Aerial Observation of Feeding Behavior in Four Baleen Whales: Eubalaena glacialis, Balaenoptera borealis, Megaptera novaeangliae, and Balaenoptera physalus

1979 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. Watkins ◽  
W. E. Schevill
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behavior ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Eubalaena Glacialis ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Aerial Observation

scholarly journals Endoparasitic Insights of Free-Living Fin (Balaenoptera physalus), Humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) and North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis) from Eastern Canadian Waters

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kleinertz ◽  
L. M. R. Silva ◽  
S. Köpper ◽  
C. Hermosilla ◽  
C. Ramp
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Eubalaena Glacialis ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Zoonotic Parasite ◽  
North Atlantic Right Whales ◽  
Parasite Infections

Abstract Purpose To date, little is still known on parasite infections affecting free-living large whale populations worldwide. Data presented should be considered as a baseline study for future monitoring surveys on endoparasites affecting whales, thereby enhancing investigations on impacts of zoonotic parasitoses not only on vulnerable or endangered baleen whale population health but also on public health. Methods The presented study is a first report on gastrointestinal parasites infecting different free-living baleen whales inhabiting East Canadian waters using non-invasive methods. Individual faecal samples from fin (n = 3; Balaenoptera physalus), humpback (n = 4; Megaptera novaeangliae) and North Atlantic right whales (n = 1; Eubalaena glacialis) were collected without animal disturbance, within their natural habitats on an ecological expedition during annual surveys in summer 2017. Faecal samples were assessed by standardized diagnostic methods, such as sodium acetate acetic formalin (SAF) technique, carbol fuchsin-stained faecal smears, Giardia/Cryptosporidium coproantigen ELISAs and were applied for further identification. Results Parasitological infections included three different potentially zoonotic parasite species, one protozoa (Entamoeba spp.) and two metazoans (Diphyllobothriidae gen. sp., Ascaridida indet.). No positive Giardia/Cryptosporidium coproantigen ELISA could be found in the studied whales. Conclusion This study adds to the current knowledge of intestinal and zoonotic parasite infections of vulnerable to partly endangered free-ranging baleen whales. Only few or no parasitological studies exist for these whale species, usually dealing with only one dead specimen. We call for more research in this field especially for the importance of conservation of free-living marine mammals using non-invasive methods.

Net Entanglements of Baleen Whales in the Inshore Fishery of Newfoundland

1979 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 521-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Perkins ◽  
P. C. Beamish
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Newfoundland And Labrador ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Minke Whales ◽  
Capelin Mallotus Villosus ◽  
Inshore Waters

This paper documents net entrapments of baleen whales in the inshore waters of Newfoundland and Labrador. The species involved are principally minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Finback whales (Balaenoptera physalus) are also caught in nets but far less frequently. The timing of these entrapments corresponds with the spawning season for capelin (Mallotus villosus) on the beaches around the province. The magnitude and implications of this problem, both to the whales and the fisherman, are assessed. Key words: baleen whales, net entrapments, mortality assessment, capelin, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, B. physalus, Megaptera novaeangliae

scholarly journals Social survival: humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) use social structure to partition ecological niches within proposed critical habitat

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janie Wray ◽  
Eric Keen ◽  
Éadin N. O’Mahony
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Social Structure ◽  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Fjord System ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Niche

ABSTRACTAnimal culture and social bonds are relevant to wildlife conservation because they influence patterns of geography, behavior, and strategies of survival. Numerous examples of socially-driven habitat partitioning and ecological-niche specialization can be found among vertebrates, including toothed whales. But such social-ecological dynamics, described here as ‘social niche partitioning’, are not known among baleen whales, whose societies -- particularly on foraging grounds -- are largely perceived as unstructured and incidental to matters of habitat use and conservation. However, through 16 years of behavioral and photo-identification observations of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) feeding within a fjord system in British Columbia, Canada, we have documented long-term pair bonds (lasting up to 12 years) as well as a complex societal structure, which corresponds closely to persistent patterns in feeding strategy, long-term site fidelity (extended seasonal occupancy and annual rate of return up to 75%), specific geographic preferences within the fjord system, and other forms of habitat use. Randomization tests of network congruency and clustering algorithms were used to test for overlap in patterns of social structure and habitat use, which confirmed the occurrence of social niche partitioning on the feeding grounds of this baleen whale. In addition, we document the extensive practice of group bubble net feeding in Pacific Canada. This coordinated feeding behavior was found to strongly mediate the social structure and habitat use within this humpback whale society. Additionally, during our 2004 – 2019 study, we observed a shift in social network structure in 2010 – 2012, which corresponded with environmental and demographic shifts including a sudden decline in the population’s calving rate. Our findings indicate that the social lives of humpback whales, and perhaps baleen whales generally, are more complex than previously supposed and should be a primary consideration in the assessment of potential impacts to important habitat.

