Cetacean science does not have to be pseudo-science

2001 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 347-348
Author(s):  
Patrick J. O. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Social Learning ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Killer Whale ◽  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Calling Behavior ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Weak Evidence

Rendall and Whitehead overstate the weak evidence for social learning in cetaceans as a group, including the current evidence for vocal learning in killer whales. Ethnographic techniques exist to test genetic explanations of killer whale calling behavior, and additional captive experiments are feasible. Without such tests, descriptions of learning could be considered pseudo-scientific, ad hoc auxiliary assumptions of an untested theory.

scholarly journals Family feud: permanent group splitting in a highly philopatric mammal, the killer whale (Orcinus orca)

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva H. Stredulinsky ◽  
Chris T. Darimont ◽  
Lance Barrett-Lennard ◽  
Graeme M. Ellis ◽  
John K. B. Ford
Keyword(s):  
Killer Whale ◽  
Group Structure ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Orcinus Orca ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Internal Factors ◽  
Individual Fitness ◽  
Leadership Experience

Abstract For animals that tend to remain with their natal group rather than individually disperse, group sizes may become too large to benefit individual fitness. In such cases, group splitting (or fission) allows philopatric animals to form more optimal group sizes without sacrificing all familiar social relationships. Although permanent group splitting is observed in many mammals, it occurs relatively infrequently. Here, we use combined generalized modeling and machine learning approaches to provide a comprehensive examination of group splitting in a population of killer whales (Orcinus orca) that occurred over three decades. Fission occurred both along and across maternal lines, where animals dispersed in parallel with their closest maternal kin. Group splitting was more common: (1) in larger natal groups, (2) when the common maternal ancestor was no longer alive, and (3) among groups with greater substructuring. The death of a matriarch did not appear to immediately trigger splitting. Our data suggest intragroup competition for food, leadership experience and kinship are important factors that influence group splitting in this population. Our approach provides a foundation for future studies to examine the dynamics and consequences of matrilineal fission in killer whales and other taxa. Significance statement Group living among mammals often involves long-term social affiliation, strengthened by kinship and cooperative behaviours. As such, changes in group membership may have significant consequences for individuals’ fitness and a population’s genetic structure. Permanent group splitting is a complex and relatively rare phenomenon that has yet to be examined in detail in killer whales. In the context of a growing population, in which offspring of both sexes remain with their mothers for life, we provide the first in-depth examination of group splitting in killer whales, where splitting occurs both along and across maternal lines. We also undertake the first comprehensive assessment of how killer whale intragroup cohesion is influenced by both external and internal factors, including group structure, population and group demography, and resource abundance.

Development of intentional stranding hunting techniques in killer whale (Orcinus orca) calves at Crozet Archipelago

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Guinet ◽  
Jérome Bouvier
Keyword(s):  
Growth Curve ◽  
Parental Investment ◽  
Killer Whale ◽  
Elephant Seal ◽  
Orcinus Orca ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Juvenile Female ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Social Transfer ◽  
High Degree

This paper describes the trend in the practice of what we interpret to be the "intentional stranding" hunting technique of two juvenile female killer whales (Orcinus orca), A4 and A5, belonging to pod A on the beaches of Possession Island, Crozet Archipelago. Pod A was composed of three adult females, A2, A3, A6, and one adult male, A1. A2 is A4's mother and A3 is A5's mother. The year of birth and thus the probable age of the two juveniles were estimated from their growth curve determined by means of a photogrammetric technique. These observations indicate that at Crozet Archipelago, juvenile killer whales first practiced intentional stranding on their own when they were 4–5 years old. Their first attempt to capture elephant seal pups by means of this technique was observed when they were 5–6 years old. However, 5- to 6-year-old juveniles still needed the assistance of an adult female to return to the water with their prey. This study indicates that learning hunting techniques needs a high degree of skill and requires high parental investment to reduce the associated risk. Furthermore, social transfer, through apprenticeship, is probably one of the mechanisms that enables the high degree of adaptability observed in killer whales.

scholarly journals A long post-reproductive lifespan is a shared trait among genetically distinct killer whale populations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mia Nielsen ◽  
Samuel Ellis ◽  
Jared Towers ◽  
Thomas Doniol-Valcroze ◽  
Daniel Franks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Killer Whale ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
Substantial Variation ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Reproductive Conflict ◽  
Demographic Patterns ◽  
General Prediction

