scholarly journals Satellite-monitored movements of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean

2006 ◽  
Vol 313 ◽  
pp. 295-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
AN Zerbini ◽  
A Andriolo ◽  
MP Heide-Jørgensen ◽  
JL Pizzorno ◽  
YG Maia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Southwest Atlantic

scholarly journals Diving behavior of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) throughout their migratory cycle in the Western South Atlantic Ocean

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Érika Soares Coelho da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Dive Depth ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Ecological Modelling ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Diving Behavior ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Migratory Cycle ◽  
Reported Data

Is poorly known how the diving behavior during the migratory cycle of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae is affected by environmental characteristics of their seasonal habitats and their social roles. In this study, archival Argos satellite tags were deployed off the coast of Brazil in 32 humpback whales from the South Western Atlantic Ocean. Tags reported data for ~44 days (max = 124 days) and 92,058 dives. Statistical analysis showed that average dive depth varied between habitats, being shallower in the breeding area (BA, 22.6 m), intermediate during the migration (MI, 30.26 m), and deeper in the feeding area (FA, 35.16 m). The dives classified as deep (>80 m), were more predominant during migration. At FA, dives during the night were shallower and shorter than those performed during the day, at BA dives made during the day were deeper than all other diel phases. We have not found clear differences in dive depth and duration between social classes. The moon phases had a clear effect within BA but not within MI and FA, being shallower at full moon. We also saw that the shapes (U, V, Square), showed differences in dive depth and among habitats. Our data provide the first novel insights into the dive behaviors of individuals from the same population throughout their migratory cycle, performing different diving behaviors, different patterns of social class, shapes, depth range, diel and moon phase. Moreover, these findings and the understanding diving patterns in its drivers have important implications for ecological modelling, conservation policies.

scholarly journals Occurrence and distribution of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on the north coast of the State of Bahia, Brazil, 2000–2006

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 667-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos R. Rossi-Santos ◽  
Elitieri S. Neto ◽  
Clarêncio G. Baracho ◽  
Sérgio R. Cipolotti ◽  
Enrico Marcovaldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The State ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Southwest Atlantic ◽  
The North ◽  
Commercial Whaling ◽  
Geographical Position

Abstract Rossi-Santos, M. R., Neto, E. S., Baracho, C. G., Cipolotti, S. R., Marcovaldi, E., and Engel, M. H. 2008. Occurrence and distribution of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on the north coast of the State of Bahia, Brazil, 2000–2006. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 667–673. The Abrolhos Bank off Brazil is considered the main breeding ground for the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Southwest Atlantic. However, owing to an increase in the occurrence of the species along the north coast of the State of Bahia, it has been suggested that the species is reoccupying that region, which was probably utilized by the whales before commercial whaling. Information is presented on the occurrence and distribution of humpback whales along the north coast of the State of Bahia, with a comparative overview, for the period 2000–2006. Daily research cruises were conducted from July to October, departing from Praia do Forte (13°40′S 38°10′W) and lasting ∼9 h. Data on sampling and sighting effort, and geographical position and composition of groups of humpback whales, were collected on standardized field sheets. In all, 230 surveys were performed, covering some 9740 nautical miles in 1645 h of sampling effort, during which 1626 humpback whales were sighted, including 118 calves. Humpback whales were sighted throughout the study area. Solitary individuals and pairs were the most frequent group composition, 26% and 37% of the observed groups (n = 723), respectively. Depth of water varied from 15 to 1657 m (mean = 62.4; s.d. = 99). The sightings values were grouped into depth classes to ascertain the highest frequencies (∼30%) for the two classes, i.e. between 35.1 and 55 m of water. There was an increase in the encounter rates of humpback whales on the north coast of the State of Bahia between 2000 and 2006, identifying a difference in SPUE [sightings per unit (h) of effort] among years (Kruskal–Wallis H = 30.155, d.f. = 6, p < 0.05). The results support the hypothesis that humpback whales are reoccupying former breeding areas along the Brazilian coast.

Benthic communities in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean: Conservation value of animal forests at the Burdwood Bank slope

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 426-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Schejter ◽  
Gabriel Genzano ◽  
Esteban Gaitán ◽  
Carlos D. Perez ◽  
Claudia S. Bremec
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Benthic Communities ◽  
Conservation Value ◽  
Southwest Atlantic ◽  
Bank Slope ◽  
Burdwood Bank ◽  
Ocean Conservation
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