Capture and release of Minke whales offers new research opportunities, including measurements of mysticete hearing

Predicting and mitigating anthropogenic ocean noise impacts on marine animals is hindered by a lack of information on hearing in these species. We established a catch-and-release program to temporarily hold adolescent Minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) for hearing tests during their summer migration. In 2023, two Minke whales provided measures of the auditory brainstem response and data on the frequency range of their hearing. Results show that Minke whales are sensitive to sound frequencies as high as 45 – 90 kHz. These tests provide information on the types of anthropogenic noise that could affect Minke whales and, at least, other related baleen whale species., This data was acquired using the Evoked Response Study Tool created by Dr. James Finneran at the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific. The data consists of binary files of recordings made with a data acquisition system from National Instruments. The system digitized voltages collected from the skin surface and produced in response to the transmission of an acoustic stimulus. The voltages were filtered (0.3-3 kHz or 0.03-3 kHz) and amplified (94 dB) prior to digitization at a rate of 250 kHz. Each binary file is associated with .aep file. The .aep file is a text file containing a header with a description of the data collection parameters and text showing the processed output of the binary file. Processing consisted of the coherent averaging of segments from within the binary file.  , , # Data from: Capture and release of Minke whales offers new research opportunities, including measurements of mysticete hearing

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m905qfvb7](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m905qfvb7)

## Description of the data and file structure

This data was collected as part of a hearing study conducted in a small baleen whale, the Minke whale (*Balaenoptera acutorostrata*). Data collection was performed in the region of Lofoten in Norway. Animals were temporarily caught and held for the hearing tests, and then released back into the wild. The hearing tests were performed by collecting auditory evoked potentials, which are small voltages produced by the brain in response to hearing a sound. The evoked potentials were recorded with non-invasive suction cup electrodes attached to the skin of the whales. Evoked potentials were generated by transmitting various acoustic signals to the whale through an underwater transducer.

### Files and variables

#### File: Minke\_whale\_...

预测和缓解人为海洋噪声对海洋动物的影响，因缺乏这些物种的听觉信息而受阻。我们建立了一个捕捞释放项目，在小须鲸（Balaenoptera acutorostrata）夏季洄游期间临时饲养未成年个体，以进行听力测试。2023年，两只小须鲸提供了听觉脑干反应（auditory brainstem response）的测量值及听觉频率范围数据。结果显示小须鲸对高达45–90 kHz的声音频率敏感。这些测试提供了可能影响小须鲸及至少其他相关须鲸物种的人为噪声类型信息。

该数据通过海军信息战中心太平洋分部（Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific）James Finneran博士创建的诱发反应研究工具（Evoked Response Study Tool）获取。数据包含使用National Instruments的数据采集系统录制的二进制文件。该系统将从皮肤表面采集的、响应声学刺激传输产生的电压数字化。电压在以250 kHz速率数字化前经过滤波（0.3-3 kHz或0.03-3 kHz）和放大（94 dB）处理。每个二进制文件关联一个.aep文件。.aep文件是文本文件，包含一个描述数据采集参数的头部，以及显示二进制文件处理输出的文本内容。处理包括对二进制文件内的片段进行相干平均。

# 数据来源：小须鲸的捕捞与释放为研究提供新机遇，包括须鲸听觉测量

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m905qfvb7](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m905qfvb7)

## 数据与文件结构描述

该数据是针对小型须鲸——小须鲸（Balaenoptera acutorostrata）的听觉研究的一部分。数据采集在挪威罗弗敦（Lofoten）地区进行。动物被临时捕获并饲养以进行听力测试，随后放归野外。听力测试通过采集听觉诱发电位（auditory evoked potentials）进行，即大脑响应声音产生的微小电压。诱发电位通过附着在鲸鱼皮肤上的非侵入性吸盘电极记录。诱发电位通过水下换能器向鲸鱼传输各种声学信号产生。

### 文件与变量

#### 文件：Minke_whale_...