Diel patterns in singing activity of humpback whales in a winter breeding area in Okinawan (Ryukyuan) waters

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nozomi Kobayashi ◽  
Haruna Okabe ◽  
Naoto Higashi ◽  
Hirokazu Miyahara ◽  
Senzo Uchida
Keyword(s):  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Breeding Area ◽  
Diel Patterns ◽  
Singing Activity ◽  
Winter Breeding

Habitat segregation by female humpback whales in Hawaiian waters: avoidance of males?

Behaviour ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 151 (5) ◽  
pp. 613-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison S. Craig ◽  
Louis M. Herman ◽  
Adam A. Pack ◽  
James O. Waterman
Keyword(s):  
Swimming Speed ◽  
Significant Positive Correlation ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Shallow Waters ◽  
Habitat Segregation ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Energetic Costs ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Number Of Males ◽  
Winter Breeding

Humpback whales congregate annually in low-latitude winter breeding and calving grounds. While on these grounds, females with a dependent calf (‘maternal females’) are sometimes closely attended by one or more male escorts. Using data collected from a shore-based observation platform in the Hawaiian Islands, we tested the hypothesis that the spatial distribution of maternal females is driven primarily by avoidance of males. As predicted, we found that (1) pods containing a calf occurred in significantly shallower water than pods that did not contain a calf, (2) unescorted maternal females occurred in significantly shallower water than escorted maternal females, (3) the number of males escorting a female decreased significantly with decreasing water depth, and (4) the swimming speed of maternal females increased as a function of male presence, with escorted females travelling significantly more rapidly than unescorted females and a significant positive correlation between swimming speed and number of escorts. We suggest that maternal females incur increased energetic costs when escorted by males and consequently position themselves in shallow waters to reduce the likelihood of unwanted male attention.

scholarly journals Interchange and movements of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) between western North Pacific winter breeding grounds in northern Luzon, Philippines and Okinawa, Japan

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-53
Author(s):  
Jo Marie Acebes ◽  
Haruna Okabe ◽  
Nozomi Kobayashi ◽  
Shotaro Nakagun ◽  
Naoto Higashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Pacific ◽  
Western North Pacific ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Distinct Population Segment ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Population Segment ◽  
Winter Breeding

Humpback whales wintering in the northern Philippines and Okinawa, Japan, belong to the western North Pacific subpopulation, now recognised as a distinct population segment. The numbers for this subpopulation are low hence it is being proposed to be listed as endangered. Although previous research revealed movements between breeding grounds, the relationship between these areas remain little understood. Recent survey efforts in the Philippines resulted in a total of 234 photo-identified individuals from 1999-2016 while Okinawa had 1,445 from 1991-2014. Within the seasons a total of 100 matches were found between the two breeding grounds including 38 males and 24 females while the rest were unknown. Within these matches, eight individuals were recorded moving within seasons, including two individuals moving across seasons multiple times. The two whales were both males, where one was recorded in both breeding grounds in three different seasons (2005, 2008 and 2012). The shortest duration of recorded sightings between grounds was one whale seen in the Philippines in late March 2012 and in Okinawa 13 days later. More females with calves were sighted in the Philippines than in Okinawa and this may indicate the Philippines as a preferred nursing ground.

scholarly journals The 2005 Galápagos humpback whale expedition: a first attempt to assess and characterise the population in the Archipelago

2020 ◽  
pp. 291-299
Author(s):  
Fernando Félix ◽  
Daniel M. Palacios ◽  
Sandie K. Salazar ◽  
Susana Caballero ◽  
Ben Haase ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Humpback Whale ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Encounter Rate ◽  
Santa Fe ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Breeding Area ◽  
Skin Sample ◽  
Breeding Stock ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Antarctic

