Abundance and population status of Ross Sea killer whales (Orcinus orca, type C) in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica: evidence for impact by commercial fishing?

Polar Biology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 781-792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Pitman ◽  
Holly Fearnbach ◽  
John W. Durban
Keyword(s):  
Ross Sea ◽  
Orcinus Orca ◽  
Commercial Fishing ◽  
Population Status ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Mcmurdo Sound ◽  
Type C

scholarly journals Cold call: the acoustic repertoire of Ross Sea killer whales ( Orcinus orca, Type C) in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 191228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Wellard ◽  
Robert L. Pitman ◽  
John Durban ◽  
Christine Erbe
Keyword(s):  
Ross Sea ◽  
Killer Whale ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Orcinus Orca ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Mcmurdo Sound ◽  
Marine Predators ◽  
Antarctic Waters ◽  
Type C ◽  
Passive Acoustic

Killer whales ( Orcinus orca ) are top marine predators occurring globally. In Antarctic waters, five ecotypes have been described, with Type C being the smallest form of killer whale known. Acoustic recordings of nine encounters of Type C killer whales were collected in 2012 and 2013 in McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea. In a combined 3.5 h of recordings, 6386 killer whale vocalizations were detected and graded based on their signal-to-noise ratio. Spectrograms of the highest-quality calls were examined for characteristic patterns yielding a catalogue of 28 call types (comprising 1250 calls). Acoustic parameters of each call were measured and summarized by call type. Type C killer whales produced complex calls, consisting of multiple frequency-modulated, amplitude-modulated and pulsed components. Often, two components occurred simultaneously, forming a biphonation; although the biphonic components did not necessarily start and end together, with one component lasting over several others. The addition and deletion of components yielded call subtypes. Call complexity appears stable over time and may be related to feeding ecology. Characterization of the Type C acoustic repertoire is an important step for the development of passive acoustic monitoring of the diverse assemblage of killer whale ecotypes in Antarctica's rapidly changing marine ecosystems.

Antarctic type C killer whale (Orcinus orca) call repertoire from McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea

2018 ◽  
Vol 144 (3) ◽  
pp. 1978-1978
Author(s):  
Rebecca Wellard ◽  
Robert Pitman ◽  
John Durban ◽  
Christine Erbe
Keyword(s):  
Ross Sea ◽  
Killer Whale ◽  
Orcinus Orca ◽  
Mcmurdo Sound ◽  
Type C ◽  
Call Repertoire

Occurrence of killer whales (Orcinus orca) and other cetaceans in Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea, Antarctica

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giancarlo Lauriano ◽  
Caterina Maria Fortuna ◽  
Marino Vacchi
Keyword(s):  
Ross Sea ◽  
Killer Whale ◽  
Orcinus Orca ◽  
Encounter Rate ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Terra Nova Bay ◽  
Minke Whales ◽  
Type C ◽  
Differential Pattern ◽  
Terra Nova

AbstractDuring January and February 2004, data on presence and distribution of killer whales (Orcinus orca) and other cetaceans were collected by helicopter surveys along the coastline of Terra Nova Bay and adjacent localities (western Ross Sea, Antarctica). A total of 37 sightings of killer whale, of both B and C types, were recorded as well as 17 sightings of Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis), nine ofBalaenopteraspp., two of Arnoux’s beaked whale (Berardius arnuxii) and four of undetermined species. The type C killer whale was the most abundant, with 23 sightings, whereas we recorded type B only twice. Group size ranged between 1 and 30 animals, with an average of eight individuals. Seventeen killer whales were photo-identified and 13 resightings occurred during the study period. Killer whales showed a differential pattern in partitioning the study area. Their encounter rate was significantly higher (t-test = 2.6045,P< 0.05) in the northern area extending from Edmonson Point to the Campbell Glacier Tongue (encounter rate, ER = 0.031), compared to the southern area from Mario Zucchelli Station to the Drygalski Ice Tongue (ER = 0.003).

scholarly journals Movements, diving behaviour and diet of type‐C killer whales ( Orcinus orca ) in the Ross Sea, Antarctica

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 2428-2440
Author(s):  
Giancarlo Lauriano ◽  
Enrico Pirotta ◽  
Trevor Joyce ◽  
Robert L. Pitman ◽  
Asunción Borrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ross Sea ◽  
Diving Behaviour ◽  
Orcinus Orca ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Type C

Satellite tracking reveals distinct movement patterns for Type B and Type C killer whales in the southern Ross Sea, Antarctica

Polar Biology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 31 (12) ◽  
pp. 1461-1468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russel D. Andrews ◽  
Robert L. Pitman ◽  
Lisa T. Ballance
Keyword(s):  
Ross Sea ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Satellite Tracking ◽  
Type B ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Type C

Personality in captive killer whales (Orcinus orca): A rating approach based on the five-factor model.

2019 ◽  
Vol 133 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yulán Úbeda ◽  
Sara Ortín ◽  
Judy St. Leger ◽  
Miquel Llorente ◽  
Javier Almunia
Keyword(s):  
Factor Model ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Orcinus Orca ◽  
Killer Whales

Influence of Late Holocene climate on Lake Eggers hydrology, McMurdo Sound

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
E.J. Chamberlain ◽  
A.J. Christ ◽  
R.W. Fulweiler
Keyword(s):  
Late Holocene ◽  
Ross Sea ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Ice Cores ◽  
Lake Ice ◽  
Mcmurdo Sound ◽  
Ice Accumulation ◽  
History Of ◽  
Ground Penetrating ◽  
Western Ross Sea

Abstract Ice-covered lakes in Antarctica preserve records of regional hydroclimate and harbour extreme ecosystems that may serve as terrestrial analogues for exobiotic environments. Here, we examine the impacts of hydroclimate and landscape on the formation history of Lake Eggers, a small ice-sealed lake, located in the coastal polar desert of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica (78°S). Using ground penetrating radar surveys and three lake ice cores we characterize the ice morphology and chemistry. Lake ice geochemistry indicates that Lake Eggers is fed primarily from local snowmelt that accreted onto the lake surface during runoff events. Radiocarbon ages of ice-encased algae suggest basal ice formed at least 735 ± 20 calibrated years before present (1215 C.E.). Persisting through the Late Holocene, Lake Eggers alternated between periods of ice accumulation and sublimation driven by regional climate variability in the western Ross Sea. For example, particulate organic matter displayed varying δ15N ratios with depth, corresponding to sea ice fluctuations in the western Ross Sea during the Late Holocene. These results suggest a strong climatic control on the hydrologic regime shifts shaping ice formation at Lake Eggers.

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