Collecting baleen whale blow samples by drone: a minimally intrusive tool for conservation genetics

In coastal British Columbia, Canada, marine megafauna such as humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus velifera) have been subject to a history of exploitation and near extirpation. While their populations have been in recovery, significant threats are posed by proposed natural resource ventures in this region, in addition to the compounding effects of increasingly severe marine heatwaves. Genetic tools play a vital role in informing conservation efforts, but the associated collection of tissue biopsy samples can be challenging for the investigators and disruptive to the ongoing behaviour of the targeted whales. Here we evaluate a minimally intrusive approach based on collecting exhaled breath condensate, or respiratory ‘blow’ samples, from baleen whales using an unoccupied aerial system (UAS), within Gitga’at First Nation territory for conservation genetics. Minimal behavioural responses to the sampling technique were observed, with no response det..., Blow samples were collected in sterile Petri dishes attached to an Unoccupied Aerial System (UAS) or drone, which was flown through several breaths from an individual baleen whale (primarily humpback whales). These samples were paired with photo-identification of each individual. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA was extracted, and microsatellite genotypes, mtDNA haplotypes, and sex were determined where possible. , , # Collecting baleen whale blow samples by drone: a minimally intrusive tool for conservation genetics

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.6djh9w185](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.6djh9w185)

This submission includes three worksheets with the information required to replicate the primary analyses underlying the conclusions of the article:

O’Mahony, É. N., Sremba, A., Keen, E., Robinson, N., Dundas, A., Steel, D., Wray, J., Baker, S., Gaggiotti, O. Collecting baleen whale blow samples by drone: a minimally intrusive tool for conservation genetics.

## Description of the data and file structure

All data files have additional Excel sheets called 'Title and Abstract' and 'ReadMe'. Data files are as follows:

### mtDNA-Haplotype-Frequencies-OMahony-etal-2024.xlsx

* This submission includes a worksheet with the mtDNA haplotype frequencies and associated sequences found through blow sampling of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Gitga’at First Nation territory, Northern British Columb...