Published on: Mar 02, 2026
New research from the University of St Andrews, published in Current Biology, reveals that the role of age in male humpback whale reproduction has shifted as populations recover from centuries of whaling.
While commercial whaling drastically reduced whale numbers, its effects extended beyond population size. Analyzing nearly two decades of data from humpback whales breeding in New Caledonia collected through long-term monitoring by Opération Cétacés researchers found that early recovery phases were dominated by younger males. As populations rebounded, age distribution balanced, and older males became increasingly successful at fathering calves.
Using genetic paternity testing and an epigenetic “molecular clock” from small skin samples, the team showed that experienced males gained a reproductive advantage over time. This may reflect learned behaviors such as complex singing displays and competitive strategies, as well as increased female selectivity in a growing population.
Led by scientists at the Sea Mammal Research Unit, the study highlights how the legacy of whaling continues to shape whale behavior and reproduction and underscores the importance of long-term monitoring as populations recover.
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