It has been known for some time that humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) occur in waters of the Galápagos Islands, an oceanic archipelagolocated 1,000km west of Ecuador, South America (1°S, 91°W), but their presence there has been poorly documented. Although presumed, nolinkage has been established between Galápagos and southeast Pacific humpback whales (Breeding Stock G), the nearest breeding stock. Anexpedition to Galápagos was carried out between 31 August and 10 September 2005 to document the presence of humpback whales, their distribution,and their relationship to other stocks in the Pacific. Surveys covered 722km of the central and southern parts of the archipelago. Only one adultwith a newborn calf was found at Santa Fé Island (0°47’S, 90°05.1’W), yielding an encounter rate of 0.27 whales per 100km of survey. A hydrophonewith a response frequency range of 0.25–25kHz was dropped 25 times, but no whale sounds were heard. A skin sample was obtained by darting ofthe adult at Santa Fé, and was used for genetic analysis of the mtDNA control region. The haplotype of the Galápagos specimen has been found ina few individuals sampled previously off Colombia, Ecuador and the Antarctic Peninsula, thus establishing at least some degree of relatedness withBreeding Stock G. The observations, combined with a compilation of historical and recent sighting information in the archipelago, support the ideathat Galápagos is a breeding area for the species. Further studies are needed to establish the level of discreteness, size and other basic aspects of theGalápagos humpback whale population.

scholarly journals Song structure and singing activity of two separate humpback whales populations wintering off the coast of Caño Island in Costa Rica

2019 ◽  
Vol 146 (6) ◽  
pp. EL509-EL515
Author(s):  
Emma Chereskin ◽  
Lucas Beck ◽  
Mónica P. Gamboa-Poveda ◽  
José D. Palacios-Alfaro ◽  
Ronald Monge-Arias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Song Structure ◽  
Singing Activity

Pod Characteristics of Migrating Humpback Whales (Megaptera Novaeangliae) Off the East Australian Coast

Behaviour ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 132 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 163-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Corkeron ◽  
Miranda Brown
Keyword(s):  
Mate Guarding ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Spatial Proximity ◽  
Breeding Area ◽  
Cooperative Interactions ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Competitive Behaviour ◽  
Female Pair ◽  
Skin Biopsies ◽  
Size And Sex Composition

AbstractThe size and sex composition of migrating humpback whale pods were investigated off the east Australian coast. Two hundred and thirty one singletons, 257 pairs, 63 trios, 7 quads and 4 pods containing more than 5 individuals were observed during two land-based surveys carried out throughout the northward migration in 1991 and 1993. Generally humpback whales migrated northward towards the breeding area in pods of I or 2 individuals. In 1992, a biopsy study was carried out throughout the northward and southward migrations. Pods migrating southward (mean = 2.59, SE = 0.19) towards the feeding areas were significantly larger than those travelling north (mean = 1.75, SE = 0.03). The sex of 134 individuals in 63 complete pods was determined by molecular analysis of skin biopsies. Male humpback whales were found in larger pods than females. The most common pod type observed was the male-female pair, which is suggestive of either mating on migration and/or mate-guarding. Males were found associated together frequently. Competitive behaviour was observed during both the northward and southward migrations. The sexing of all individuals within 8 competitive pods indicated that not all contained a female. Although competitive behaviour was observed during the migration, most male-male associations were charactcrised by non-agonistic and occasionally cooperative interactions. We suggest there is a behavioural continuum on migration between the feeding and breeding grounds which is not governed solely by spatial proximity to the terminus. The pod characteristics of humpback whales on their return migration to the feeding grounds showed greatest similarity to those observed on breeding grounds elsewhere. In conclusion, our study showed that the migration of humpback whales is more

scholarly journals Aerial behavior of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae at the southern limit of the southeast Pacific breeding area

2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aldo S Pacheco ◽  
Sebastian Silva ◽  
Belen Alcorta ◽  
Nadia Balducci ◽  
Chiara Guidino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Breeding Area ◽  
Southern Limit ◽  
Southeast Pacific

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the surrounding waters of Isabel Island in western-central Mexico: unveiling a little-known wintering area

