti: baleen whales
}}
'''Mysticeti''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɪ|s|t|ɪ|s|ɛ|t|iː}}), (from [[Latin]] ''ὁ μῦς τὸ κῆτος'' "the mouse, the whale so called" <ref name="Oxfordmysticeti"/>), or '''baleen whales''' are a widely [[range (biology)|distributed]] and diverse [[parvorder]] of [[omnivorous]], aquatic, [[marine mammal]]s. They comprise the [[families]] [[Balaenidae]] ([[right whale]]s), [[Balaenopteridae]] (rorqual), [[Eschrichtiidae]] (the [[gray whale]]), and [[Cetotheriidae]] (the [[pygmy right whale]]). There are currently 15 species of baleen whale. While cetaceans were historically thought to have descended from [[mesonychid]]s, [[molecular phylogenetics|molecular]] evidence supports them as descendants of [[Artiodactyla]] (even-toed ungulates). Baleen whale split from [[toothed whale]]s (Odontoceti) around 34 million years ago.

Baleen whales range in size from the {{convert|6|m|ft|abbr=on}} and {{convert|3000|kg|lbs|abbr=on}} [[pygmy right whale]] to the {{convert|34|m|ft|abbr=on}} and {{convert|190|MT|ST|abbr=on}} [[blue whale]], which is also the largest creature. They exhibit [[sexual dimorphism]]. Baleen whales can have streamlined or large bodies, depending on the feeding behavior, and two limbs that are modified into [[Flipper (anatomy)|flipper]]s. Though not as not as flexible and agile as [[seal]]s, baleen whales can swim very fast. [[Baleen whale]]s use their [[baleen|plates]] to filter out food from the water, and each genus has a different method of doing so. Baleen whales have fused neck vertebrae, and are unable to turn their head at all. Baleen whales have two [[blowhole (anatomy)|blowholes]]. Some species are well adapted for diving to great depths. They have a layer of fat, or [[blubber]], under the skin to keep warm in the cold water.

Although baleen whales widespread, most species prefer the colder waters of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. They spend their lives in the water, mating, giving birth, [[moulting|molting]] completely submerged, only coming to the surface to breathe. Grey whales are specialized for feeding on bottom-dwelling [[mollusk]]s. Rorquals are specialized at lunge-feeding, and have a streamlined body to reduce drag while accelerating. Right whales gulp-feed, meaning they use their enlarged head to effectively take in a large amount of water and sieve the slow-moving prey. Males typically mate with more than one female ([[Polygyny in nature|polygyny]]), although the degree of polygyny varies with the species. Male strategies for [[reproductive success]] vary between performing [[Courtship display|ritual displays]] or [[lek mating]]. Calves are typically born in the spring and summer months and females bear all the responsibility for raising them. Mothers [[fasting|fast]] and nurse their young for a relatively long period. Baleen whales produce a number of [[whale sound|vocalisations]], notably the songs of the humpback whale. 

The meat, blubber, baleen, and oil of baleen whales have traditionally been used by [[Circumpolar peoples|indigenous peoples of the Arctic]]. Once relentlessly [[whaling|hunted]] by commercial industries for these products, cetaceans are now protected by international law. However, the [[North Atlantic right whale]] is ranked critically endangered by the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]]. Besides hunting, baleen whales also face threats from [[marine mammals and sonar|naval sonar]], which result in [[cetacean stranding|strandings]], and [[marine pollution]].
{{clear}}
{{large|'''Etymology'''}}
----
The taxonomic name "Mysticeti" (Latin, plural) apparently derives from a translation error in early copies of [[Aristotle]]'s ''[[History of Animals|Historia Animalium]]'', in which "{{lang|grc|ὁ μῦς τὸ κῆτος}}" (''ho mus to kētos'', "the mouse, the whale so called") was mistakenly run together as "{{lang|grc|ὁ μυστικῆτος}}" (''ο mustikētos'', "the Mysticetus"),<ref name="Oxfordmysticeti">{{Cite web
 | title = Mysticeti | publisher = Oxford dictionary | accessdate = October 2013
 | url = http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/Mysticeti
}}</ref> which {{Harvnb|Rice|1998}} assumed was an ironic reference to the animals' great size.<ref name="Bannister-2008-1">{{Harvnb|Bannister|2008|loc=Characteristics and Taxonomy}}</ref> An alternate name for the suborder is "Mystacoceti" (from Greek {{lang|grc|μύσταξ}} "moustache" + {{lang|grc|κῆτος}} "whale"), which, although obviously more appropriate and occasionally used in the past, has been superseded by "Mysticeti".<ref name="Bannister-2008-1" />

The term "baleen" (Middle English ''baleyn, ballayne, ballien, bellane'', etc.) is an archaic word for "whale", derived from the Latin ''balæna''.<ref name=SOED>{{cite book|title=Shorter Oxford English dictionary|year=2007|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=United Kingdom|isbn=978-0199206872|pages=3804}}</ref>

{{large|'''Taxonomy'''}}
----
{{cladogram|align=left|title=
|clade=
{{clade
|style=font-size:75%;line-height:50%;width:330px;
|label1=
  |1={{clade
      |label1='''Mysticeti'''
      |1={{clade
         |1={{clade
            |1={{clade
               |1={{clade
                  |1={{clade
                  |1=[[Grey whale]]
                  |2={{clade
                  |1=[[Fin whale]]
                  }}
                  |3={{clade
                  |1=[[Humpback whale]]
                  }}
                  |4={{clade
                  |1=[[Bryde's whale]]
                  |2=[[Eden's whale]]
                  |3=[[Omura's whale]]
                  |4=[[Sei whale]]
                   }}
                  |5={{clade
                  |1=[[Common minke whale]]
                  |2=[[Southern minke whale]]
                   }}
                  |label1=''Eschrichtius''
                  |label2=''Balaenoptera''
                  |label3=''Megaptera''
                  |label4=''Rorqualus''
                  |label5=''Pterobalaena''
         }}}}}}}}}}}}
               |2={{clade
                 |1={{clade
                   |label1=''Eubalaena''
                   |1={{clade
                  |1=[[North Atlantic right whale]]
                  |2={{clade
                  |1=[[Southern right whale]]
                  |2=[[North Pacific right whale]]
                  }}
                  }}
                  }}
                  |3={{clade
                  |1=[[Bowhead whale]]
                  |label1=''Balaena''
                  }}
                  
            }}
                  
}}
|caption=Cladogram showing phylogenic relations between mysticete species according to Hassanin and Ropiquet, et al.<ref>{{cite journal|first1=Alexandre|last1=Hassanina|first2=Frédéric|last2=Delsucc|first3=Anne|last3=Ropiquetd|first4=Catrin|last4=Hammere|first5=Bettine|last5=Jansen van Vuurenf|first6=Conrad|last6=Mattheef|first7=Manuel|last7=Ruiz-Garciag|first8=François|last8=Catzeflisc|first9=Veronika|last9=Areskough|first10=Trung|last10=Thanh Nguyena|first11=Arnaud|last11=Coulouxj|year=2012|title=Histoire évolutive des Cetartiodactyla (Mammalia, Laurasiatheria) racontée par l'analyse des génomes mitochondriaux|language=French|journal=Comptes Rendus Biologies|volume=335|issue=1|pages=32–50|doi=10.1016/j.crvi.2011.11.002|pmid=22226162 |url=https://comptes-rendus.academie-sciences.fr/biologies/articles/10.1016/j.crvi.2011.11.002/ }}</ref> and Rosenbaum and Brownell, Jr., et al.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Rosenbaum|first1=H. C.|first2=R. L.|last2=Brownell Jr.|first3=M.|last3=W.B.C. Schaeff|first4=V.|last4=Portway|first5=B. N.|last5=White|first6=S.|last6=Malik|first7=L. A.|last7=Pastene|first8=N.|last8=J. Patenaude|first9=C.|last9=S. Baker|first10=M.|last10=Goto|first11=P.|last11=Best|first12=P. J.|last12=Clapham|first13=P.|last13=Hamilton|first14=M.|last14=Moore|first15=R.|last15=Payne|first16=V.|last16=Rowntree|first17=C. |last17=T. Tynan|first18=J.|last18=L. Bannister|first19=R.|last19=Desalle|year=2000|title=World-wide genetic differentiation of ''Eubalaena'': Questioning the number of right whale species|journal=Molecular Ecology|volume=9|issue=11|pages=1793–802|url=http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-294x.2000.01066.x/pdf|doi=10.1046/j.1365-294x.2000.01066.x|format=PDF|pmid=11091315|bibcode=2000MolEc...9.1793R |s2cid=7166876 }}</ref>}}
Mysticetes are also known as baleen whales due to the presence of [[baleen]]. These animals rely on their baleen plates to sieve plankton and other small organisms from the water. Mysticetes consist of four types: [[right whale|Eubalaenids]], [[rorqual]]s, [[cetotheriidae|cetotheriids]], and [[gray whale]]s. Eubalaenids are distinguished by their enlarged head, thick blubber,<ref name="morphology">{{cite journal|url=http://darwin.wcupa.edu/~biology/fish/pubs/pdf/2006jmorph.pdf|title=Morphological Specializations of Baleen Whales Associated With Hydrodynamic Performance and Ecological Niche|journal=Journal of Morphology|year=2006|volume=267|pages=1284–1294|quote=The true buoyancy of a particular whale is dependent upon its body composition, particularly the relative quantities of muscle and blubber tissues. Balaenopterid whales have a higher proportion of muscle tissue and tend to be negatively buoyant while the opposite is true for right whales (Lockyer, 1976).|last1=Woodward|first1=Becky L.|last2=Winn|first2=Jeremy P.|last3=Fish|first3=Frank E.|doi=10.1002/jmor.10474|pmid=17051544|issue=11|s2cid=14231425 }}</ref> and V-shaped blow,<ref name=ADW>{{cite web|url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Eubalaena_glacialis.html|title=Eubalaena glacialis: North Atlantic right whale: Information|publisher=[[University of Michigan]] Museum of Zoology|work=Animal Diversity Web|year=2002|accessdate=April 30, 2006|author=Crane, J.|author2=Scott, R.}}</ref> while rorquals and grey whales generally have a flat head, long throat pleats,<ref name="Worlds">{{cite book|title=The World's Whales: The Complete Illustrated Guide| editor-first1= Stanley M. |editor-last1=Minasian |editor-first2= Kenneth C. |editor-last2= Balcomb|editor-first3= Larry |editor-last3=Foster|page=18|year=1984|publisher=The Smithsonian Institution|url= |place=New York|isbn=0-89599-014-8}}</ref>, and more streamlined than Eubalaenids. Rorquals also tend to be larger than the latter. Two [[genera]] and nine species of rorqual are known to exist, while two genera and three species of Eubalaenid exist.

