We’ve already talked a lot here at Planet Connection about the registration of albino animals, a genetic mutation characterized by the total lack of pigments (melanin), which affects the transfer and accumulation of pigments in some parts of the body. However, it is the first time that we write about “semi-albinos”, as is the case with the calves of right whales registered in the south coast of the country.
“This characteristic, semi-albinism, or partial albinism or even leucism, is not a genetic mutation, but rather a genetic characteristic, in which a recessive gene that causes white coloration ends up predominating and causing whales, which are normally black, born white, with absence of melanin in most of the body. It is not legitimate albinism as it does not have red eyes and does not suffer from the common problems of albinism. Semi-albino right whales are usually male (rarely females may occur)”, explains biologist Karina Groch, research director of the ProFranca Project/Instituto Australis*.
Still according to the specialist, this very rare characteristic has a chance of occurring in 25% of the offspring generated by females that have this recessive gene.
In 2022, the first semi-albino cub was sighted on July 31st on Itapirubá beach (Imbituba). And now, in September, during a monitoring flyby of right whales, other calves with this characteristic were observed.
“I still haven’t had access to all the photos from the overflight to confirm how many there were, but it seems that at least three other semi-albino cubs were sighted, two more in Itapirubá and one on Siriú beach, in Garopaba”, says Karina.
According to the director of ProFranca, the annual average of semi-albinos is one to two individuals. In 2021, of the 60 puppies registered on the coast of Santa Catarina, none of them were white.
“An interesting issue is that newborn puppies in general cannot be identified by photos – it takes a few months of development for that to happen -, but in the case of semi-albinos we can, precisely because of the black pigmentation (dots and little black spots) that occurs in these animals, characteristic from birth and that do not change with time. This allows for later re-sightings and, for example, we can find out the age of these cubs if they return here”, highlights the biologist.
In this 2022 season, around 230 right whales have already been seen off the coast of Santa Catarina. “It is a high number compared to other years, in fact it is the second largest number of whales ever recorded in the state – the previous record was in 2018, with 273. Our average is around 100 to 120 whales per year”, reveals .
Below is the video made by Ricardo Weg, on Gamboa beach, where the same calf seen on Siriú beach on the day of the flyover appears:
The southern right whale off the Brazilian coast
The southern right whale can be found in oceans of the Southern Hemisphere and during winter and spring it is seen off the coast of Brazil, especially in Santa Catarina. In general, records are made of births and females caring for their young.
These cetaceans can reach more than 17 meters in length and 60 tons. Females are usually larger than males. The body is black and rounded, without a dorsal fin and the head occupies almost a quarter of the total length. The mouth has a large curvature, which houses 250 pairs of fin bristles.
Another striking characteristic of the species is the sound of its spray, which can be heard from meters away and the water expelled by it reaches up to 8 meters in height.
The breeding season for right whales runs from July to November, with September being the month with the highest occurrence of these animals in Santa Catarina waters.
The semi-albino calf swimming next to its mother
*Created in 2015, the Australis Institute works to maintain right whale research and monitoring activities through the Project called ProFRANCA (Austral Franca Project), financed with sponsorship from Petrobras.
