Seasonal occurrence and annual return of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, in the southern Gulf of Maine

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 440-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip J. Clapham ◽  
Lisa S. Baraff ◽  
Carole A. Carlson ◽  
Margaret A. Christian ◽  
David K. Mattila ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Rate Of Return ◽  
Seasonal Occurrence ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
The Mean

A study of 518 individually identified humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the southern Gulf of Maine between 1979 and 1988 showed high rates of both within-season occurrence and annual return. On average, 77.3% of whales were resighted on more than 1 day during the year (maximum 83 days), with occupancies ranging from 1 to 324 days (mean 88.1 days). The mean rate of return of individuals in consecutive years was 73.2% (range 59.1–87.4%), and the majority of whales were still being resighted up to 10 years later. Only 13 humpbacks were recorded during 50 midwinter surveys. Variation in the occurrence of individuals appears to be related to variability in the abundance of prey and perhaps to regional preferences.

Sex differences in site fidelity and migration of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to the Hawaiian Islands

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (11) ◽  
pp. 1923-1933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison S. Craig ◽  
Louis M. Herman
Keyword(s):  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Hawaiian Islands ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Wintering Area ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Feeding Grounds

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) perform extensive seasonal migrations between high-latitude summer feeding grounds and low-latitude winter reproductive grounds. To investigate gender-related site fidelity to the Hawaiian Islands, an important wintering area for North Pacific humpback whales, photographically based resight histories of 224 females and 416 males observed in Hawai'i from 1976 through 1991 were compiled. Results indicated that the mean number of years in which they were seen was higher for males than for females, that the probability of an individual being resighted across years was higher for males than for females, and that more males than females were seen in consecutive years. Potential sources of bias favoring the photographic capture of males were considered, but none were judged to be significant contributors to the results obtained. It was proposed instead that not all females undertake or complete the migration to the winter grounds each year. Because of the high energy costs of migration and reproduction, some females may overwinter in high latitudes, while others may become pregnant en route to the area traditionally associated with breeding and return to the feeding grounds before arriving at the terminal winter destination.

Local and migratory movements of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) satellite-tracked in the North Atlantic Ocean

2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.S. Kennedy ◽  
A.N. Zerbini ◽  
O.V. Vásquez ◽  
N. Gandilhon ◽  
P.J. Clapham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dominican Republic ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
North Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
The North ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Multiple Feeding ◽  
Feeding Grounds

North Atlantic humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski, 1781)) migrate from high-latitude summer feeding grounds to low-latitude winter breeding grounds along the Antillean Island chain. In the winters and springs of 2008 through 2012, satellite tags were deployed on humpback whales on Silver Bank (Dominican Republic) and in Guadeloupe (French West Indies) breeding areas. Whales were monitored, on average, for 26 days (range = 4–90 days). Some animals remained near their tagging location for multiple days before beginning their northerly migration, yet some visited habitats along the northwestern coast of the Dominican Republic, northern Haiti, the Turks and Caicos islands, and off Anguilla. Individuals monitored during migration headed towards feeding grounds in the Gulf of Maine (USA), Canada, and the eastern North Atlantic (Iceland or Norway). One individual traveled near Bermuda during the migration. This study provides the first detailed description of routes used by North Atlantic humpback whales towards multiple feeding destinations. Additionally, it corroborates previous research showing that individuals from multiple feeding grounds migrate to the Antilles for the breeding season. This study indicates that North Atlantic humpbacks use an area broader than the existing boundaries of marine mammal sanctuaries, which should provide justification for their expansion.

Stable social associations among humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the southern Gulf of Maine

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 3012-3019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mason T. Weinrich
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Feeding Styles ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Stable Association ◽  
Social Associations ◽  
Stable Pairs ◽  
Net Energy Gain

Groups of humpack whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were observed from 1980 to 1987 on their feeding grounds in the southern Gulf of Maine. Although most groups were together for only brief periods, two types of stable association were found: 'continuous' (individual whales associated for at least 7 consecutive days; n = 30) or 'recurring' (individuals associated at least five times in a 6-week period; n = 21). Thirty-seven stable pairs and 3 stable trios involving 56 individual whales were recorded; 11 stable pairs re-associated during more than 1 year. Continuous associations lasted up to 79 days (mean 29.65). Thirty of the 40 associations (75.0%) contained only adults. Females were present in 22 adult associations (73.3%), whereas males were present in only 8 (26.6%). Females sighted with a calf the following year, and therefore pregnant, were members of 6 of the 11 (54.5%) associations that reformed. It is hypothesized that stable associations allow adult females to maximize their net energy gain through cooperative feeding, and may be comprised of closely related animals or individuals with compatible feeding styles.