Eschrichtiidae consists of only one living member: the gray whale. This animal is easily distinguished from other extant cetaceans by its sleet-grey colour, the lack of a dorsal fin, and its grey-white scars (left from parasites). Like rorquals, these use their throat pleats to increase the amount of water that can be in there at any one time to effectively filter out plankton from the water. Grey whales are bottom-feeders, meaning they sift through sand to get their food. They usually turn on their side and scoop up sediment into their mouth and filter out [[benthic]] creatures like [[amphipod]]s. In addition, the two populations, one in the [[Sea of Okhotsk]] and [[Sea of Japan]] and the other in the Mediterranean Sea<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/17453/gray+whale+off+israel+called+most+amazing+sighting+in+history+of+whales|title=Gray whale off Israel called 'most amazing sighting in history of whales'|last=Thomas|first=Pete|date=2010-05-10|publisher=GrindTV.com|accessdate=12 May 2010}}</ref> and East Atlantic<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2013/may/14/grey-whale-walvis-bay-namibia|title=First grey whale spotted south of the Equator|last=Hoare|first=Philip|date=2013-05-14|work=The Guardian|accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref>, are thought to be genetically and physiologically dissimilar.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Nakamura|first1=G.|last2=Kato|first2=H.|year=2014|title=日本沿岸域に近年（1990–2005 年）出現したコククジラEschrichtius robustus の骨学的特徴，特に頭骨形状から見た北太平洋西部系群と東部系群交流の可能性|language=Japanese|url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/mammalianscience/54/1/54_73/_article/-char/ja/|journal=哺乳類科学|volume=54|issue=1|pages=73–88|format=PDF}}</ref> The gray whale is traditionally placed as the only living species in its genus and family. However, [[DNA]] analysis indicates certain [[rorqual]]s, such as the [[humpback whale]], ''Megaptera novaeangliae'', and the [[fin whale]], ''Balaenoptera physalus'', are more closely related to the gray whale than they are to some other rorquals, such as the [[minke whale]].<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Cetacean mitochondrial DNA control region: sequences of all extant baleen whales and two sperm whale species|author=Arnason, U., Gullberg A. & Widegren, B.|journal=Molecular Biology and Evolution|volume=10|pages=960–970|year=1993|pmid=8412655|issue=5|doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a040061 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title=Mitochondrial Phylogenetics and Evolution of Mysticete Whales|author=Sasaki, T. |journal=Systematic Biology|volume=54|issue=1|pages=77–90|year=2005|doi=10.1080/10635150590905939|pmid=15805012|last2=Nikaido|first2=Masato|last3=Hamilton|first3=Healy|last4=Goto|first4=Mutsuo|last5=Kato|first5=Hidehiro|last6=Kanda|first6=Naohisa|last7=Pastene|first7=Luis|last8=Cao|first8=Ying|last9=Fordyce|first9=R.|last10=Hasegawa |first10=Masami |last11=Okada |first11=Norihiro |display-authors=8 }}</ref>

Rorquals consist of two genera ([[Balaenoptera]] and [[Megaptera]]) and nine species: the [[fin whale]], the [[Sei whale]], [[Bryde's whale]], [[Eden's whale]], the [[blue whale]], the [[common minke whale]], the [[Antarctic minke whale]], [[Omura's whale]], and the [[humpback whale]]. Rorquals are different from other mysticetes in that they use throat pleats to expand their mouth which allows them to feed more effectively. However, rorquals need to build up water pressure in order to expand their mouth, leading to a lung-feeding behavior. Lung-feeding is where a whale rams a [[bait ball]] at high speeds and opens its mouth  as it hits the bait ball to reduce drag while accelerating. Rorquals generally have a streamlined physique to reduce drag in the water while foraging.<ref>{{cite journal|first1=J.|last1=Potvin|first2=J. A.| last2= Goldbogen|first3=R. E.|last3=Shadwick|year=2009|title=Passive versus active engulfment: verdict from trajectory simulations of lunge-feeding fin whales ''Balaenoptera physalus''|journal=The Royal Society|volume=6| issue=40|pages=1005–1025|doi=10.1098/rsif.2008.0492|pmid=19158011 |pmc=2827442 }}</ref> In a 2012 review of cetacean taxonomy, Alexandre Hassanin and Anne Ropiquet, et al., suggested that, based on [[phylogeny|phylogenic]] criteria, there are 4 [[extant taxon|extant]] genera of rorquals. They recommend that the genus ''Balaenoptera'' be limited to the fin whale, and have minke whales fall under the genus ''Pterobalaena'', and have ''Rorqualus'' contain the Sei whale, Bryde's whale, Eden's whale, the blue whale, and Omura's whale.<ref>{{cite journal|first1=Alexandre|last1=Hassanina|first2=Frédéric|last2=Delsucc|first3=Anne|last3=Ropiquetd|first4=Catrin|last4=Hammere|first5=Bettine|last5=Jansen van Vuurenf|first6=Conrad|last6=Mattheef|first7=Manuel|last7=Ruiz-Garciag|first8=François|last8=Catzeflisc|first9=Veronika|last9=Areskough|first10=Trung|last10=Thanh Nguyena|first11=Arnaud|last11=Coulouxj|year=2012|title=Histoire évolutive des Cetartiodactyla (Mammalia, Laurasiatheria) racontée par l'analyse des génomes mitochondriaux|language=French|journal=Comptes Rendus Biologies|volume=335|issue=1|pages=32–50|doi=10.1016/j.crvi.2011.11.002|pmid=22226162 |url=https://comptes-rendus.academie-sciences.fr/biologies/articles/10.1016/j.crvi.2011.11.002/ }}</ref>

Eubalaenids are also known as right whale due to whalers preferring them over other species; they were essentially the "right whale" to catch.<ref>{{cite book|title=Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America|first1=Eric Jay|last1=Dolin|publisher=W.W. Norton & Co.|year=2007|isbn=978-0-393-06057-7|page=22|url={{Google books|plainurl=yes|id=KlVe8hYUpU4C|page=22}}|accessdate=30 September 2012}}</ref> These animals rely on their huge head, as opposed to the rorquals' throat pleats, to feed effectively. This feeding behavior allows them to grow very big and bulky, without the necessity for a streamlined body. They usually target prey large enough to be filtered through their baleen plates, and they target large baitballs. Eubalaenids consisted of two types: right whales and bowhead whales. However, recent studies done through the early 2000s reported that bowhead whales and rights whales where morphologically and phylogenically different.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Rosenbaum|first1=H. C.|first2=R. L.|last2=Brownell Jr.|first3=M. W.|last3=Brown|first4=C.|last4=Schaeff| first5=V.|last5=Portway|first6=B.|last6=N. White|first7=S.|last7=Malik|first8=L.|last8=A. Pastene|first9=N. J.|last9=Patenaude|first10=C. S.|last10=Baker|first11=M.|last11=Goto|first12=P.|last12=Best|first13=P. J.|last13=Clapham |first14=P.|last14=Hamilton|first15=M.|last15=Moore|first16=R.|last16=Payne|first17=V.|last17=Rowntree|first18=C.|last18=T. Tynan|first19=J.|last19=L. Bannister|first20=R.|last20=Desalle|year=2000|title=World-wide genetic differentiation of ''Eubalaena'': Questioning the number of right whale species|journal=Molecular Ecology|volume=9|issue=11|pages=1793–802|url=http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-294x.2000.01066.x/pdf|doi=10.1046/j.1365-294x.2000.01066.x|format=PDF|pmid=11091315|bibcode=2000MolEc...9.1793R |s2cid=7166876 }}</ref>

Cetotheriidae consists of only one living member: the pygmy right whale. This animal is easily confused with minke whales due to their similar characteristics. The pygmy right whale is very elusively seen in the wild and, consequently, little is known about its feeding behavior and much of what is known about them comes from [[cetacean stranding|stranded]] individuals. Despite its name, the pygmy right whale is more genetically to rorquals and grey whales than to other right whales, named simply because its bones resemble that of right whales.<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals|chapter=Pygmy right whale|author=Kemper, Catherine|editor1=Perrin, W.|editor2=Wursig, B.|editor3=Thewissen, J.|publisher=Academic Press|year=2008|pages=939–941|isbn=978-0080919935}}</ref> A study published in 2012 that, based on bone structure, moved the pygmy right whale from the (now empty) family Neobalaenidae to the family [[Cetotheriidae]], making it a [[living fossil]].<ref>{{cite journal|first1=R.|last1=E. Fordyce|first2=Felix|last2=G. Marx|year=2012|title=The pygmy right whale ''Caperea marginata'': the last of the cetotheres|journal=The Royal Society|volume=280|issue=1753|doi=10.1098/rspb.2012.2645|pmid=23256199 |pmc=3574355 |url=http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/280/1753/20122645}}</ref>

{{larger|'''Evolutionary history'''}}

[[File:Janjucetus BW.jpg|thumb|right|Restoration of ''[[Janjucetus hunderi]]'']]
Mysticetes [[Cladogenesis|split]] from Odontoceti (toothed whales) 34 [[Mya (unit)|mya]] during the [[Eocene]]. Their evolutionary link to archaic toothed cetaceans ([[Archaeoceti]]) remained unknown until ''[[Janjucetus hunderi]]'' was discovered in the early 1990s in [[Victoria, Australia|Victoria]]. Like a modern baleen whale, ''Janjucetus'' had baleen present in its jaw and had very little [[biosonar]] capabilities. However, its jaw also contained teeth, with incisors and canines built for stabbing and molars and premolars built for tearing. These early mysticetes were exceedingly small compared to modern baleen whales, with species like ''Mammalodon'' measuring no greater than the height of three meters. It is thought that size and baleen dependence are linked.<ref>{{cite journal|first=Erich|last=M.G. Fitzgerald|year=2010|title=The morphology and systematics of ''Mammalodon colliveri'' (Cetacea: Mysticeti), a toothed mysticete from the Oligocene of Australia|journal=Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society|volume=158|issue=2|pages=367–476|doi=10.1111/j.1096-3642.2009.00572.x}}</ref> The discovery of ''Janjucetus'' and others like it suggests that baleen evolution went through several transitional phases.

[[File:Llanocetus denticrinatus.jpg|thumb|Llanocetus skull]]
''[[Llanocetus]]'', known from the late Eocene of [[Seymour Island]], [[West Antarctica]], is the earliest mysticete. It is a large animal with a basilosaurid-like skull with several mysticete-like features, including a wide, flat, and dorsoventrally flattened rostrum. Its jaw had heterodont teeth separated by wide diastemata, the cheek teeth are two-rooted and palmate with accessory denticles. Additionally, fine grooves around the alveoli indicate that the [[palate]] had a rich blood supply. ''Llanocetus'' has been interpreted as a filter feeder. Other early toothed mysticeti or "archaeomysticetes" from the Oligocene are the [[Mammalodontidae]] (''[[Mammalodon]]'' and ''[[Janjucetus]]'') from Australia. They are small with shortened rostra, and a primitive dental formula ({{DentalFormula|upper=3.1.4.3|lower=3.1.4.3}}).<ref name="Uhen-2010">{{Harvnb|Uhen|2010|pp=208–210}}</ref> In baleen whales, enlarged oral cavities adapted for [[suction feeding]] evolved before specializations for bulk [[filter feeding]]. In the early [[Eocene]] [[Basilosauridae|basilosaurid]] ''[[Saghacetus]]'', the [[mandibular symphysis]] is long and rigid, the [[Rostrum (anatomy)|rostrum]] is narrow, and the edges of the [[maxilla]]e are thickened, indicating an adaptation for predatory feeding. In the toothed [[Oligocene]] [[Mammalodontidae|mammalodontid]] ''[[Janjucetus]]'', the [[symphysis]] is short and the oral cavity enlarged, the rostrum is wide, and the edges of the maxillae are thin, indicating an adaptation for suction feeding. The [[Aetiocetidae|aetiocetid]] ''[[Chonecetus]]'' still had teeth, but the presence of a groove on the interior side of each mandible indicates the symphysis was elastic, which would have enabled rotation of each mandible, an initial adaptation for bulk feeding like in modern mysticetes.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fitzgerald|2012|loc=Fig. 2}}</ref>

The [[Lineage (evolution)|lineages]] of rorquals and right whales split almost 20&nbsp;mya. Is is unknown where this occurred, but it is largely thought that they, like their descendants, followed plankton migrations. These primitive mysticetes had lost their [[heterodont]] dentition in favor of baleen, and are thought to have lived on a specialized [[benthic]], [[plankton]], or [[copepod]] diet like modern mysticetes. Mysticetes experienced their first [[evolutionary radiation|radiation]] in the mid-Miocene. Balaenopterids got bigger during this time, with species like ''Balaenoptera sibbaldina'' rivaling the blue whale in terms of size.<ref>{{cite journal| last1 = Deméré | first1 = Thomas A.| last2 = Berta | first2 = Annalisa| last3 = McGowen | first3 = Michael R. | year = 2005| title = The taxonomic and evolutionary history of fossil and modern balaenopteroid mysticetes| journal = Journal of Mammalian Evolution| volume=12 | issue=1 | pages=99–143| doi = 10.1007/s10914-005-6944-3| s2cid = 90231|url= https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225533143}}</ref> It is thought this radiation was caused by global climate change and major tectonic activity (the [[Antarctic Circumpolar Current]]).<ref>{{cite journal|first1=Mette|last1=E. Steeman|first2=Martin|last2=B. Hebsgaard|first3=R.|last3=E. Fordyce|first4=Simon|last4=Y. W. Ho| first5=Daniel|last5=L. Rabosky|first6=Rasmus|last6=Nielsen|first7=Carsten|last7=Rahbek|first8=Henrik|last8=Glenner|first9=Martin|last9=V. Sørensen|first10=Eske|last10=Willerslev|year=2009|title=Radiation of Extant Cetaceans Driven by Restructuring of the Oceans|journal=Systematic Biology|volume=58|issue=6|pages=573–585|doi=10.1093/sysbio/syp060|pmid=20525610 |pmc=2777972 }}</ref>