The extended female post-reproductive lifespan found in humans and some toothed whales remains an evolutionary puzzle. Theory predicts demographic patterns resulting in increased female relatedness with age (kinship dynamics) can select for a prolonged post-reproductive lifespan due to the combined costs of inter-generational reproductive conflict and benefits of late-life helping. Here we test this prediction using >40 years of longitudinal demographic data from the sympatric yet genetically distinct killer whale ecotypes: resident and Bigg’s killer whales. The female relatedness with age is predicted to increase in both ecotypes, but with a less steep increase in Bigg’s due to their different social structure. Here, we show that there is a significant post-reproductive lifespan in both ecotypes with >30% of adult female years being lived as post-reproductive, supporting the general prediction that an increase in local relatedness with age predisposes the evolution of a post-reproductive lifespan. Differences in the magnitude of kinship dynamics however, did not influence the timing or duration of the post-reproductive lifespan with females in both ecotypes terminating reproduction before their mid-40s followed by an expected post-reproductive period of ~20 years. Our results highlight the important role of kinship dynamics in the evolution of a long post-reproductive lifespan in long-lived mammals, while further implying that the timing of menopause may be a robust trait that is persistent despite substantial variation in demographic patterns among population.

scholarly journals Mitigating killer whale depredation on demersal longline fisheries by changing fishing practices

2014 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 1610-1620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Tixier ◽  
Jade Vacquie Garcia ◽  
Nicolas Gasco ◽  
Guy Duhamel ◽  
Christophe Guinet
Keyword(s):  
Killer Whale ◽  
Collaborative Work ◽  
Dilution Effect ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Fleet Size ◽  
Operational Variables ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Longline Fisheries ◽  
Technical Solutions ◽  
Fishing Practices

Abstract Odontocete depredation on longlines involves socioeconomic and conservation issues with significant losses for fisheries and potential impacts on wild populations of depredating species. As technical solutions to this conflict are limited and difficult to implement, this study aimed to identify fishing practices that could reduce odontocete depredation, with a focus on killer whales (Orcinus orca) interacting with Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) longliners off the Crozet islands. Data collected by fishery observers from 6013 longline sets between 2003 and 2013 allowed us to statistically detect the significant influence of five operational variables using GLMMs. The probability of interactions between vessels and killer whales was decreased by (i) the number of vessels operating simultaneously in the area: the limited number of depredating killer whales may induce a dilution effect with increased fleet size, and (ii) depth of longline sets: vessels operating in shallow waters may be more accessible to whales that are initially distributed on peri-insular shelves. The cpue was negatively influenced by (iii) length of longlines: longer sets may provide killer whales access to a greater proportion of hooked fish per set, and positively influenced by (iv) hauling speed: increased speed may shorten the time during which toothfish are accessible to whales during hauling. The time it takes for killer whales to reach vessels was positively correlated to (v) the distance travelled between longline sets with an estimated threshold of 100 km beyond which whales seem to temporarily lose track of vessels. These findings provide insightful guidelines about what fishing strategy to adopt given these variables to reduce killer whale depredation here and in similar situations elsewhere. To a greater extent, this study is illustrative of how collaborative work with fishermen in a fully controlled fishery framework may lead to the definition of cost-limited and easy-to-implement mitigation solutions when facing such human-wildlife conflict.

Patient satisfaction of telephone or video interpreter services compared with in-person services: a systematic review

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey Joseph ◽  
Marie Garruba ◽  
Angela Melder
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Consumer Satisfaction ◽  
English Language ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Interpreter Services ◽  
Interpreter Service ◽  
Google Search