scholarly journals The Influence of Maternal Lineages on Social Affiliations among Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on Their Feeding Grounds in the Southern Gulf of Maine

2006 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mason T. Weinrich ◽  
Howard Rosenbaum ◽  
C Scott Baker ◽  
Alexis L. Blackmer ◽  
Hal Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Social Affiliations ◽  
Feeding Grounds

Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) Fatally Poisoned by Dinoflagellate Toxin

1989 ◽  
Vol 46 (11) ◽  
pp. 1895-1898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph R. Geraci ◽  
Donald M. Anderson ◽  
Ralph J. Timperi ◽  
David J. St. Aubin ◽  
Gregory A. Early ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Cape Cod ◽  
Shellfish Poisoning ◽  
Atlantic Mackerel ◽  
Cape Cod Bay

During a 5–wk period beginning in late November, 1987, 14 humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, died in Cape Cod Bay after eating Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus, containing saxitoxin (STX), a dinoflagellate neurotoxin responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning in humans. We propose a line of evidence to explain how whales, by virtue of their diving adaptations, may be particularly vulnerable to this systemic neurotoxin. Absence of STX in New England waters and shellfish during the episode suggests that the mackerel, representing the northern stock which spawns in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, accumulated the toxin there and delivered it to the Gulf of Maine and Cape Cod Bay in the fall of 1987. These findings challenge common perceptions of the manner in which planktonic toxins move through the food chain, and offer new insights into natural mortality and standings of marine mammals. It seems appropriate to search for STX and other phytotoxins when investigating marine mammal mortalities.

Age at attainment of sexual maturity in humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
pp. 1470-1472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip J. Clapham
Keyword(s):  
West Indies ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Annual Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Layer ◽  
The West ◽  
Similar Range ◽  
Layer Groups

Twelve female humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the southern Gulf of Maine produced first-observed calves at ages ranging from 5 to 7 years. These data confirm that most females of this species attain sexual maturity at an average age of approximately 5 years. Observations in the West Indies of two males, aged 6 and 7 years, engaged in breeding-related behavior that is characteristic of mature animals suggests that males attain sexual maturity within a similar range of ages to females, although they may not be able to successfully engage in intrasexual competition until later in life. These data imply that the examination of ear plugs to determine the age of dead humpback whales should be based upon an assumed annual growth rate of two growth layer groups, not one.

scholarly journals Bottom side-roll feeding by humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the southern Gulf of Maine, U.S.A

2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 494-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Ware ◽  
David N. Wiley ◽  
Ari S. Friedlaender ◽  
Mason Weinrich ◽  
Elliott L. Hazen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Bottom Side

Vessel collision injuries on live humpback whales,Megaptera novaeangliae, in the southern Gulf of Maine

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 558-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex N. Hill ◽  
Caitlin Karniski ◽  
Jooke Robbins ◽  
Tom Pitchford ◽  
Sean Todd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales

Spatial distribution, habitat utilization, and social interactions of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, off Hawai'i, determined using acoustic and visual techniques

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 1134-1146 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Frankel ◽  
C. W. Clark ◽  
L. M. Herman ◽  
C. M. Gabriele
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Separation Distance ◽  
Habitat Utilization ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Visual Methods ◽  
Acoustic Data ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Water Depths

Acoustic and visual methods were used to track and observe humpback whales off the island of Hawai'i. Sixty-two singing whales were located acoustically in water depths from 10 to 305 fathoms (mean 126 fathoms; 1 fathom = 1.828 m). This indicates that singers are not confined within the 100-fathom contour, although nearshore waters had a higher density of singers. The separation distance between singers (mean 5.1 km) was found to be significantly greater than that between nonsinging singletons (mean 2.1 km), supporting the hypothesis that song functions to maintain spacing between singers. The mean speed of singers determined from visual data was 1.79 km/h and from acoustic data 1.6 km/h. Some singers actively swam while singing. Other singers continued singing while affiliating with or being joined by other whales. The correlation between breaching and the cessation of singing suggests that the sounds of aerial behavior can convey information to other whales. These observations suggest the need to expand the traditional interpretations of the behavior of singing humpback whales obtained from visual observations alone.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document