[[File:VMNH megalodon.jpg|thumb|left|[[Eomysticetus|Eomysticetes]] were often hunted by [[Megalodon|large sharks]] and [[killer sperm whale]]s]]
The first toothless ancestors of Mysticetes appeared before the first radiation in the late [[Oligocene]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Sanders|Barnes|2002}}</ref> ''[[Eomysticetus]]'' and others like it showed no evidence in the skull of echolocation abilities, suggesting they mainly relied on their eyesight for navigation. The Eomysticetidae had long, flat rostra that lacked teeth and had external nares located halfway up the dorsal side of the snout. Though the palate is not well-preserved in these specimens, they are thought to have had baleen and been filter feeders.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Fitzgerald|first=Erich M. G.|title=A bizarre new toothed mysticete (Cetacea) from Australia and the early evolution of baleen whales|year=2006|journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society|volume=273|issue=1604|pages=2955–2963|doi=10.1098/rspb.2006.3664|pmid=17015308|pmc=1639514}}</ref><ref name="Uhen-2010" />

{{large|'''Anatomy'''}}
----
[[File:Baleen whale sizes.JPG|thumb|Baleen whales vary considerably in size and shape, depending on their feeding behavior]]
Baleen whale have two flippers on the front, near the head. The hind legs are enclosed inside the body, and are thought to be [[vestigial organs]]. However, a study done in 2014 suggests that the pelvic bone serves as support for whale [[genitalia]].<ref>{{cite journal|first1=James|last1=P. Dines|first2=Erik|last2=Otárola-Castillo|first3=Peter|last3=Ralph|first4=Jesse|last4=Alas|first5=Timothy|last5=Daley|first6=Andrew|last6=D. Smith|first7=Matthew |last7=D. Dean|year=2014|title=Sexual selection targets cetacean pelvic bone|journal=Journal of Organic Evolution|volume=68|issue=11|pages=3296–3306|doi=10.1111/evo.12516|pmid=25186496 |pmc=4213350 }}</ref> Due to their great size, baleen whales are not flexible or agile like dolphins, and none can turn their due to the fused [[cervical vertebrae]]; this sacrifices speed for stability in the water. Rorquals, needing to build speed to feed, have several adaptions for reducing [[Drag (physics)|drag]], including a streamlined body, a small dorsal fin relative to its size, and lack of external ear or hair. While feeding, the rorqual jaw expands to a volume that can be bigger than the whale itself; to do this, the [[oral cavity]] inflates to expand the mouth. The inflation of the oral cavity causes the cavum ventrale, the folds (throat pleats) on the throat stretching to the [[bellybutton|naval]], to expand, increasing the amount of water that the mouth can store.<ref name=Vogle>{{cite journal|first1=A.|last1=W. Vogle|first2=Margo|last2=A. Lillie|first3=Marina|last3=A. Piscitelli|first4=Jeremy|last4=A. Goldbogen|first5=Nicholas |last5=D. Pyenson|first6=Robert|last6=E. Shadwick|year=2015|title=Stretchy nerves are an essential component of the extreme feeding mechanism of rorqual whales|journal=Current Biology|volume=25|issue=9|pages=360–361|doi=10.1016/j.cub.2015.03.007|pmid=25942546 }}</ref> The [[mandible]] is connected to the skull by dense fibers and cartilage, allowing the jaw to swing open at almost a 90° angle. The [[mandibular symphysis]] is also [[fibrocartilage|fibrocartilaginous]], allowing the jaw to bend which lets in more water.<ref name=Goldbogen2010>{{cite journal|url=http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/pub/the-ultimate-mouthful-lunge-feeding-in-rorqual-whales/|first=Jeremy|last=A. Goldbogen|year=2010|title=The Ultimate Mouthful: Lunge Feeding in Rorqual Whales|journal=American Scientist|volume=98|number=2|page=124|doi=10.1511/2010.83.124}}</ref> To prevent stretching the mouth too far, rorquals have a sensory organ located in the middle of the jaw to regulate these functions.<ref name=Welsh2012>{{cite newsgroup|url=http://www.livescience.com/20527-whale-mouth-organ.html|first=Jennifer|last=Welsh|year=2012|title=Whale's Big Gulp Aided by Newfound Organ |accessdate=23 January 2016}}</ref>

When swimming, baleen whales rely on their flippers for locomotion in a wing-like manner similar to [[penguin]]s and [[sea turtles]]. Flipper movement is continuous. While doing this, baleen whales use their tail fluke to propel themselves forward through vertical motion while using their flipper for steering, much like an [[otter]]. Some species [[Cetacean surfacing behaviour#Breaching and lunging|leap]] out of the water, which may allow then to travel faster.<ref>{{cite book|url={{Google books|plainurl=yes|id=zcycBAAAQBAJ|page=PA245}}|first1=Annalisa|last1=Berta|first2=James|last2=L. Sumich|first3=Kit|last3=M. Kovacs|year=2015|title=Marine Mammals: Evolutionary Biology|chapter=Musculoskeletal System and Locomotion|edition=3|page=245|publisher=Elsevier Science |isbn=978-0-12-397002-2}}</ref>

{{Multiple image
 | align = right
 | image1 = Anim0944 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg
 | image2 = Eubalaena blow.jpg
 | footer = Paired blowholes of a humpback and the V-shaped blow of a right whale}}
Like all mammals, baleen whales breathe air and must surface periodically to do so. Their nostrils, or [[blowhole (biology)|blowholes]], are situated at the top of the cranium. The baleen whales have two blowholes, as opposed to toothed whales which have one. These paired blowholes are longitudinal slits that converge anteriorly and widen posteriorly, which causes a V-shaped blow. They are surrounded by a fleshy ridge that keeps water away while the whale breathes. The septum that separates the blowholes has two plugs attached to it, making the blowholes water-tight while the whale dives.<ref>{{Harvnb|Tinker|1988|p=66}}</ref>

When sieved from the water, food is swallowed and travels down through the [[esophagus]] where it meets a three-chambered-stomach. The first compartment is known as the fore-stomach; this is where food gets ground up into an acidic liquid, which is then squirted into the main stomach. Like in humans, the food is mixed with [[hydrochloric acid]] and protein-digesting enzymes. Then, the partly digested food is moved into the third stomach, in which fat-digesting enzymes, and then mixed with an alkaline liquid to neutralize the acid from the first stomach to prevent damage to the [[intestinal tract]]. The whale intestinal track is highly adapted to absorb the most nutrients from food; the walls are folded and contain copious blood vessels, allowing for a greater surface area over which digested food and water can be absorbed. Whales get the water they need from their food, however the salt content of most of their prey, invertebrates, are similar to that of seawater, whereas the salt content of a whale's blood is considerably lower (three times lower) than that of seawater. The whale kidney is adapted to excreting excess salt, however, while producing urine more concentrated than seawater, it wastes a lot of water which must be replaced.<ref name=Cavendish>{{Harvnb|Cavendish|2010|loc=pg. 101}}</ref>

{{larger|'''Senses'''}}

The eyes of baleen whales are relatively small for their size and are positioned near the end of the mouth. This is probably because they feed on slow or immobile prey, and that most sunlight does not pass {{convert|30|ft|m}}, and hence does not need acute vision. A whale's eye is adapted for seeing both in the [[photic zone|photic]] and [[aphotic zone|aphotic]] zones by increasing or decreasing the pupil's size to prevent damage to the eye. As opposed to land mammals, whales have spherical eyeballs. The retina is surrounding by reflective layer of cells ([[tapetum lucidum]]), which bounces back at the retina, enhancing eyesight in dark areas. However, light is bent more near the surface of the eye when in air as opposed to water; consequently, they can see much better in the air than in the water. The eyeballs are protected by a thick outer layer to prevent abrasions, and an oily fluid (instead if tears) on the surface of the eye. Baleen whales appear to have limited color vision, as they lack [[cone cell|S-cones]].<ref name=Cavendish>{{Harvnb|Cavendish|2010|loc=pg. 95}}</ref>
[[File:Humpback Whale skeleton.jpg|thumb|left|Humpback whale skeleton, notice how the jaw is split into two]]
The mysticete ear is adapted for hearing underwater, where it can hear sound frequencies as low as 7 [[hertz|Hz]] and as high as 22 [[kilohertz|kHz]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/AE439D96-BD72-4D1E-BB99-0C8E228E0F13/0/BA_MarineNoiseFrequ.pdf|author=Washington State Department of Transport|title=Estimated Auditory Bandwidths for Marine Mammals and Fish|work=wsdot.wa.gov|accessdate=24 January 2016}}</ref> with the exception of the [[52-hertz whale]].<ref>{{cite newsgroup|url= http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150415-the-loneliest-whale-in-the-world|first=Chris|last=Baraniuk|year=2015|title=The world's loneliest whale may not be so lonely after all}}</ref> It is largely unknown how sound is received by baleen whales. Unlike in toothed whales, sound does not pass through the lower jaw. The [[auditory meatus]] is blocked by [[connective tissue]] and an ear plug, which connects to the [[eardrum]]. The inner-ear bones are contained in the [[tympanic bulla]], a bony capsule. However, this is attached to the skull, suggesting that vibrations passing through the bone is important. [[Sinus]]es may reflect vibrations towards the [[cochlea]]. It is known that when the fluid inside the cochlea is disturbed by vibrations, it triggers sensory hairs which send electrical current to the brain, where vibrations are processed into sound.<ref name=Cavendish>{{Harvnb|Cavendish|2010|loc=pg. 96}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|first1=Maya|last1=Yamato|first2=Darlene|last2=R. Ketten|first3=Julie |last3=Arruda|first4=Scott|last4=Cramer|first5=Kathleen|last5=Moore|year=2012|title=The Auditory Anatomy of the Minke Whale (''Balaenoptera acutorostrata''): A Potential Fatty Sound Reception Pathway in a Baleen Whale|journal=The Anatomical Record|volume=29|issue=6|pages=991–998|doi=10.1002/ar.22459|pmid=22488847 |pmc=3488298 }}</ref>

It is largely unknown how baleen whales produce sound due to the lack of a [[melon (cetacean)|melon]] and [[vocal cord]]s. In a 2007 study, it was discovered that the [[larynx]] had U-shaped folds which are thought to be similar to vocal cords. They are positioned parallel to air flow, as opposed to the perpendicular vocal cords of terrestrial mammals. These may control air flow and cause vibrations. The walls of the larynx are able to contract which may generate sound with support from the [[arytenoid cartilages]]. The muscles surrounding the larynx may expel air rapidly or maintain a constant volume while diving.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=S. Reidenberg|first1=J.|last2=T. Laitman|first2=J.|year=2007|title=Discovery of a low frequency sound source in Mysticeti (baleen whales): anatomical establishment of a vocal fold homolog|journal=The Anatomical Record|volume=290|issue=6|pages=745–759|doi=10.1002/ar.20544|pmid=17516447}}</ref>

Baleen whales have a small, yet functional, [[Jacobson's organ]]. This allows baleen whales to detect chemical and pheromones released by their prey. It is thought that tasting the water is important for finding prey, and track down other whales. They are thought to have an impaired sense of smell due to the lack of the [[olfactory bulb]], but they do have an [[olfactory tract]].<ref name=Cavendish>{{Harvnb|Cavendish|2010|loc=pg. 94}}</ref> Baleen whales have little to no [[taste bud]]s, suggesting they have lost their sense of taste.<ref>{{cite newsgroup|url=http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2014/05/whales-cant-taste-anything-salt|first=Nsikan |last=Akpan|year=2014|title=Whales Can't Taste Anything But Salt|accessdate=23 January 2016}}</ref>

{{larger|'''Diving adaptations'''}}

Before diving, baleen whales typically stay near the surface and take 10 to 15 breaths for around three minutes and dive for eight minutes. Their unique lungs are built to collapse under the pressure instead of resisting the pressure would damage the lungs. The whale lungs are very efficient at extracting oxygen from the air, usually 80%, whereas humans only extract 20% of oxygen from inhaled air. Lung volume is relatively low compared to terrestrial mammals due to the inability of the respiratory tract to hold gas while diving. Doing so may cause serious complications such as [[embolism]]. Unlike other mammals, the lungs of baleen whales lack lobes and are more sacculated shaped. Like in humans, the left lung is smaller than the right to make room for the heart.<ref>{{cite book|url={{Google books|plainurl=yes|id=vMzZCgAAQBAJ|page=39}}|first=Paul|last=J. Ponganis|year=2015|title=Diving Physiology of Marine Mammals and Seabirds|chapter=Challenges of the environment|page=39|publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-76555-8}}</ref> To conserve oxygen, blood is rerouted from pressure-tolerant-tissue to internal organs,<ref>{{cite journal|last1=R. Norena|first1=S.|last2=M. Williams|year=2000|title=Body size and skeletal muscle myoglobin of cetaceans: adaptations for maximizing dive duration|journal=Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-molecular & Integrative Physiology|volume=126|issue=2|pages=181–191|doi=10.1016/S1095-6433(00)00182-3|pmid=10936758}}</ref> and they have a high concentration of [[myoglobin]] which allow them to hold their breath longer.<ref>{{cite book|last1=L. Nelson|first1=D. |last2=M. Cox|first2=M.|title=Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry|publisher=Worth Publishers|location=New York|year=2008|page=206|edition=3rd|isbn=978-0-7167-6203-4|url={{Google books|plainurl=yes|id=5Ek9J4p3NfkC|page=206}}}}</ref>

