The sacrifices female killer whales continue to make for their sons well after they are weaned is negatively affecting their reproductive health, according to new scientific research.
, this population is one of two that receives special protection under the law, due to its decline.
A statistical analysis model was used to determine whether a female whale had successfully reproduced in a given year, and if that calf survived its first year of life. But the researchers found that sons do not become less costly to mothers as they age. Mother whales share food with their sons even into their adulthood, when they do not provide the same help to their daughters.
The authors also theorize that another factor in the difference in treatment may be that female whales recognize that their daughters reproduce in the same group, which can lead to “reproductive conflict.” A son’s offspring are more likely to be born in another matriline, meaning those offspring are less likely to compete with the mother.
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