Body Condition and Allometry of Free-Ranging Short-Finned Pilot Whales in the North Atlantic

To understand the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on nutritional health animals, it is important to measure and morphometrics, allometrics, body condition species. We examined shape, allometric relationships, short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) in three locations across North Atlantic. Using unmanned aerial vehicles, length (BL) width (along axis) were measured from photographs dorsal side, while height (dorso-ventral distance) was lateral side. Seventy-seven (mean ± SD), including 9 calves (BL 2.37 m 0.118), 31 juveniles (2.90 0.183), 37 adults (3.72 0.440). The shape similar among reproductive classes, with widest point being anterior fin (at 30–35% BL rostrum). cross-sectional flattened plane, which increased towards peduncle fluke. rostrum-blowhole distance fluke linearly BL. estimated volumes ranged between 0.15 0.32 m3 for calves, 0.25 0.64 juveniles, 0.46 1.13 adults. (residual log-volume vs. log-length) −34.8 +52.4%. There no difference classes or locations.