{{larger|'''Thermoregulation'''}}

Baleen whales conserve heat with their large and compact body size, and insulating blubber. In addition, they have a dense network of blood vessels ([[rete mirabile]]) which prevents heat-loss. In most mammals, heat is lost in their extremities, so warm blood in arteries is surrounded by veins to prevent heat loss during transport. As well as this, heat inevitably given off by the arteries warms blood in the surrounding veins as it travels back into the core. This is otherwise known as [[countercurrent exchange]]. To counteract overheating while in warmer waters, whales reroute blood to the skin to accelerate heat-loss.<ref name=Cavendish>{{Harvnb|Cavendish|2010|loc=pg. 99}}</ref>

{{larger|'''Sleep'''}}

Unlike most animals, whales are conscious breathers. All mammals sleep, but whales cannot afford to become unconscious for long because they may drown. They are thought exhibit [[unihemispheric slow-wave sleep]], in which they sleep with half of the brain while the half remains active. This behavior was only documented in toothed whales until footage of a humpback whale sleeping (vertically) was shot in 2014.<ref>{{cite newsgroup|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/11/humpback-whale-sleep-video_n_5970296.html|first=Dominique|last=Mosbergen|year=2014|title=Sleeping Humpback Whale Captured In Rare Footage|accessdate=23 January 2016}}</ref>

{{large|'''Behavior'''}}
----
Baleen whales, being fully aquatic, spend their lives in the water; unable to haul themselves onto shore, they must raise young, molt, rest, and thermoregulate in the water. Several species are known to migrate vast distances,  to calving grounds in tropical waters, and each species has their own breeding season. The migration cycle is repeated annually.<ref name=Aidley>{{cite book|url={{Google books|plainurl=yes|id=wCE4AAAAIAAJ|page=111}} |first=D.|last=J. Aidley|year=1981|title=Animal Migration|chapter=The Migration of Whales|page=111|publisher=CUP Archive |isbn=0-521-23274-0}}</ref> The gray whale has the longest recorded migration of any mammal, with one travelling {{convert|14,000|mi|km}} from the [[Sea of Okhotsk]] to the [[Baja peninsula]].<ref>{{cite newsgroup|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/04/150414-gray-whale-pacific-migration-endangered-ocean-animal-science/|first=Jane|last=J. Lee|year=2015|title=A Gray Whale Breaks The Record For Longest Mammal Migration|accessdate=23 January 2016}}</ref> 

{{larger|'''Foraging'''}}

[[File:Humpback lunge feeding.jpg|thumb|Humpback whales lunge-feeding]]
All baleen whales are carnivorous and predatory. Different kinds of prey are found in different abundances depending on location, for example, Antarctic residents mostly feed on [[Euphausiid]]s, however this is mainly effective for lunge-feeders, whereas gulp-feeders, like the right whales, feed primarily on [[copepod]]s. Each type of whale is adapted to a specialized way of foraging. They feed solitarily or in small groups. There are two types of feeding behaviors: gulp-feeding and lunge-feeding, but some species do both depending on the type and amount of food.<ref>{{cite book|url={{Google books|plainurl=yes|id=Wn2gcNvYNrsC|page=245}}|first=John|last=H. Steele|year=1970|title=Marine Food Chains|chapter=Feeding pattern of baleen whales in the ocean|pages=245–247|publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0520-01397-1}}</ref> Baleen whales get the water they need from their food, and their kidneys excrete excess salt.<ref name=Cavendish>{{Harvnb|Cavendish|2010|loc=pg. 101}}</ref>

Lunge-feeders are all classified under the families Balaeonopteridae (rorquals) and Cetotheriidae (pygmy right whale). To feed, lunge-feeders expand the volume of their jaw to a volume bigger than the original volume of the whale itself; to do this, the oral cavity inflates to expand the mouth. The inflation of the oral cavity causes the throat pleats to expand, increasing the amount of water that the mouth can store.<ref name=Vogle/> Just before they ram the baitball, the jaw swings open at almost a 90° angle and bends which lets in more water.<ref name=Goldbogen2010/> To prevent stretching the mouth too far, rorquals have a sensory organ located in the middle of the jaw to regulate these functions.<ref name=Welsh2012/> They then must decelerate. This process takes a lot of mechanical work, and is only energy-effective when used against a large [[baitball]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=Mechanics, hydrodynamics and energetics of blue whale lunge feeding: efficiency dependence on krill density|first1=J.|last1=A. Goldbogen|first2=J.|last2=Calambokidis|first3=E.|last3=Oleson|first4=J.|last4=Potvin|first5=N.|last5=D. Pyenson|first6= G.|last6=Schorr |first7=R.|last7=E. Shadwick|journal=Journal of Experimental Biology|year=2011|volume=214|issue=Pt 1 |pages=131–146|doi=10.1242/jeb.048157|pmid=21147977 }}</ref> Gulp-feeders, or skim-feeders, are all classified under the family Balaenidae (right whales) and Eschrichtiidae (gray whale). To feed, gulp-feeders swim with an open mouth, filling it with water and prey. Prey must occur in sufficient numbers to trigger the whale's interest, be within a certain size range so that the baleen plates can filter it, and be slow enough that it cannot escape. The "skimming" may take place on the surface, underwater, or even at the ocean's bottom, indicated by mud occasionally observed on right whales' bodies. Gray whales feed primarily on the ocean's bottom, feeding on [[benthic]] creatures.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kenney|first=Robert D.|editor=William F. Perrin, Bernd Wursig and J. G. M. Thewissen|title=The Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals|year=2002|publisher=Academic Press|isbn=0-12-551340-2|pages=806–813|chapter=North Atlantic, North Pacific and Southern Right Whales}}</ref> 

{{larger|'''Predation and parasitism'''}}

[[File:Orange whale lice right whale.jpg|thumb|left|Orange [[Whale louse|whale lice]] on a right whale]]
Baleen whales, due to their great size, do not have any natural predators. However, calves can be preyed on by the [[killer whale]]. It is thought that annual whale migration occurs to protect the calves from the killer whales.<ref>{{cite book|last=Estes|first=James|editor=Perrin, William F.|others=Wursig, Bernd & Thewissen, J. G.M.|title=Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals|url={{Google books|plainurl=yes|id=2rkHQpToi9sC|page=360}}|date=February 26, 2009|publisher=Academic Press|isbn=978-0-08-091993-5|pages=357–361|chapter=Ecological effects of marine mammals}}</ref> There have also been reports of a pod attacking and killing an adult bowhead whale, holding down its flippers, covering the blowhole, ramming, and biting until dead.<ref>{{cite journal| first1=Steven|last1=H. Ferguson|first2=Jeff|last2=W. Higdon|first3=Kristin|last3=H. Westdal|year=2012|title=Prey items and predation behavior of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in Nunavut, Canada based on Inuit hunter interviews| journal=Aquatic Biosystems|volume=8 |issue=1 |page=3 |doi= 10.1186/2046-9063-8-3 |bibcode=2012AqBio...8....3F |doi-access=free }}</ref> Generally, a mother and calf pair, when faced with the threat of a killer whale pod, will either fight or flee. The fleeing response will only occur in species that can swim away quickly: the rorquals. For the slower whales, they must fight the pod alone or with a small family group.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=John|last1=K. B. Ford|first2=Randall|last2=R. Reeves|year=2008|title=Fight or flight: antipredator strategies of baleen whales|journal=Mammal Review|volume=38|issue=1|pages=50–86|doi=10.1111/j.1365-2907.2008.00118.x}}</ref> Large sharks are another predator of whale calves. Sharks rarely attack whale calves, and there has been only one report of a shark attacking and killing a whale calf. This occurred in 2014 during the [[sardine run]] when a shiver of [[dusky shark]]s attacked a humpback whale calf.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn28677-sharks-seen-hunting-and-killing-a-whale-for-the-first-time/|first1=M.|last1=L. Dicken|first2=A.| last2=A. Kock|first3=M.|last3=Hardenberg|year=2015|title=First observations of dusky sharks (''Carcharhinus obscurus'') attacking a humpback whale (''Megaptera novaeangliae'') calf|journal=Marine and Freshwater Research |volume=66|issue=12|pages=1211–1215|doi=10.1071/MF14317}}</ref> Usually, the only shark threat to a whale is getting bitten by a [[cookie cutter shark]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Martin|first=R.A.|url=http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/shark_profiles/squaliformes.htm|title=Squaliformes Dogfish Sharks|work=ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research|accessdate=24 January 2016}}</ref>

Many parasites latch onto whales, notably [[whale lice]] and [[whale barnacle]]s. Though not a parasite, whale barnacles latch onto the skin of a whale during its [[larval stage]]. However, in doing so it does not harm nor benefit the whale. Due to this, their relationship is often labeled as an example of [[commensalism]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/2/1/92|first1=Yasuyuki|last1=Nogata|first2=Kiyotaka |last2=Matsumura|year=2006|title=Larval development and settlement of a whale barnacle|journal=Biology Letters|volume=2|issue=1|pages=92–93|doi=10.1098/rsbl.2005.0409|pmid=17148335|pmc=1617185}}</ref> Almost all species of whale lice are specialized towards a certain species of whale, and there can be more than one species per whale. Whale lice eat dead skin, resulting in minor wounds in the skin. Whale louse infestations are especially evident in right whales, where colonies propagate on their [[callosities]].<ref>{{cite book|url={{Google books|plainurl=yes|id=CAq5BgAAQBAJ|page=457}}|first1=George|last1=A. Feldhamer|first2=Lee|last2=C. Drickamer|first3=Stephen |last3=H. Vessey|first4=Joseph|last4=F. Merritt|first5=Carey|last5=Krajewski|year=2015|title=Mammology: Adaptation, Diversity, Ecology|chapter=Cetacea|page=457|publisher=JHU Press |isbn=978-1-4214-1588-8}}</ref> A species of copepod, ''Balaenophilus unisetus'', inhabits baleen plates of whales in tropical waters. A species of Antarctic [[diatom]], ''Cocconeis ceticola'', forms a [[biofilm|film]] on the skin, which takes a month to develop. They are also plagued by internal parasites such as [[Anisakis|stomach worms]], [[cestode]]s, nematodes, [[liver fluke]]s, and [[acanthocephala]]ns. <ref>{{cite book|first1=William|last1=F. Perrin|first2=Bernd|last2=Wursig|first3=J.G.M.|last3=H. Thewissen|title=Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals|edition=2|chapter=Baleen whales|url={{Google books| plainurl=yes|id=2rkHQpToi9sC|page=85}}|page=85|isbn=978-0-12-373553-9}}</ref>

{{larger|'''Reproduction'''}}

[[File:Anim1750 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg|thumb|Female right whale with calf]]
Before reaching adulthood, baleen whales grow at an extraordinary rate. In the [[blue whale]], the largest species, the fetus grows by some {{convert|100|kg|abbr=on}}/day just before delivery, and by {{convert|80|kg|abbr=on}}/day during suckling. Before weaning, the calf increases its body weight by {{convert|17|tonnes|abbr=on}} and grows from {{convert|7|–|8|m|ft|abbr=on}} at birth to {{convert|13|–|16|m|ft|abbr=on}} long. When it reaches sexual maturity after 5–10 years, it will be {{convert|20|to|24|m|ft|abbr=on}} long and possibly live as long as 80–90 years.<ref name="Bannister-2008-5">{{Harvnb|Bannister|2008|loc=Life History}}</ref> Calves are born [[precocial]], needing to be able to swim to the surface at the moment of its birth. 