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Fabiola L. Zavala-Alarcón ◽  
Astrid Frisch-Jordán ◽  
Verónica Carolina Rosas-Espinoza ◽  
Hiram Rosales-Nanduca
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Mexican Pacific ◽  
The North ◽  
Continental Coast ◽  
Singing Activity ◽  
Wintering Area ◽  
The North Pacific

Abstract The humpback whales which breed in the Mexican Pacific represent an important fraction (~38%) of the estimated population of the North Pacific. Despite the importance of Mexican waters for the reproductive habits of this species, little is known about the ecology of these whales, along the continental coast of Mexico. We analysed the temporal variation of abundance, group types, and inter- and intra-annual recapture rates in the waters adjacent to Isabel Island National Park as well as intra- and inter-seasonal movements with Banderas Bay breeding areas. Inter- and intra-annual recapture rates in Isabel Island National Park were low (1.8%); while 34% of 222 individuals photo-identified in Isabel Island National Park were also recaptured in Banderas Bay. Groups with calves were uncommon (9.5%), while pairs (33.5%) and competitive groups (29.5%) were more common. Intense singing activity was detected in the waters adjacent to Isabel Island. These waters seem to function as a reproductive corridor for the so-called ‘coastal stock’ of humpback whales in the waters adjacent to the continental coast of the Mexican Pacific. Therefore, mid- and long-term studies are needed to understand the dynamics of these displacements. Our findings suggest that Isabel Island National Park is an important area for the mating ecology of the humpback whales of the continental waters of the Mexican coast, and support the initiative to incorporate a Marine Protected Area within the Isabel Island National Park.

scholarly journals Patterns of Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Humpback Whales at the Southern Limit of the Southeast Pacific Breeding Area

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e112627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Guidino ◽  
Miguel A. Llapapasca ◽  
Sebastian Silva ◽  
Belen Alcorta ◽  
Aldo S. Pacheco
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Distribution ◽  
Breeding Area ◽  
Southern Limit ◽  
Southeast Pacific

scholarly journals Sex-specific timing of mate searching and territory prospecting in the nightingale: nocturnal life of females

2009 ◽  
Vol 276 (1664) ◽  
pp. 2045-2050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Roth ◽  
Philipp Sprau ◽  
Rouven Schmidt ◽  
Marc Naguib ◽  
Valentin Amrhein
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Temporal Patterns ◽  
Diel Variation ◽  
Mate Searching ◽  
Diel Patterns ◽  
Luscinia Megarhynchos ◽  
Signal Evaluation ◽  
Singing Activity ◽  
Territory Occupancy ◽  
Specific Timing

Formal models have shown that diel variation in female mate searching is likely to have profound influence on daily signalling routines of males. In studies on acoustic communication, the temporal patterns of the receivers' signal evaluation should thus be taken into account when investigating the functions of signalling. In bird species in which diel patterns of signalling differ between males singing to defend a territory or to attract a mate, the diel patterns of mate and territory prospecting are suggested to depend on the sex of the prospector. We simulated newly arriving female nightingales ( Luscinia megarhynchos ) by translocating radio-tagged females to our study site. The mate-searching females prospected the area mostly at night, visiting several singing males. The timing of female prospecting corresponded to the period of the night when the singing activity of unpaired males was higher than that of paired males. In contrast to females, territory searching males have been shown to prospect territories almost exclusively during the dawn chorus. At dawn, both paired and unpaired males sang at high rates, suggesting that in contrast to nocturnal singing, dawn singing is important to announce territory occupancy to prospecting males. In the nightingale, the sex-specific timing of prospecting corresponded to the differential signalling routines of paired and unpaired males. The temporal patterns in the behaviour of signallers and receivers thus appear to be mutually adapted.

scholarly journals Whale distribution in a breeding area: spatial models of habitat use and abundance of western South Atlantic humpback whales

2017 ◽  
Vol 585 ◽  
pp. 213-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
GA Bortolotto ◽  
D Danilewicz ◽  
PS Hammond ◽  
L Thomas ◽  
AN Zerbini
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Spatial Models ◽  
South Atlantic ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Breeding Area
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