Taxonomy
Pseudorca crassidens | False Killer Whale
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
| HABITATS DIRECTIVE ARTICLE 17 REPORTING |
| Range | Unknown |
| Population | Unknown |
| Habitat | Unknown |
| Future Prospects | Unknown |
| Overall Assessment of Conservation Status | Unknown |
| Overall Trend in Conservation Status | N / A |
No live records for this vagrant species were obtained for Irish waters during the Article 17 reporting period
2007-2012.
Source: NPWS 2013.
IUCN Conservation Status |
| Ireland | Not Evaluated* |
| Europe (1) | Not Applicable** |
| Global (2) | Data Deficient |
* There is currently no Irish Red List for Marine Mammals.
** For regional assessments under IUCN Regional Red List Guidelines the category 'Not Applicable' may be used for species that , amongst other reasons, occur in the region being assessed but at very low numbers or as vagrant species, .
Source: IUCN 2012.
Legal status
Protected by the following legal instruments:
- Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) Annex IV
- Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) Appendix II
- Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II
- Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans in the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS)*
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 812/2004
- Wildlife Act (1976)
- Wildlife (Amendment) Act (2000)
- Whale Fisheries Act 1937
Native status
Vagrant.
The 2008 IUCN Global Red List assessment account for this species lists Ireland as one of the countries where it is native, however Pseudorca crassidens is considered a vagrant in Irish waters for the purposes of Habitats Directive reporting.
Sources: Taylor, B.L. et al 2008; NPWS 2013.
There have been confirmed sighting in Irish waters in the early 2000s, however prior to that was only an unconfirmed sighting in 1971.
Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
In 30 years from 1976 only 5 live sightings were made in U.K. waters.
Source: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008.
Species Biology
Identification
- Average length adult female : c. 4.5m
- Average length adult male: c. 5.4m
- Maximum length adult female: 5.1m
- Maximum length adult male: 6.1m
- Calf birth-length: c. 1.6m - 1.9m
- Average adult weight: c. 1.2 - 2 tonnes.
- Head Shape: Slender head that tapers.
- Beak: Rounded snout that overhangs the lower jaw. Above the mouth-line a crease trails below the eye to the top of the head.
- Dorsal fin: Tall curved dorsal fin, halfway along the body.
- Pectoral fin: Different to many other whales in that they have a unique elbow like that of the long finned pilot whale. This is identified by a broad hump on the leading edge, which resembles a shoulder
- Colouration: Dark body colour, predominantly black, save for the odd faint grey mark on the head and throat and sometimes on the underside.
- Markings: Scars quite often present on various parts of individuals.
Habitat
The False Killer Whale is a species not likely to be encountered in shallow continental shelf waters. It is very much a species of tropical to warm temperate waters worldwide although individuals or small groups will occasionally be found at higher latitudes.
Source: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008.
Habitat;
- Open marine water (MW1)
Sources: Harris S.,Yalden D.W., 2008; Fossitt, J.A., 2001.
Reproduction
- Estimated average life expectancy: 30-40 years.
- Female sexual maturity: c. 8-14 years.
- Male sexual maturity: c. 8-14 years.
- Mating: No known seasonal limit.
- Gestation: Approximately c.11-14 months.
- Calving: No known seasonal limit.
Calving interval may be as long as seven years, with calves weaned after 18 to 24 months.
Source: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008.
Threats faced
In the Article 17 Habitats Directive reporting for the period 2007-2012 no Threats were listed for this species.
Source: NPWS 2013.
In the 2007 European Regional IUCN Red List assessment, although the species is classified as 'Not Applicable', there are potential threats to the species identified;
- Reduction in availability of prey
- Mortality due to entanglement in fishing gear
- Noise pollution
Conservation actions
In the Article 17 Habitats Directive reporting for the period 2007-2012 no Conservation Measures in place or in the process of being implemented during the period were listed for this species.
Source: NPWS 2013.
Suggested Conservation Actions in the 2007 European Regional IUCN Red List assessment and the 2012 Global IUCN Red List assessment for this species included;
- More research into abundance estimates, by-catch data and migratory behaviour.
In a 2009 Cetacean Action Plan for Ireland a total of 41 Actions were identified as part of the plan. The plan and the 2013 review of the plan are available from the NPWS website.
Source: DEHLG 2009.
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Widespread distribution, although the species is mainly a tropical to warm-temperate zone species.
Source: IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group 2007.
Accuracy of world distribution shown in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) map below will be constrained by, amongst other factors, data held but not shared by countries and organizations not participating in the GBIF.
Irish distribution
Very rarely recorded in Irish waters, however recorded at 4 locations in Irish waters during European Seabirds at Sea Survey in the early 2000's, in deep water off the south west coast (3 sightings) and over Rockall Rise (1).
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
How can you help
The National Biodiversity Data Centre is trying to
improve our knowledge on the distribution of the False Killer Whale in
Ireland. Should you observe this species, please submit
sightings to add to the database. Detailed observations will assist us
gaining a better insight into where the species
is most abundant in Ireland and we might also be able to detect
regional variations. Please submit any sightings and photographs at:
http://records.biodiversityireland.ie/index.php
All
records submitted online can be viewed on Google Maps – once checked
and validated these will be added to the database and made available for
conservation and research.
Further information
For further information contact Dr. Liam Lysaght llysaght@biodiversityireland.ie
References
Publications
DEHLG 2009 Conservation Plan for Cetaceans in Irish waters.
Fossitt, J.A. (2001) A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council
Harris S., Yalden D.W. (2008). Mammals of the British Isles :Handbook, 4th Edition. The Mammal Society.
IUCN. (2012). Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41p
Species account by IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group; regional assessment by European Mammal Assessment team 2007. Pseudorca crassidens. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 16 October 2014.
NPWS (2013) The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. Species Assessments Volume 3. Version 1.0. Unpublished Report, National Parks & Wildlife Services. Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin, Ireland.
NPWS (2013a) Delivery Schedule for Actions listed in the Conservation Plan for Cetaceans in Irish waters – June 2013
Taylor, B.L., Baird, R., Barlow, J., Dawson, S.M., Ford, J., Mead, J.G., Notarbartolo di Sciara, G., Wade, P. & Pitman, R.L. 2008. Pseudorca crassidens. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 16 October 2014.
Wall, D., Murray, C., O’Brien, J., Kavanagh, L., Wilson, C., Ryan, C., Glanville, B., Williams, D., Enlander, I., O’Connor, I., McGrath, D., Whooley, P. & Berrow, S. (2013). Atlas of the Distribution and Relative Abundance of Marine Mammals in Irish Offshore Waters: 2005 – 2011. Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Kilrush, Co. Clare.