Objective This review was conducted to identify and synthesise the evidence around the use of telephone and video interpreter services compared with in-person services in healthcare. Methods A systematic search of articles published in the English language was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Library, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), Joanna Briggs, Google Scholar and Google. Search terms included ‘interpreter’, ‘patient satisfaction’, ‘consumer satisfaction’ and ‘client satisfaction’. Any study that did not compare in-person interpreter services with either telephone or video interpreter services was excluded from analysis. Studies were screened for inclusion or exclusion by two reviewers, using criteria established a priori. Data were extracted via a custom form and synthesised. Results The database search yielded 196 studies, eight of which were included in the present review. The search using an Internet search engine did not identify any relevant studies. Of the studies included, five used telephone and three used video interpreter services. All studies, except one, compared levels of satisfaction regarding in-person interpretation and telephone or video interpretation. One study compared satisfaction of two versions of video interpretation. There is evidence of higher satisfaction with hospital-trained interpreters compared with ad hoc (friend or family) or telephone interpreters. There is no difference in satisfaction between in-person interpreting, telephone interpreting or interpretation provided by the treating bilingual physician. Video interpreting has the same satisfaction as in-person interpreting, regardless of whether the patient and the physician are in the same room. Higher levels of satisfaction were reported for trained telephone interpreters than for in-person interpreters or an external telephone interpreter service. Conclusions Current evidence does not suggest there is one particular mode of interpreting that is superior to all others. This review is limited in its translational capacity given that most studies were from the US and in a Spanish-speaking cohort. What is known about the topic? Access to interpreters has been shown to positively affect patients who are not proficient in speaking the local language of the health service. What does this paper add? This paper adds to the literature by providing a comprehensive summary of patient satisfaction when engaging several different types of language interpreting services used in healthcare. What are the implications for practitioners? This review provides clear information for health services on the use of language interpreter services and patient satisfaction. The current body of evidence does not indicate a superior interpreting method when patient satisfaction is concerned.

The sighting of pygmy killer whales (Feresa attenuata) in the southern Bay of Biscay and their association with cetacean calves

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 509-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.D. Williams ◽  
R. Williams ◽  
T. Brereton
Keyword(s):  
Killer Whale ◽  
South Atlantic ◽  
First Year ◽  
Bay Of Biscay ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
The South ◽  
Tropical Waters ◽  
New Born ◽  
Close Proximity

The pygmy killer whale Feresa attenuata is a poorly understood species that occurs in tropical and warm sub-tropical waters worldwide. The true range of these animals is not well established and there have been reports of them in temperate waters of the South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. At 1746 h on 24 April 1997 at 45°15′76″N 30°56′54″W the first of two groups of small robust cetaceans were observed by experienced cetacean observers during a survey carried out aboard the P&O Portsmouth cruise ferry ‘Pride of Bilbao’. At 1820 at position 45°25′96″N 40°00′94″W on the same day a second group of animals of this species was encountered. In both cases the cetaceans were in close proximity to cetaceans with new born or first year calves. Identification information was recorded by the observers and the animals were identified as pygmy killer whales. These records represent the first in the Bay of Biscay and the most northerly records for this species.

Prey switching by killer whales in the north-east Atlantic: observational evidence and experimental insights

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 1357-1365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dag Vongraven ◽  
Anna Bisther
Keyword(s):  
Killer Whale ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Tooth Wear ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Prey Switching ◽  
Photo Identification ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Spawning Stock

Studies in the Pacific have identified distinct killer whale ecotypes that are either specialized mammal- or fish-eaters. The different types have developed hunting strategies that would suggest specialization could be more advantageous than generalism. However, it has been suggested, based on long-term dietary markers of tooth wear and stable isotope values, that lineages in the North Atlantic are generalist, but with individual variation in the proportion of prey types consumed. Here, we present the results of ten years of observational and photo-identification data of a population of killer whales that follows the Norwegian spring-spawning stock of Atlantic herring. Although the whales were predominantly observed while feeding upon herring, one pod of herring-eating whales was also observed interacting with seals. This supports the hypothesis based on the long-term markers, of a degree of specialization, with a small number of groups persistently feeding upon mammals, but switching between herring and seals. We further investigated this prey switching by conducting playbacks of herring-eating killer whale sounds to harbour seals at haul-out sites on the herring spawning grounds. We recorded changes in behaviour consistent with an anti-predator response, suggesting the seals perceived the herring-eating killer whales as a potential predatory threat and had not habituated to their calls. This could be due to the risk of herring-eating killer whales switching to mammalian prey, or the difficulty of discriminating between killer whale pods due to the large population size and number of killer whale call dialects in this population, or a combination of both.