scholarly journals ‘Megapclicks’: acoustic click trains and buzzes produced during night-time foraging of humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae )

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 467-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison K Stimpert ◽  
David N Wiley ◽  
Whitlow W.L Au ◽  
Mark P Johnson ◽  
Roland Arsenault
Keyword(s):  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Baleen Whale ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Acoustic Behaviour ◽  
Suction Cup ◽  
Form Part ◽  
Acoustic Tags ◽  
Feeding Area

Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) exhibit a variety of foraging behaviours, but neither they nor any baleen whale are known to produce broadband clicks in association with feeding, as do many odontocetes. We recorded underwater behaviour of humpback whales in a northwest Atlantic feeding area using suction-cup attached, multi-sensor, acoustic tags (DTAGs). Here we describe the first recordings of click production associated with underwater lunges from baleen whales. Recordings of over 34 000 ‘megapclicks’ from two whales indicated relatively low received levels at the tag (between 143 and 154 dB re 1 μPa pp), most energy below 2 kHz, and interclick intervals often decreasing towards the end of click trains to form a buzz. All clicks were recorded during night-time hours. Sharp body rolls also occurred at the end of click bouts containing buzzes, suggesting feeding events. This acoustic behaviour seems to form part of a night-time feeding tactic for humpbacks and also expands the known acoustic repertoire of baleen whales in general.

Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics? A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)

2012 ◽  
Vol 64 (11) ◽  
pp. 2374-2379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Cristina Fossi ◽  
Cristina Panti ◽  
Cristiana Guerranti ◽  
Daniele Coppola ◽  
Matteo Giannetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Fin Whale ◽  
The Mediterranean

Predicting Inshore Whale Abundance — Whales and Capelin off the Newfoundland Coast

1985 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 976-981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hal Whitehead ◽  
J. E. Carscadden
Keyword(s):  
Fishing Gear ◽  
Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Class Strength ◽  
Capelin Mallotus Villosus ◽  
Abiotic Variables ◽  
Northeast Coast

Inshore abundance of baleen whales along the Newfoundland coasts changed considerably during the period 1973–83. In particular, large numbers of humpbacks were present along the northeast coast each summer between 1977 and 1980. This influx led to entrapment of whales in fishing gear. Counts of humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), finback (Balaenoptera physalus), and minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) whales during standard surveys along the coast are used as indices of inshore abundance, and are related to the year-class strengths of capelin (Mallotus villosus), their major food in the Newfoundland region. Whales are found inshore when there are few immature capelin offshore. Minke whale distributions seem more closely related to the abundance of 1- to 2-yr-old, immature capelin, but humpback and finback whales are found inshore with low abundances of 2- to 3-yr-old, mainly immature capelin. We suggest that estimates of capelin year-class strength predicted from abiotic variables can be used to predict inshore whale abundance, at least 1 yr in advance. The extreme influx of humpbacks of the late 1970s is unlikely to recur in the short term. The analysis suggests that finback populations in the area are declining.

scholarly journals Respiration cycle duration and seawater flux through open blowholes of humpback ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) and North Atlantic right ( Eubalaena glacialis ) whales

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 1160-1179
Author(s):  
Maria Clara Iruzun Martins ◽  
Carolyn Miller ◽  
Phillip Hamilton ◽  
Jooke Robbins ◽  
Daniel P. Zitterbart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Eubalaena Glacialis ◽  
Cycle Duration
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