The same life pattern can be seen in other balaenopterids; they mate in warm waters in winter to give birth almost a year later.<ref name=Aidley/> A 7– to 11-month lactation period is normally followed by a year of rest before mating starts again. Adults normally start reproducing when 5–10 years old and reach their full length after 20–30 years.<ref name="rice77">{{cite journal | author = Rice, D. W. | year = 1977 | title = Synopsis of biological data on the sei whale and Bryde's whale in the eastern North Pacific | journal = Rep. Int. Whal. Commn | volume = Spec. Iss. 1 | pages = 92–97|url=http://iwc.int/cache/downloads/c1sba1yi9rwc4oo440o40o04w/RIWC-SI-1-pp92-97.pdf | accessdate = November 2013}}</ref><ref name=AguilarLockyer1987>{{Cite journal | last1 = Aguilar | first1 = A. | last2 = Lockyer | first2 = C. H. | year = 1987 | title = Growth, physical maturity, and mortality of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) inhabiting the temperate waters of the northeast Atlantic | journal =Canadian Journal of Zoology | volume = 65 | issue = 2 | pages = 253–264 | url = http://iwc.int/cache/downloads/77x3bhkikzwosswkg0ckg0kco/RIWC-SI-1-pp140-150.pdf | accessdate = November 2013 | doi=10.1139/z87-040}}</ref><ref name=Ohsumi1977>{{Cite journal | last = Ohsumi | first = S. | year = 1977 | title = Bryde's whales in the pelagic whaling ground of the North Pacific | journal = Rep. Int. Whal. Commn. | pages = 140–9 | url = http://iwc.int/cache/downloads/77x3bhkikzwosswkg0ckg0kco/RIWC-SI-1-pp140-150.pdf | accessdate = November 2013}}</ref> In the smallest balaenopterid, the [[minke whale]], {{convert|3|m|abbr=on}} calves are born after a 10-month pregnancy and weaning lasts until it has reached about {{convert|5|–|5.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} after 6–7 months.<ref name=Reynolds1999>Reynolds, J. E., & Rommel, S. A. (1999). ''Biology of marine mammals''. Washington, Smithsonian Institution Press.</ref> Unusual for a baleen whale, female minkes (and humpbacks) can become pregnant immediately after giving birth; in most species, there is a 2-to-3-year calving period. In right whales, the calving interval is usually 3 years. [[Bowhead whale|Bowheads]] grow very rapidly during their first year, after which they hardly increase in size for several years. They reach sexual maturity when {{convert|13|-|14|m|abbr=on}} long. Some 19th-century harpoons found in harvested bowheads indicate this species can live more than 100 years. Baleen whales are [[r/K selection theory|K-strategists]], meaning they raise one calf at a time, have a long life-expectancy, and a low infant mortality rate.<ref>{{cite book|first1=John|last1=H. Duffus|first2= Douglas|last2=M. Templeton|first3=Monica|last3=Nordberg|year=2009|title=Concepts in Toxicology|url={{Google books|plainurl=yes|id=MK2WC70lu3MC|page=171}}|page=171|isbn=978-0-85404-157-2}}</ref>

{{larger|'''Intelligence'''}}

Unlike their toothed whale counterparts, baleen whales are hard to study due to their immense size. Intelligence tests such as the [[mirror test]] cannot be done as they have done in dolphins, because their bulk and lack of body language makes a reaction impossible to be definitive. However, studies on the brains of humpback whales revealed [[spindle cell]]s, which, in humans, control [[theory of mind]]. Due to this, it is thought that baleen whales, or at least the humpback whale, have [[animal consciousness]].<ref>{{cite journal|pmid=19412956|last1=Butti|first1=C.|doi=10.1002/cne.22055|last2=C. Sherwood|first2=C.|last3=Y. Hakeem|first3=A.|last4=M. Allman|first4=J.|last5=R. Hof|first5=P.|title=Total number and volume of Von Economo neurons in the cerebral cortex of cetaceans.|journal=The Journal of Comparative Neurology|volume=515|issue=2|year=2009|pages=243–259|s2cid=6876656 }}</ref>

{{large|'''Relationship with humans'''}}
----

{{larger|'''Whaling'''}}

[[File:Blue Whale population, Pengo.svg|thumb|right |World population graph of [[blue whale]]s|alt=Diagram showing blue whale population trend through the 1900s]]
[[Whaling]] by humans has existed since the [[Stone Age]]. Ancient whalers used [[harpoon]]s to spear the  bigger animals from boats out at sea.<ref name=BBCrockart>{{cite newsgroup |title=Rock art hints at whaling origins |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3638853.stm|year=2004|accessdate=25 January 2016|quote=Stone Age people may have started hunting whales as early as 6,000 BC, new evidence from South Korea suggests.}}</ref> People from [[Norway]] started hunting whales around 2000 B.C., and people from [[Japan]] began hunting whales in the [[Pacific]] at least as early.<ref name=NatGeog/> Whales are typically hunted for their [[whale meat|meat]] and blubber by aboriginal groups; they used baleen for baskets or roofing, and made tools and masks out of bones.<ref name=NatGeog/> The Inuit hunted whales in the Arctic Ocean.<ref name=NatGeog>{{cite web |last1=Marrero |first1=Meghan E. |last2=Thornton |first2=Stuart |title=Big Fish: A Brief History of Whaling |url=https://education.nationalgeographic.com/news/big-fish-history-whaling/ |publisher=National Geographic |year=2011 |accessdate=25 January 2016}}</ref> The [[History of Basque whaling|Basques]] started whaling as early as the 11th century, sailing as far as [[Newfoundland]] in the 16th century in search of [[right whales]].<ref name="Ford">{{cite news |author=Ford, Catherine |year=2015 |newspaper=The Monthly: Australian politics, societies, and cultures |title=A Savage History: Whaling in the South Pacific and Southern Oceans |url=https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2013/july/1372600800/catherine-ford/savage-history-whaling-pacific-and-southern-oceans}}</ref><ref name=Barkham1994>{{cite book|year=1994|title=Basque whaling in Labrador in the 16th century|pages=260–286}}</ref> 18th and 19th century whalers hunted down whales mainly for their [[whale oil|oil]], which was used as lamp fuel and a lubricant and [[baleen|baleen or whalebone]], which was used for items such as [[corset]]s and [[crinoline|skirt hoops]],<ref name=NatGeog/> The most successful whaling nations at this time were [[Holland]], [[Japan]], and the [[United States]].<ref name="Whale products">{{cite web |url=https://www.whalingmuseum.org/learn/research-topics/overview-of-north-american-whaling/whales-hunting |title=Whale products |publisher=New Bedford Whaling Museum |accessdate=25 January 2016}}</ref>

Commercial whaling was historically important as an industry well throughout the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Whaling was at that time a sizeable European industry with ships from Britain, France, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany, sometimes collaborating to hunt whales in the Arctic, sometimes in competition leading even to war.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Stonehouse|first1=Bernard|title=British Arctic whaling: an overview|url=https://www.hull.ac.uk/baw/overview/overview.htm|publisher=University of Hull|accessdate=25 January 2016|year=2007}}</ref> By the early 1790s, whalers, namely the Americans and Australians, mainly focused efforts in the South Pacific where they mainly hunted right whales, with catches of up to 39,000 right whales by Americans alone.<ref name="Ford"/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Tonnessen |first1=J.N. |last2=Johnsen |first2=A.O |year=1982 |title=The History of Modern Whaling |publisher=C. Hurst |isbn=0-905838-23-8}}</ref> By 1853, U.S. profits turned to [[USD]]11,000,000, equivalent to USD348,000,000 today, the most profitable year for the American whaling industry.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/timeline/timeline-whaling/ |title=Timeline: The History of Whaling in America |publisher=PBS}}</ref> Commonly exploited species included North Atlantic right whales, bowhead whales, which were mainly hunted by the Dutch, common minke whales, blue whales, and gray whales. The scale of whale harvesting decreased substantially after 1982 when the [[International Whaling Commission]] (IWC) placed a moratorium which set a catch limit for each country, excluding aboriginal groups until it was updated to include them in 2004.<ref name="economist">{{cite newsgroup|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2012/03/commercial-whaling|year=2012|title=Commercial Whaling: Good Whale Hunting|accessdate=25 January 2016}}</ref>
	
Current whaling nations are Norway, Iceland, and Japan, despite their joining to the [[International Whaling Commission|IWC]], as well as the aboriginal communities of Siberia, Alaska, and northern Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ifaw.org/united-states/our-work/whales/which-countries-are-still-whaling |title=Which countries are still whaling |publisher=International Fund for Animal Welfare |accessdate=25 January 2016}}</ref> Subsistence hunters typically use whale products for themselves and depend on them for survival. National and international authorities have given special treatment to aboriginal hunters since their methods of hunting are seen as less destructive and wasteful. This distinction is being questioned as these aboriginal groups are using more modern weaponry and mechanized transport to hunt with, and are selling whale products in the marketplace. Some anthropologists argue that the term "subsistence" should also apply to these cash-based exchanges as long as they take place within local production and consumption. In 1946, the IWC placed a moratorium, limiting the annual whale catch.<ref name="Subsistence whaling">{{cite web |url=https://iwc.int/aboriginal |title=Aboriginal Subsistence whaling |publisher=IWC |accessdate=25 January 2016}}</ref>

{{larger|'''Conservation and management issues'''}}

As of 2013, [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] (IUCN) recognizes 15 mysticete species. One species—the North Atlantic right whale—is endangered with only around 400(±50) individuals left, and four more are also considered as [[Endangered species|Endangered]]" (North Pacific right whale, the blue whale, the fin whale, and the Sei whale), and another 5 ranked as [[Data deficient]] (Bryde's whale, Eden's whale, Omura's whale, Southern minke whale, and pygmy right whale).<ref>{{cite web |title=Keyword search: Baleen whales |publisher=IUCN |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/search |work=The IUCN Red List of Threatened species. Version 2013.1 |accessdate=17 July 2013}}</ref> Species that live in polar habitats are vulnerable to the effects of recent and ongoing [[climate change]], particularly declines in sea ice, as well as [[ocean acidification]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Wendy |last=Elliot|year=2007|title=Whales in Hot Water?|publisher=World Wildlife Fund|pages=9–10|url=https://www.wwfblogs.org/climate/sites/default/files/WWFBinaryitem7665.pdf}}</ref>

The [[whale watching]] industry and [[anti-whaling]] advocates argue that whaling catches "friendly" whales that are curious about boats, as these whales are the easiest to catch. This analysis claims that once the economic benefits of hotels, restaurants and other tourist amenities are considered, hunting whales is a net economic loss. This argument is particularly contentious in [[Iceland]], as it has among the most-developed whale-watching operations in the world and the hunting of [[minke whale]]s resumed in August 2003. [[Brazil]], [[Argentina]] and [[South Africa]] argue that whale watching is a growing billion-dollar industry that provides more revenue than commercial whaling would provide.<ref>{{cite newsgroup|url= https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8114353.stm|first=Richard|last=Black|year=2009|title=Whale watching 'worth billions'|accessdate=27 January 2016}}</ref> [[Peru]], [[Uruguay]], [[Australia]], and [[New Zealand]] also support proposals to permanently forbid whaling South of the Equator, as [[Indonesia]] is the only country in the Southern Hemisphere with a whaling industry. Anti-whaling groups claim that developing countries which support a pro-whaling stance are damaging their economies by driving away anti-whaling tourists.<ref>{{cite book|url={{Google books|plainurl=yes|id=4ZF_AwAAQBAJ|page= 169}}|first=Nicolae|last=Sfetcu|year=2011|title=Fish & Fishing|chapter=Whaling|edition=1|pages=169–170|isbn=978-1-47092935-0}}</ref>

[[File:Anti-whaling.jpg|left|350px|thumb|Protests of Japan's scientific whaling]]
Commercial whaling was historically important for world economy. All species were exploited, and as one type's stock depleted, another type was targeted. The scale of whale harvesting decreased substantially through the 1960's as all whale stocks had been depleted, and practically stopped in the 1988 after the [[International Whaling Commission]] placed a moratorium which banned whaling for commercial use.<ref name="Beckman">{{cite book|url={{Google books|plainurl =yes|id=vW3pbgIcnXAC|page=327}}|first=Daniel|last=Beckman|year=2013|title=Marine Environmental Biology and Conservation|chapter=Conservation of Cetaceans|edition=1|pages=327–333|publisher=Jones & Bartlett Publishers |isbn=978-0-7637-7350-2}}</ref> Several species that were commercially exploited have rebounded in numbers; for example, gray whales may be as numerous as they were prior to whaling, making it the first marine mammal to be taken off the [[IUCN Red List endangered species (Animalia)|Endangered species list]].<ref>{{cite newsgroup|url=https://articles.latimes.com/1994-06-16/news/mn-4742_1_gray-whale|first=Frank|last=Clifford|year=1994|title=Gray Whale Removed From Endangered List|accessdate=27 January 2016}}</ref> The Southern right whale was hunted to near extinction in the mid-to-late 20th century, with only a small (unknown) population around Antarctica. Due to international protection, the Southern right whale's population has been growing 7% annually since 1970.<ref>{{cite book|url={{Google books|plainurl=yes|id=UAWXAgAAQBAJ|page=7}}|first=Doc|last=White|year=2010|editor-last=Fitzpatrick |editor-first=Lisa|title=Defying Extinction – Partnerships to Safeguard Global Biodiversity|chapter=Southern Right Whale|page=7|publisher=EIFE/iLCP Global Environmental Facility |isbn=978-0-9841686-5-1}}</ref> Conversely, the [[North Atlantic right whale#Eastern population|eastern stock of North Atlantic right whale]] was extirpated from much of its former range, which stretched from the coast of North Africa to the [[North Sea]] and Iceland; it is thought that the entire stock consists of only ten individuals, making the eastern stock [[functionally extinct]].<ref name="Beckman"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bushwarriors.org/iucn-species-of-the-day-north-atlantic-right-whale/|author=Bush Warriors|year=2011|title= IUCN Species of the Day: North Atlantic Right Whale|work=IUCN|accessdate=27 January 2016}}</ref>