Mass stranding of pygmy killer whales (Feresa attenuata) in the British Virgin Islands

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio A. Mignucci-Giannoni ◽  
Gian M. Toyos-González ◽  
Janice Pérez-Padilla ◽  
Marta A. Rodríguez-López ◽  
Julie Overing
Keyword(s):  
New Record ◽  
Killer Whale ◽  
Caribbean Sea ◽  
First Record ◽  
Virgin Islands ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
British Virgin Islands ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Mass Stranding

The pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata) is an offshore, tropical and subtropical delphinid found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. The species has only recently been studied, mostly from specimens collected from strandings. While over 52 reports exist for the Atlantic Ocean, only one record exists for the Caribbean Sea. A new record of a mass stranding of pygmy killer whales from the British Virgin Islands is documented and the pathology and life history of the specimens is described, associating the stranding process with the meteorological and oceanographic disturbance of Hurricane Marilyn, which devastated the Virgin Islands a day prior to the stranding. This stranding event constitutes the sixth known mass stranding for the species worldwide, the first record for pygmy killer whales for the northeastern Caribbean and the second for the entire Caribbean Sea.

scholarly journals Middle/late Miocene hoplocetine sperm whale remains (Odontoceti: Physeteridae) of North Germany with an emended classification of the Hoplocetinae

Fossil Record ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Hampe
Keyword(s):  
Late Miocene ◽  
Killer Whale ◽  
Sperm Whale ◽  
Tooth Wear ◽  
Orcinus Orca ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Functional Tooth ◽  
North Germany ◽  
Middle Pliocene

Abstract. Hoplocetus ritzi n. sp. is a new hoplocetine physeterid from the Bolboforma fragori /subfragoris Zone of the middle/late Miocene mica-clay of Groß Pampau in Schleswig-Holstein, North Germany. The Hoplocetinae are known from the early Miocene to the Pliocene. Comparative studies of cranial characters and tooth morphology allow an emended diagnosis of the Hoplocetinae Cabrera, 1926. Four genera, Diaphorocetus, Idiorophus, Scaldicetus, and Hoplocetus are included in this subfamily. The pattern of functional tooth wear deduced from the described Hoplocetus ritzi n. sp. remains is reminescent of that known from Orcinus orca. The hoplocetine physeterids possibly occupied the killer whale niche before the killer whales appeared during the middle Pliocene. Mit Hoplocetusritzi n. sp. wird ein neuer hoplocetiner Physeteride beschrieben. Der Fund stammt aus der Bolboformafragori /subfragoris Zone des mittel-/obermiozänen Glimmertons von Groß Pampau in Schleswig-Holstein, Norddeutschland. Die Hoplocetinae sind vom unteren Miozän bis ins Pliozän nachgewiesen. Anhand vergleichender Untersuchungen an wenigen Schädelmerkmalen und der Zahnmorphologie gelingt eine Neudiagnose der Hoplocetinae Cabrera, 1926 und eine vorläufige Abgrenzung zwischen den als valid angesehenen Gattungen dieser Unterfamilie, Diaphorocetus, Idiorophus, Scaldicetus und Hoplocetus. Das Abkauungsmuster der Zähne von Hoplocetusritzi n. sp. erinnert an das des heutigen Orcinusorca. Möglicherweise sind die hoplocetinen Pottwale habituell den Schwertwalen, die erdgeschichtlich erstmals im mittleren Pliozän auftreten, vergleichbar. doi:10.1002/mmng.200600002

Preliminary findings of restriction fragment differences in mitochondrial DNA among killer whales (Orcinus orca)

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (10) ◽  
pp. 2592-2595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy A. Stevens ◽  
Deborah A. Duffield ◽  
Edward D. Asper ◽  
K. Gilbey Hewlett ◽  
Al Bolz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Killer Whale ◽  
Vancouver Island ◽  
Restriction Pattern ◽  
Orcinus Orca ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Pacific

A preliminary assessment of mitochondrial DNA restriction patterns in the killer whale (Orcinus orca) was conducted using 10 captive North Atlantic killer whales from the southeastern coast of Iceland, a captive-born offspring of one of these whales, and 9 North Pacific killer whales. No restriction pattern variation was seen among these whales, using the enzymes BamH I, Bgl II, Hinf I, Kpn I, or Pvu II. Restriction pattern variation was found using the enzyme Hae III. This restriction endonuclease distinguished the North Atlantic killer whales (type 1) from the North Pacific killer whales. The North Pacific killer whales were further differentiated into two groups: those originating from the "resident" communities of the Vancouver Island region (type 2), and those from the "transient" community of Vancouver Island, as well as those stranded along the Oregon coast (type 3). The observed Hae III restriction pattern differences suggest that mitochondrial DNA analysis will be a valuable technique for investigating regional and local distributions of maternal lineages among killer whale pods, especially in the North Pacific.

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