Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) Migration and Calling Behaviour in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea, Autumn 2001–04: An Acoustic Localization Study

ARCTIC ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanna B. Blackwell ◽  
W.J. Richardson ◽  
C.R. Greene, Jr. ◽  
B. Streever
Keyword(s):  
Beaufort Sea ◽  
Bowhead Whale ◽  
Balaena Mysticetus ◽  
Localization Study ◽  
Acoustic Localization ◽  
Calling Behaviour

Satellite-monitored movements of radio-tagged bowhead whales in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas during the late-summer feeding season and fall migration

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 1168-1181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce R Mate ◽  
Gregory K Krutzikowsky ◽  
Martha H Winsor
Keyword(s):  
Shallow Water ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Beaufort Sea ◽  
River Delta ◽  
Bowhead Whale ◽  
Balaena Mysticetus ◽  
Bowhead Whales ◽  
Russian Waters ◽  
Summer Feeding

From 30 August to 6 September 1992, we tagged 12 juvenile bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) with Argos satellite-monitored radio tags in the Canadian Beaufort Sea off the Mackenzie River Delta. Eight tags documented [Formula: see text]9820 km of movements between 392 locations during 111 whale-tracking days. The whales did not move in unison. Individual movements and average speeds (1.1-5.8 km/h) varied widely. One whale stayed in Mackenzie Bay for 23.5 d, while the rest stayed an average of only 2.4 d. The majority of locations for all whales were in shallow water: 65% at <50 m depth and 87% at <100 m depth. Seven whales went into water >100 m deep and four were in water >500 m deep. The whale with the longest record traveled [Formula: see text]3886 km to Siberia in 32.5 d, averaging 5.0 km/h. Its westerly route through the Beaufort and Chukchi seas was between 70° and 72°N and primarily in heavy ice ([Formula: see text]90% coverage), which was continuous west of 151°W. This whale's speed was faster, though not significantly, in heavy ice than in more open water. This is the first detailed documentation of the route and speed of a bowhead whale during its fall migration from Canadian to Russian waters.

scholarly journals Observations of Beachcast Bowhead Whales (Balaena mysticetus) in the Southeastern Beaufort Sea and Amundsen Gulf, 1987–2016

2018 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
pp. 270-279
Author(s):  
Lois A. Harwood ◽  
Ellen V. Lea ◽  
Stephen A. Raverty ◽  
Patricia A. Hall ◽  
Erin Linn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beaufort Sea ◽  
Bowhead Whale ◽  
Grizzly Bears ◽  
Balaena Mysticetus ◽  
Adult Group ◽  
Mature Adult ◽  
Bowhead Whales ◽  
Mature Adults ◽  
Amundsen Gulf ◽  
Summer Feeding

Each spring, most Bowhead Whales (Balaena mysticetus) of the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort (BCB) population migrate to the Canadian Beaufort Sea and Amundsen Gulf for summer feeding. Occasionally, Inuvialuit hunters and others observe beachcast (stranded) or adrift Bowhead Whale carcasses. From 1987 to 2016, 26 such occurrences were recorded. Most (65%) were found by Inuvialuit hunters travelling on the land, with the majority (54%) reported during 2000–2006. Bowhead Whale carcasses were found widely distributed throughout the region, with twice as many in Amundsen Gulf (65%) compared with the southeastern Beaufort Sea (35%). It was possible to measure or estimate standard length for 17 of 26 specimens, and all were either provisional ‘subadults’ (7–9.5 m; n = 10; 59%) or provisional ‘mature adults’ (13–16 m; n = 7; 41%). The cause(s) of mortality was not determined for any of the specimens. Whales in the ‘subadult’ group were likely 1–4 years old, while the ‘mature adult’ group were likely mostly mature animals (~25 y), including some potentially very old (>100 y). There was evidence or direct observation of Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) and/or Grizzly Bears (U. arctos) scavenging at 60% of the carcasses for which presence or absence of bears or bear sign (scats and/or tracks) was reported. It is important to continue to record incidental observations of beachcast Bowhead Whales, as this may enable stranding rates to be evaluated.

Spatial components of bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) distribution in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea

2000 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
pp. 2193-2200 ◽  
Author(s):  
R S Schick ◽  
D L Urban
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Analysis ◽  
Beaufort Sea ◽  
Bowhead Whale ◽  
Oil Exploration ◽  
Balaena Mysticetus ◽  
Bowhead Whales ◽  
Drilling Rig ◽  
Mantel Tests ◽  
Marine Realm ◽  
Drilling Rigs

Bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) on their fall migration are exposed to oil exploration activities in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. While previous research into the effect of industrial noise on whale behavior and distribution has noted significant responses, this research has often proceeded from a parametric statistical framework. To account for the presence of spatially autocorrelated and intercorrelated data, we propose a suite of spatial analysis techniques to assess the distribution of bowhead whales relative to oil exploration activities. Using random resampling techniques and Mantel tests, we analyzed the distribution of bowhead whales around active drilling rigs in 1993. Results from the resampling tests indicated that whales were distributed farther from the drilling rig than they would be under a random scenario. Results from the Mantel tests indicated that in 1993, the spatial pattern of bowhead whale distribution was highly correlated with distance from the drilling rig, indicating that the presence of the drilling rig resulted in a significant temporary loss in available habitat. These techniques offer a new perspective on spatial analysis in the marine realm.

Olfaction and brain size in the bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus)

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 282-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. M. Thewissen ◽  
John George ◽  
Cheryl Rosa ◽  
Takushi Kishida
Keyword(s):  
Brain Size ◽  
Bowhead Whale ◽  
Balaena Mysticetus

MICROFLORA ASSOCIATED WITH THE SKIN OF THE BOWHEAD WHALE (BALAENA MYSTICETUS)

1990 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. B. Shotts ◽  
T. F. Albert ◽  
R. E. Wooley ◽  
J. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Bowhead Whale ◽  
Balaena Mysticetus

Evidence for simultaneous sound production in the bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus)

2011 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
pp. 2257-2262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Outi M. Tervo ◽  
Mads Fage Christoffersen ◽  
Susan E. Parks ◽  
Reinhardt Møbjerg Kristensen ◽  
Peter Teglberg Madsen
Keyword(s):  
Sound Production ◽  
Bowhead Whale ◽  
Balaena Mysticetus

Ogmogaster antarcticus Johnston, 1931 (Trematoda: Notocotylidae) from the bowhead whale, Balaena mysticetus L., at Barrow, Alaska

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 1347-1348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry M. Shults
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Host Record ◽  
Bowhead Whale ◽  
Balaena Mysticetus ◽  
New Host ◽  
New Host Record

One specimen of the trematode Ogmogaster antarcticus Johnston, 1931 was recovered from a sample of bowhead whale ingesta collected at Barrow, Alaska. This represents a new host record and extends the known geographic distribution of this helminth some 5000 km by sea north of British Columbia, Canada.

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