Baleen whale continue to be harvested. However, only three nations take whales: Iceland (despite being a member of the [[International Whaling Commission|IWC]]), Norway, and Japan. Iceland and Norway were part of the IWC, but withdrew in 1992 and 1993, respectively, and continued hunting minke whales; despite Iceland's rejoining in 2006, they still continue to catch whales. <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.ifaw.org/united-states/our-work/whales/which-countries-are-still-whaling|author=International Fund for Animal Welfare|title=Which countries are still whaling?|work=ifaw.org|accessdate=29 January 2016}}</ref> Japan, being part of the IWC, whales under the Scientific Permit stated in Article VIII in the Convention for the Regulation of Whaling.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://iwc.int/permits|author=International Whaling Commission|title=Scientific Permit Whaling| work=iwc.int|accessdate=29 January 2016}}</ref> Japan has had two main research programs: JARPA and JARPN. JARPN is focused in the North Pacific and JARPA around the Antarctic. JARPA mainly caught Antarctic minke whales, catching nearly 7,000; to a far lesser extent, they also caught fin whales.<ref>{{cite book|url={{Google books|plainurl=yes|id=Gz6PAgAAQBAJ|page=527}}|editor-first1=Clive|editor-last1=H. Schofield|editor-first2=Seokwoo|editor-last2=Lee|editor-first3=Moon-Sang|editor-last3=Kwon|year=2014|title=Limits of Maritime Jurisdiction|chapter=Whaling in the Antarctic: Protecting Rights in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Through International Litigation|page=527|publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers |isbn=978-90-04-26258-4}}</ref> Animal-rights activist groups (such as the [[Greenpeace]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/oceans/fit-for-the-future/whaling/japanese-whaling/|author=Greenpeace International|title=Japan and whaling|work=greenpace.org|accessdate=29 January 2016}}</ref>) object to Japan's scientific whaling, with some calling a substitute for commercial whaling.<ref>{{cite journal| first1=Nicholas|last1=J. Gales|first2=Toshio|last2=Kasuya|first3=Phillip|last3=J. Clapham|first4=Robert|last4=L. Brownell, Jr|year=2005|title=Japan's whaling plan under scrutiny|journal=Nature|volume=435|issue=7044 |pages=883–884|doi= 10.1038/435883a|pmid=15959491 |bibcode=2005Natur.435..883G |s2cid=4304077 |url=https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1111&context=usdeptcommercepub }}</ref> In 2014, the [[International Court of Justice|United Nations judicial branch]] banned the taking of whales for any purpose in the [[Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary]],<ref>{{cite newsgroup|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/world/europe/united-nations-court-rules-against-japan-in-whaling-dispute.html?_r=0|first1=Hiroko|last1=Tabuchi|first2=Marlise|last2=Simons|year=2014|title=U.N. Court Orders Japan to Halt Whaling Off Antarctica|accessdate=29 January 2016}}</ref> however Japan refuses to stop whaling and has only promised to cut their annual catches by a third (around 300 whales per year).<ref>{{cite newsgroup|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34952538|author=unknown|year=2015|title=Japan to resume whaling in Antarctic despite court ruling|accessdate= 29 January 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Eubalaena glacialis dead.jpg|thumb|right|The remains of a [[North Atlantic right whale]] after it collided with a ship [[propeller]]]]
Baleen whales can also be effected by humans in more indirect ways. For species like the North Atlantic right whale, which migrates through some of the world's busiest shipping lanes, the biggest threat is from being struck by ships. The [[Lloyd's mirror#Underwater acoustics|Lloyd's mirror]] effect results in low frequency propeller sounds not being discernible near the surface, where most accidents occur. Combined with spreading and acoustic shadowing effects, the result is that the whale is unable to hear an approaching vessel before it has been run over or entrapped by the hydrodynamic forces of the vessel's passage.<ref>{{cite journal|first1=Angelia|last1=S. M. Vanderlaan|first2=Christopher|last2=T. Taggart|year=2007|title= Vessel Collisions with Whales: The Probability of Lethal Injury Based on Vessel Speed|journal=Marine Mammal Science|volume=23|issue=1|pages=144–156|doi=10.1111/j.1748-7692.2006.00098.x|bibcode=2007MMamS..23..144V }}</ref> The ever-increasing amount of ocean noise, including [[Marine mammals and sonar|sonar]], drowns out the vocalizations produced by whales, notably in the blue whale which produces the loudest vocalization, which makes it harder for them to communicate.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Blue Whales Respond to Anthropogenic Noise| doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0032681 | volume=7 | journal=PLOS ONE | date=2012 | pages=e32681|bibcode = 2012PLoSO...732681M | pmid=22393434 | pmc=3290562 | doi-access=free | last1=Melcón | first1=Mariana L. | last2=Cummins | first2=Amanda J. | last3=Kerosky | first3=Sara M. | last4=Roche | first4=Lauren K. | last5=Wiggins | first5=Sean M. | last6=Hildebrand | first6=John A. | issue=2 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=R. Reeves|first1=R.|last2=Clapham|first2=PJ.|last3=L. Brownell|first3=R.|first4=K. Silber|last4=G.|title=Recovery plan for the blue whale (''Balaenoptera musculus'')|year=1998|page=42 |publisher=National Marine Fisheries Service|url=https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/recovery/whale_blue.pdf}}</ref> Blue whales stop producing foraging D calls once a mid-frequency sonar is activated, even though the sonar frequency range (1–8&nbsp;kHz) far exceeds their sound production range (25–100&nbsp;Hz).<ref>{{cite journal|title=Blue Whales Respond to Anthropogenic Noise|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0032681|volume=7|journal=PLOS ONE|date=2012 |pages=e32681|bibcode=2012PLoSO...732681M|pmid=22393434|pmc=3290562 |doi-access=free |last1=Melcón |first1=Mariana L. |last2=Cummins |first2=Amanda J. |last3=Kerosky |first3=Sara M. |last4=Roche |first4=Lauren K. |last5=Wiggins |first5=Sean M. |last6=Hildebrand |first6=John A. |issue=2 }}</ref> Poisoning from toxic substances such as [[Polychlorinated biphenyl]] (PCB) is generally low due to their low [[trophic level]].<ref>{{cite journal|first1=Thomas|last1=J. O'Shea|first2= Robert|last2=L. Brownell, Jr.|year=1994|title=Organochlorine and metal contaminants in baleen whales: a review and evaluation of conservation implications|journal=Science of the Total Environment|volume=154|issue=3|pages=179–200|doi=10.1016/0048-9697(94)90087-6|pmid=7973606 |bibcode=1994ScTEn.154..179O }}</ref> Some baleen whales can become victims of [[bycatch]], which is especially serious for North Atlantic right whales, considering there are only 450 left.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/whales/north-atlantic-right-whale.html|author=Office of Protected Resources – NOAA Fisheries|title=North Atlantic Right Whale (''Eubalaena glacialis'')|work= nmfs.noaa.gov|accessdate=25 January 2016}}</ref> Right whales feed with wide-open mouths, risking entanglement in any rope or net fixed in the water column. Rope wraps around their upper jaws, flippers and tails. Some are able to escape, but others remain tangled. If observers notice, they can be successfully disentangled, but others die over a period of months. Other whales, such as humpback whales, can also be entangled.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/publications-files/Entanglement_of_Marine_Species_Emphasis_Species_in_US.pdf|author=NOAA Marine Debris Report|year=2014|title=Entanglement of Marine Species in Marine Debris with an Emphasis on Species in the United States|chapter=Cetaceans|pages=9–10}}</ref>

{{larger|'''In captivity'''}}

Baleen whales have rarely been kept in captivity. Their large size and appetite make them expensive creatures to maintain. Pools of proper would also be very expensive to build. For example, a single gray whale calf would need to eat {{convert|475|lbs|kg}} of fish per day, and the pool would have to accommodate the {{convert|13|ft|m|adj=on}}.<ref>{{cite newsgroup|url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19980322&slug=2741016| first=Tony|last=Perry|year=1998|title=J.J. The Gray Whale Going To Sea -- Rescued Orphan Calf Will Be Freed This Week|accessdate=29 January 2016}}</ref> Only two species have survived being kept in captivity for over a year before being released: gray whales and minke whales. The first gray whale, who was captured in [[Scammon's Lagoon]], [[Baja California]], in 1965, was named Gigi and died two months later from an infection.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=L. Hubbs|first1=Carl|last2=E. Evans| first2=William|year=1974|title=The California gray whale : papers presented at the California Gray Whale Workshop, Scripps Institution of Oceanography|url=https://archive.org/stream/californiagraywh00sout/californiagraywh00sout_djvu.txt|journal=Marine Fisheries Review|volume=36|number=4}}</ref> The second gray whale, who was captured in the same lagoon Gigi was from, in 1971, was named Gigi II and was released a year later after becoming too big.<ref>{{cite journal|url= https://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/share/AquaticMammalsIssueArchives/2001/AquaticMammals_27-03/27-03_Goff.pdf|first1=J.|last1=L. Sumich|first2=T.|last2=Goff|first3=W.|last3=L. Perryman|year=2001|title=Growth of two captive gray whale calves|journal=Aquatic Mammals|volume=27|issue=3|pages=231–233}}</ref> The last gray whale, J.J., beached herself in [[Marina del Rey, California]] where she was rushed to [[SeaWorld San Diego]] and, after 14 months, was released because she got too big to take care of. J.J. was the largest creature to be kept in captivity.<ref>{{cite newsgroup|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1998/apr/01/news/mn-34942|first=Tony|last=Perry|year= 1998|title=Rescued Whale J.J. Begins Long Journey Home|accessdate=29 January 2016}}</ref> The Mito Aquarium in [[Numazu, Shizuoka]] (Japan) housed three minke whales in a [[waterway|sea-gate]] enclosed by nets. One survived for three months, another (a calf) survived for two weeks, and another was kept for a year before breaking through the nets.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Kimura|first1=S.|last2=Nemoto|first2=T.|year=1956|title=Note on a minke whale kept alive in aquarium|journal=Scientific Reports of the Whales Research Institute|volume=11|pages=181–189}}</ref>

{{large|'''References'''}}
----
{{reflist|30em}}

{{large|'''Further reading'''}}
----
*{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals|author=Kemper, Catherine|editor1=Perrin, W.|editor2=Wursig, B.|editor3=Thewissen, J.|publisher=Academic Press|year=2008|isbn=978-0080919935|ref={{harvid|Kemper et al.|2008}}}}
*{{cite book|url={{Google books|plainurl=yes|id=mTPI_d9fyLACA|page=101}}|first=Marshall|last=Cavendish|year=2010|title=Mammal Anatomy: An Illustrated Guide|chapter=Gray whale|publisher=Marshall Cavendish |isbn=978-0-7614-7882-9|ref={{harvid|Cavendish|2010}}}}
*{{cite journal|last=Uhen|first=M. D.|title=The origin(s) of whales|year=2010|journal=Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences|volume=38|issue=1 |pages=189–219|doi=10.1146/annurev-earth-040809-152453|bibcode=2010AREPS..38..189U |ref={{harvid|Uhen|2010}}}}
*{{cite book|last=W. Tinker|first=Spencer|title=Whales of the World|year=1988|publisher=Brill Archive|url={{Google books|plainurl=yes|id=ASIVAAAAIAAJ|page=66}}|accessdate = October 2013|isbn=9780935848472|ref={{harvid|Tinker|1988}}}}
*{{cite book|last=L. Bannister|first=John|chapter=Baleen Whales (Mysticetes)|pages=80–89|title=Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals|editor1-last=F. Perrin|editor1-first=William|editor2-last=Würsig|editor2-first=Bernd|editor3-last=Thewissen|editor3-first = J. G. M.|year=2008|publisher=Academic Press|isbn=978-0-12-373553-9|ref={{harvid|Bannister|2008}}}}
*{{cite journal|last1=A. Deméré|first1=T.|last2=Berta|first2=A.|last3=R. McGowen|first3=M.|title=The taxonomic and evolutionary history of fossil and modern balaenopteroid mysticetes|year=2005|journal=Journal of Mammalian Evolution|volume=12|issue=1|pages=99–143|doi=10.1007/s10914-005-6944-3|s2cid=90231 |oclc=264019292|ref={{harvid|Deméré|Berta|McGowen|2005}}}}
{{collapse bottom}}

== Baleen whale – GAN ==

I've nominated [[Baleen whale]] for GA-review. Please start the review at [[TalK:Baleen whale|this link]]. Many thanks <span style="font-family:Monotype Corsiva;background:#E6E6FA;border:solid 1px;border-radius:7px;box-shadow:darkblue 0px 3px 3px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;[[User:Dunkleosteus77]]&nbsp;&#124;[[User talk:Dunkleosteus77|push to talk]]&nbsp;</span> 22:41, 7 February 2016 (UTC)

==GAR==
[[Bottlenose dolphin]], an article that you or your project may be interested in, has been nominated for a community good article reassessment. If you are interested in the discussion, please participate by adding your comments to the [[Wikipedia:Good article reassessment/Bottlenose dolphin/1|reassessment page]]. If concerns are not addressed during the review period, the good article status may be removed from the article. <span style="color:green">'''Ten Pound Hammer'''</span> • <sup>([[User talk:TenPoundHammer|What did I screw up now?]])</sup> 03:34, 8 February 2016 (UTC)

==Pygmy killer whale==
I revised the [[Pygmy killer whale]] and was hoping to upgrade its class from "start" to at least "C". Could the article be reassessed and have its class upgraded?

--[[User:LiaElf76|LiaElf76]] ([[User talk:LiaElf76|talk]]) 21:45, 29 April 2016 (UTC)

== Taxoboxes for even-toed ungulates and whales ==
Feel free to participate in a discussion I started at [[Talk:Even-toed ungulate#Taxoboxes for even-toed ungulates and whales]]. [[User:Od Mishehu|עוד&nbsp;מישהו]] [[User talk:Od Mishehu|Od&nbsp;Mishehu]] 17:46, 13 July 2016 (UTC)

== Assessment query ==
Hi guys, I assessed the 2 listed unassessed articles that were listed as needed doing yesterday, but as yet the article box on the project home page hasn't updated to show this. Can someone check if I've inserted the code correctly on the article's talk pages as it's the first article assessment I've done? The articles in question are [[mud ring feeding]] and [[Dolfinarium Harderwijk]]. Cheers guys. [[User:Douts|douts]] ([[User talk:Douts|talk]]) 17:49, 17 August 2016 (UTC)

==2016 Community Wishlist Survey Proposal to Revive Popular Pages==
[[File:Magic Wand Icon 229981 Color Flipped.svg|thumb]]
<big>'''''Greetings {{PAGENAME}} Members!'''''</big>

This is a '''one-time-only''' message to inform you about a technical proposal to revive your Popular Pages list in the '''[[meta:2016 Community Wishlist Survey|{{nowrap|2016 Community Wishlist Survey}}]]''' that I think you may be interested in reviewing and perhaps even voting for:

* [[meta:2016 Community Wishlist Survey/Categories/WikiProjects#Fix and improve Mr.Z-bot's popular pages report|Fix and improve Mr.Z-bot's popular pages report]]

If the above proposal gets in the Top 10 based on the votes, there is a high likelihood of this bot being restored so your project will again see monthly updates of popular pages.

Further, there are over 260 proposals in all to review and vote for, across many aspects of wikis.

Thank you for your consideration.  Please note that voting for proposals continues through December 12, 2016.

Best regards, {{u|Stevietheman}} — <small>Delivered: 17:56, 7 December 2016 (UTC)</small>
{{Clear}}

== ''[[v:WikiJournal of Science|WikiJournal of Science]]'' promotion ==
{{WJS advert 2017 Jan}}<br/>
[[User:Evolution and evolvability|T.Shafee(Evo<small>&#38;</small>Evo)]]<sup>[[User talk:Evolution and evolvability|talk]]</sup> 10:29, 24 January 2017 (UTC)

==Keep the scraps==
Sei-lwhales talk section has a lot of crossed over text. Have an historical edit section to keep such.  <!-- Template:Unsigned IP --><small class="autosigned">—&nbsp;Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[Special:Contributions/148.75.121.81|148.75.121.81]] ([[User talk:148.75.121.81#top|talk]]) 19:52, 10 February 2017 (UTC)</small> <!--Autosigned by SineBot-->

== Popular pages report ==
We – [[m:Community Tech|Community Tech]] – are happy to announce that the [[m:Community Tech/Popular pages bot|Popular pages bot]] is back up-and-running (after a one year hiatus)! You're receiving this message because your WikiProject or task force is signed up to receive the popular pages report. Every month, {{no ping|Community Tech bot}} will post at [[{{SUBJECTPAGENAME}}/Popular pages]] with a list of the most-viewed pages over the previous month that are within the scope of {{ROOTPAGENAME:{{SUBJECTPAGENAME}}}}.
 
We've made some enhancements to the original report. Here's what's new:
* The pageview data includes both desktop and mobile data.
* The report will include a link to the [https://tools.wmflabs.org/pageviews/ pageviews tool] for each article, to dig deeper into any surprises or anomalies.
* The report will include the total pageviews for the entire project (including redirects).

We're grateful to {{no ping|Mr.Z-man}} for his original {{no ping|Mr.Z-bot}}, and we wish his bot a happy robot retirement. Just as before, we hope the popular pages reports will aid you in understanding the reach of {{ROOTPAGENAME:{{SUBJECTPAGENAME}}}}, and what articles may be deserving of more attention. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at [[m:User talk:Community Tech bot]].

Warm regards, [[m:Community Tech|the Community Tech Team]] 17:16, 17 May 2017 (UTC)
<!-- Message sent by User:Johan (WMF)@metawiki using the list at https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Johan_(WMF)/Target_lists/EnWikiWikiProjects201705&oldid=16776555 -->

== Interesting scope of article ==
I came across [[Whales in Ghanaian waters]] and am wondering if such formulations exist elsewhere: "Birds of X islands" or "Fish of Y lake". Or whether it is worth creating "Whales (or cetaceans) of Z waters". [[User:Carbon Caryatid|Carbon Caryatid]] ([[User talk:Carbon Caryatid|talk]]) 21:28, 22 April 2018 (UTC)
:it looks like that article was specifically created because of some stranding event <span style="font-family:Monotype Corsiva;background:#E6E6FA;border:solid 1px;border-radius:7px;box-shadow:darkblue 0px 3px 3px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;[[User:Dunkleosteus77]]&nbsp;&#124;[[User talk:Dunkleosteus77|push to talk]]&nbsp;</span> 22:41, 22 April 2018 (UTC)
:We have some "Fauna of place X" and "Mammals of place X" articles, e.g. [[Fauna of Australia]]. And we have <small>[[:Category:Lists of mammals by location]]</small>. For waters rich in cetacean life it would be appropriate to have an article about the cetaceans in the area. [[User:Clayoquot|Clayoquot]] ([[User_talk:Clayoquot|talk]] <nowiki>&#124;</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/Clayoquot|contribs]]) 18:22, 23 April 2018 (UTC)
:::most whales are in every ocean, any particular body of water you suggest? <span style="font-family:Monotype Corsiva;background:#E6E6FA;border:solid 1px;border-radius:7px;box-shadow:darkblue 0px 3px 3px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;[[User:Dunkleosteus77]]&nbsp;&#124;[[User talk:Dunkleosteus77|push to talk]]&nbsp;</span> 18:37, 23 April 2018 (UTC)

== Discussion at Cryptid Whale ==
There's currently discussion at [[Talk:Cryptid whale]] likely of interest to readers here. [[User:Bloodofox|&#58;bloodofox:]] ([[User talk:Bloodofox|talk]]) 21:34, 13 May 2018 (UTC)

== WikiProject collaboration notice from the [[WP:WPPORT|Portals WikiProject]] ==
The reason I am contacting you is because there are one or more portals that fall under this subject, and the Portals WikiProject is currently undertaking a major drive to automate portals that may affect them.

Portals are being redesigned.

The new design features are being applied to existing portals.

At present, we are gearing up for a maintenance pass of portals in which the introduction section will be upgraded to no longer need a subpage. In place of static copied and pasted excerpts will be self-updating excerpts displayed through selective transclusion, using the template {{tl|Transclude lead excerpt}}.

The discussion about this can be found '''[[Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Portals#AWB_team_please_tackle_maintenance_run_on_intro_sections|here]]'''.

Maintainers of specific portals are encouraged to sign up as project members '''[[Wikipedia:WikiProject_Portals#Specific_portal_maintainers|here]]''', noting the portals they maintain, so that those portals are skipped by the maintenance pass.  Currently, we are interested in upgrading neglected and abandoned portals. There will be opportunity for maintained portals to opt-in later, or the portal maintainers can handle upgrading (the portals they maintain) personally at any time.

=== Background ===
On April 8th, 2018, an [[Wikipedia:Village pump (proposals)/RfC: Ending the system of portals|RfC ("Request for comment") proposal was made to eliminate all portals and the portal namespace]].  On April 17th, the Portals WikiProject was rebooted to handle the revitalization of the portal system. On May 12th, the RfC was closed with the result to keep portals, by a margin of about 2 to 1 in favor of keeping portals.

There's an [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2018-05-24/WikiProject report|article in the current edition of the Signpost interviewing project members about the RfC and the Portals WikiProject]].

Since the reboot, the Portals WikiProject has been busy building tools and components to upgrade portals.

So far, 84 editors have joined.

If you would like to keep abreast of what is happening with portals, see the [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Portals/Newsletter archive|newsletter archive]].

If you have any questions about what is happening with portals or the Portals WikiProject, please post them on the [[WT:WPPORT|WikiProject's talk page]].

Thank you.  <span class="nowrap">&nbsp;&nbsp; &mdash; ''[[User talk:The Transhumanist|The&nbsp;Transhumanist]]''&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> 07:28, 30 May 2018 (UTC)

== Request for comment on recommending usage of automatic taxoboxes ==
There is an RfC regarding recommending usage of automatic taxoboxes at [[Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Tree of Life#Request for comments: Should the automatic taxobox system be the current recommended practice?]]. Inviting anybody who watches this page to contribute their thoughts to that thread. 

WikiProject Cetaceans is currently using automatic taxoboxes in [[Wikipedia_talk:Automated_taxobox_system#2_July_2018_usage_statistics_update|98.6% of project tagged articles that have any form of taxobox]]. [[User:Plantdrew|Plantdrew]] ([[User talk:Plantdrew|talk]]) 01:37, 16 July 2018 (UTC)

== Two for one for Bryde's whale and Minke whale? ==
There are [https://petscan.wmflabs.org/?language=en&project=wikipedia&ns%5B0%5D=1&templates_yes=Taxobox&templates_any=WikiProject%20Cetaceans&templates_use_talk_any=on&search_max_results=500&interface_language=en&active_tab=&doit= only two articles] in WikiProject Cetaceans that use manual {{tl|taxobox}}es:  [[Bryde's whale]] and [[Minke whale]].  Both are cramming two species into taxoboxes meant for one taxon each.  Are both/either of these whales [[species complex]]es, or some other infrageneric [[clade]]s?  If so, the manual {{tl|Taxobox}}es should be upgraded to {{tl|Automatic taxobox}}es.  If they are only [[evolutionary grade]]s, then an automated {{tl|paraphyletic group}} box should be used.  I think either change could be applied without rocking the boat on the rest of the article.

I have raised this on [[Talk:Bryde's whale#Is it a grade or a clade?]] and [[Talk:Minke whale#Are Minke whale even a taxon or an informal grouping?]], but thought I should ping here to loop in more folks.  I posted separately also in case the answers are different for each article.  --[[User:NessieVL|Nessie]] ([[User talk:NessieVL|talk]]) 19:01, 13 February 2019 (UTC)

== Nomination of [[:Portal:Cetaceans]] for deletion ==
<div class="floatleft" style="margin-bottom:0">[[File:Ambox warning orange.svg|48px|alt=|link=]]</div>A discussion is taking place as to whether '''[[:Portal:Cetaceans]]''' is suitable for inclusion in Wikipedia according to [[Wikipedia:List of policies and guidelines|Wikipedia's policies and guidelines]] or whether it should be [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy|deleted]].

The article will be discussed at [[Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion/Portal:Pigs]] (it's a bundled nomination) until a consensus is reached, and anyone is welcome to contribute to the discussion. The nomination will explain the policies and guidelines which are of concern. The discussion focuses on high-quality evidence and our policies and guidelines.

Users may edit the page during the discussion, including to improve the page to address concerns raised in the discussion. However, do not remove the deletion notice from the top of the page.<!-- Template:afd-notice --> <span class="smallcaps" style="font-variant:small-caps;">[[User:Northamerica1000|North America]]<sup>[[User talk:Northamerica1000|<span style="font-size: x-small;">1000</span>]]</sup></span> 02:24, 23 March 2019 (UTC)

== A new newsletter directory is out! ==
A new '''[[Template:Newsletters|Newsletter directory]]''' has been created to replace the [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:List_of_newsletters&oldid=891896284 old, out-of-date one]. If your WikiProject and its taskforces have newsletters (even inactive ones), or if you know of a missing newsletter (including from sister projects like [https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page WikiSpecies]), please include it in the directory! The template can be a bit tricky, so if you need help, just post the newsletter on the [[Template talk:Newsletters|template's talk page]] and someone will add it for you.
:– Sent on behalf of [[User:Headbomb|Headbomb]]. 03:11, 11 April 2019 (UTC)
<!-- Message sent by User:DannyS712@enwiki using the list at https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Headbomb/Newsletter&oldid=891933551 -->

==Subscribe to new Tree of Life Newsletter!==
[[File:Norman Garstin - A Woman Reading A Newspaper 1891.jpg|thumb|left|"I've never heard so much about crinoids!"]]
Despite the many Wikipedians who edit content related to organisms/species, there hasn't been a Tree of Life Newsletter...until now! If you would like regular deliveries of said newsletter, please add your name to the [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Tree of Life/Newsletter|subscribers]] list. Thanks, [[User:Enwebb|Enwebb]] ([[User talk:Enwebb|talk]]) 00:29, 5 May 2019 (UTC)

== FLRC ==
I have nominated [[List of cetacean species]] for [[Wikipedia:Featured list removal candidates/List of cetacean species/archive1|featured list removal here]]. Please join the discussion on whether this article meets the [[Wikipedia:What is a featured list?|featured list criteria]]. Articles are typically reviewed for two weeks; editors may declare to "Keep" or "Delist" the article's featured status. The instructions for the review process are [[Wikipedia:Featured list removal candidates|here]].<!-- Template:FLRCMessage -->  <span style="color:green">'''Ten Pound Hammer'''</span> • <sup>([[User talk:TenPoundHammer|What did I screw up now?]])</sup> 01:07, 16 July 2019 (UTC)

== Artiodactyla vs Cetartiodactyla ==
Check out this discussion:  [[Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Mammals#Taxonomy_templates:_updating_order_Cetartiodactyla?]]

== Request for information on WP1.0 web tool ==
Hello and greetings from the maintainers of the [[User:WP_1.0_bot|WP 1.0 Bot]]! As you may or may not know, we are currently involved in an overhaul of the bot, in order to make it more modern and maintainable. As part of this process, we will be rewriting the [[:toolforge:enwp10/cgi-bin/pindex.fcgi|web tool]] that is part of the project. You might have noticed this tool if you click through the links on the project assessment summary tables.

We'd like to collect information on how the current tool is used by....you! How do you yourself and the other maintainers of your project use the web tool? Which of its features do you need? How frequently do you use these features? And what features is the tool missing that would be useful to you? We have collected all of these questions at [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK30kJtKQ3cp-QLY1VJhB94HP2q6437Cdk3E2rVRYHowcL4A/viewform?usp=sf_link this Google form] where you can leave your response. [[User:Walkerma|Walkerma]] ([[User talk:Walkerma|talk]]) 04:24, 27 October 2019 (UTC)
<!-- Message sent by User:JJMC89@enwiki using the list at https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia_talk:Version_1.0_Editorial_Team/ListOfProjects&oldid=923068486 -->

== First annual Tree of Life Decemberween contest ==
After all the fun with the [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Tree of Life/Contest/Spooky Species Contest|Spooky Species Contest]] last month, there's a new contest for the (Northern hemisphere's) Winter holidays at [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Tree of Life/Contest]].    It's not just Christmas, but anything festive from December-ish.  Feel free to add some ideas to the [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Tree of Life/Contest#Festive taxa list|Festive taxa list]] and enter early and often. --[[User:NessieVL|Nessie]] ([[User talk:NessieVL|talk]]) 18:52, 12 November 2019 (UTC)

== The Cetacean Barnstar ==
[[File:Cetacean Barnstar.png|190px]]<br>
Introducing [[Template:The Cetacean Barnstar]] [[User:Jerm|Jerm]] ([[User talk:Jerm|talk]]) 23:39, 27 January 2020 (UTC)

== Question ==

If one would like it one could look at a question I've posted on [[Wikipedia:Reference desk/Science#Do cetaceans hear in the air|Wikipedia:Reference desk/Science]]. Thank You anyway. [[User:Эйхер|Эйхер]] ([[User talk:Эйхер|talk]]) 14:58, 23 October 2021 (UTC)

== GA Reassessment ==
[[Sperm whale]] has been nominated for a community good article reassessment. If you are interested in the discussion, please participate by adding your comments to the [[Wikipedia:Good article reassessment/Sperm whale/1|reassessment page]]. If concerns are not addressed during the review period, the good article status may be removed from the article. [[User:OnlyFixingProse|OnlyFixingProse]] ([[User talk:OnlyFixingProse|talk]]) 11:48, 25 March 2022 (UTC)

== FAR for Sei whale ==
 
I have nominated [[Sei whale]] for a [[Wikipedia:Featured article review/Sei whale/archive1|featured article review here]]. Please join the discussion on whether this article meets [[Wikipedia:What is a featured article?|featured article criteria]]. Articles are typically reviewed for two weeks. If substantial concerns are not addressed during the review period, the article will be moved to the Featured Article Removal Candidates list for a further period, where editors may declare "Keep" or "Delist" the article's featured status. The instructions for the review process are [[Wikipedia:Featured article review|here]].<!--Template:FARMessage--> [[User:OnlyFixingProse|OnlyFixingProse]] ([[User talk:OnlyFixingProse|talk]]) 02:57, 15 April 2022 (UTC)

== FAR for Fin whale ==
 
I have nominated [[Fin whale]] for a [[Wikipedia:Featured article review/Fin whale/archive1|featured article review here]]. Please join the discussion on whether this article meets [[Wikipedia:What is a featured article?|featured article criteria]]. Articles are typically reviewed for two weeks. If substantial concerns are not addressed during the review period, the article will be moved to the Featured Article Removal Candidates list for a further period, where editors may declare "Keep" or "Delist" the article's featured status. The instructions for the review process are [[Wikipedia:Featured article review|here]].<!--Template:FARMessage--> [[User:OnlyFixingProse|OnlyFixingProse]] ([[User talk:OnlyFixingProse|talk]]) 13:32, 28 April 2022 (UTC)

== User script to detect unreliable sources ==

{{Main|User:Headbomb/unreliable}}
I have (with the help of others) made a small user script to detect and highlight various links to [[WP:URS|unreliable sources]] and [[predatory journal]]s. Some of you may already be familiar with it, given it is currently the [[Wikipedia:User scripts/Most imported scripts|39th most imported script on Wikipedia]]. The idea is that it takes something like
*John Smith "[https://www.deprecated.com/article Article of things]" ''Deprecated.com''. Accessed 2020-02-14. (<code><nowiki>John Smith "[https://www.deprecated.com/article Article of things]" ''Deprecated.com''. Accessed 2020-02-14.</nowiki></code>)
and turns it into something like
* John Smith "{{highlight|[https://www.deprecated.com/article Article of things]|pink}}" ''Deprecated.com''. Accessed 2020-02-14.

It will work on a variety of links, including those from {{tl|cite web}}, {{tl|cite journal}} and {{tl|doi}}.

The script is mostly based on [[WP:RSPSOURCES]], [[WP:NPPSG]] and [[WP:CITEWATCH]] and a good dose of common sense. I'm always expanding coverage and tweaking the script's logic, so general feedback and suggestions to expand coverage to other unreliable sources are always welcomed.

Do note that this is '''not a script to be mindlessly used''', and several caveats apply. Details and instructions are available at [[User:Headbomb/unreliable]]. Questions, comments and requests can be made at [[User talk:Headbomb/unreliable]].

- &#32;<span style="font-variant:small-caps; whitespace:nowrap;">[[User:Headbomb|Headbomb]] {[[User talk:Headbomb|t]] · [[Special:Contributions/Headbomb|c]] · [[WP:PHYS|p]] · [[WP:WBOOKS|b]]}</span>

<span style="font-size:90%">This is a one time notice and can't be unsubscribed from.</span> Delivered by: [[User:MediaWiki message delivery|MediaWiki message delivery]] ([[User talk:MediaWiki message delivery|talk]]) 16:01, 29 April 2022 (UTC)
<!-- Message sent by User:Terasail@enwiki using the list at https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Headbomb/sandbox3&oldid=1085285969 -->

== Requested move at [[Talk:Mesonychid#Requested move 11 October 2023]] ==
[[File:Information.svg|30px|left]] There is a requested move discussion at [[Talk:Mesonychid#Requested move 11 October 2023]] that may be of interest to members of this WikiProject. [[User:UtherSRG|UtherSRG]] [[User_talk:UtherSRG|(talk)]] 18:05, 11 October 2023 (UTC)

== Activity check ==

Just checking in to see if anyone else here is still active? I've been working on extinct cetacean articles, but it seems like the project page and other areas here can do with some proper maintenance. Please drop a reply if you're still active? Thanks! [[User:The Morrison Man|The Morrison Man]] ([[User talk:The Morrison Man|talk]]) 15:56, 25 February 2024 (UTC)

:@[[User:The Morrison Man|The Morrison Man]] There is an inactive tag on it... I'm not in the project, but I've been looking at some of the cetacean pages and planning to do more in the near future if it is helpful to coordinate on anything.
:--[[User:Xarzin|Xarzin]] ([[User talk:Xarzin|talk]]) 03:32, 22 December 2024 (UTC)
::Good to at least see someone else working on the articles! What are you currently planning on improving? [[User:The Morrison Man|The Morrison Man]] ([[User talk:The Morrison Man|talk]]) 20:05, 28 December 2024 (UTC)
:::@[[User:The Morrison Man|The Morrison Man]]-- Mostly trying to clean up [[Ziphiidae]] and some other odontocetes right now. I haven't really been trying to expand anything for the most part, but have been trying to correct mistakes and clean up what's there. I was also trying to address some of the issues on [https://bambots.brucemyers.com/cwb/bycat/Mammals.html the mammals project todo list] and I see a lot of the species pages need some basic help with language, style, citations, and the like. Another big-ish thing I'd be interested in tackling would be the some of the Tursiops pages. I think [[Tursiops]] and [[Tursiops aduncus]] are actually quite good but [[Tursiops truncatus]] and [[Tursiops erebennus]] are quite confused. 
:::Do you have particular projects in mind yourself? I see your interest in paleo-- I was trying to fix some citations quickly  on [[Piscobalaena]] today, but then it needed more help than I had time for... anyway might be of interest to you at some point! More soon hopefully! --[[User:Xarzin|xarzin]] ([[User talk:Xarzin|talk]]) 23:51, 28 December 2024 (UTC)

==  [[Wikipedia:Proposed deletion|Proposed deletion]] of [[:IWC meeting in 2006]] ==
[[File:Ambox warning yellow.svg|left|link=|alt=Notice|48px|]]

The article [[:IWC meeting in 2006]] has been [[Wikipedia:Proposed deletion|proposed for deletion]]&#32;because of the following concern:
<blockquote>'''Minutes of a three-day meeting. No secondary sources'''</blockquote>

While all constructive contributions to Wikipedia are appreciated, pages may be [[WP:DEL#REASON|deleted for any of several reasons]].

You may prevent the proposed deletion by removing the {{Tlc|proposed deletion/dated}} notice, but please explain why in your [[Help:edit summary|edit summary]] or on [[Talk:IWC meeting in 2006|the article's talk page]].

Please consider improving the page to address the issues raised. Removing {{Tlc|proposed deletion/dated}} will stop the [[Wikipedia:Proposed deletion|proposed deletion process]], but other [[Wikipedia:deletion process|deletion process]]es exist. In particular, the [[Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion|speedy deletion]] process can result in deletion without discussion, and [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion|articles for deletion]] allows discussion to reach [[Wikipedia:Consensus|consensus]] for deletion.<!-- Template:Proposed deletion notify --> [[User:Bearian|Bearian]] ([[User talk:Bearian|talk]]) 01:42, 30 May 2025 (UTC)