Cultural traditions across a migratory network shape the genetic structure of southern right whales around Australia and New Zealand

Abstract Fidelity to migratory destinations is an important driver of connectivity in marine and avian species. Here we assess the role of maternally directed learning of migratory habitats, or migratory culture, on the population structure of the endangered Australian and New Zealand southern right whale. Using DNA profiles, comprising mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes (500 bp), microsatellite genotypes (17 loci) and sex from 128 individually-identified whales, we find significant differentiation among winter calving grounds based on both mtDNA haplotype (FST = 0.048, ΦST = 0.109, p < 0.01) and microsatellite allele frequencies (FST = 0.008, p < 0.01), consistent with long-term fidelity to calving areas. However, most genetic comparisons of calving grounds and migratory corridors were not significant, supporting the idea that whales from different calving grounds mix in migratory corridors. Furthermore, we find a significant relationship between δ13C stable isotope profiles of 66 Australian southern right whales, a proxy for feeding ground location and both mtDNA haplotypes and kinship inferred from microsatellite-based estimators of relatedness. This indicates migratory culture may influence genetic structure on feeding grounds. This fidelity to migratory destinations is likely to influence population recovery, as long-term estimates of historical abundance derived from estimates of genetic diversity indicate the South Pacific calving grounds remain at <10% of pre-whaling abundance.

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Erratum: Corrigendum: Cultural traditions across a migratory network shape the genetic structure of southern right whales around Australia and New Zealand

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/srep21875 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

E. L. Carroll ◽

C. S. Baker ◽

M. Watson ◽

R. Alderman ◽

J. Bannister ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Genetic Structure ◽

Cultural Traditions ◽

Right Whales ◽

Southern Right Whales

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Temporal variation in the vocal behaviour of southern right whales in the Auckland Islands, New Zealand

Royal Society Open Science ◽

10.1098/rsos.181487 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 181487 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

T. A. Webster ◽

S. M. Van Parijs ◽

W. J. Rayment ◽

S. M. Dawson

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

North Atlantic ◽

Right Whale ◽

Vocal Behaviour ◽

Analysis Process ◽

Right Whales ◽

North Atlantic Right Whales ◽

Southern Right Whales ◽

Contact Calls ◽

Made In

Autonomous recorders are frequently used for examining vocal behaviour of animals, and are particularly effective in remote habitats. Southern right whales are known to have an extensive acoustic repertoire. A recorder was moored at the isolated sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands for a year to examine whether the acoustic behaviour of southern right whales differed seasonally and throughout the day at their main calving ground in New Zealand. Recordings were made in each month except June, and vocalizations were audible in all months with recordings except January. A total of 35 487 calls were detected, of which upcalls were the most common (11 623). Call rate peaked in August (288 ± 5.9 [s.e.] calls/hour) and July (194 ± 8.3). Vocal behaviour varied diurnally with highest call rates detected at dusk and night, consistent with the concept that upcalls function primarily as contact calls. Zero-inflated model results confirmed that seasonal variation was the most important factor for explaining differences in vocal behaviour. An automated detector designed to expedite the analysis process for North Atlantic right whales correctly identified 80% of upcalls, although false detections were frequent, particularly when call rates were low. This study is the first to attempt year-round monitoring of southern right whale presence in New Zealand.

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Half a century of sightings data of southern right whales in Mar del Plata (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315419001036 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 100 (1) ◽

pp. 165-171

Author(s):

Maria A. Mandiola ◽

Gisela Giardino ◽

Julián Bastida ◽

Sergio Morón ◽

Diego H. Rodríguez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Buenos Aires ◽

Buenos Aires Province ◽

Western Atlantic ◽

Right Whale ◽

Eubalaena Australis ◽

Coastal Marine ◽

Past Half Century ◽

Southern Right Whales ◽

Inshore Waters

AbstractIn South-western Atlantic waters, individuals of the southern right whale (SRW) Eubalaena australis spend part of the year (the austral winter and spring) in northern inshore waters where they breed and then migrate to southern feeding grounds during the summer. Mar del Plata (MDP) is located between two main reproductive areas (Península Valdés-Argentina and Santa Catarina-Brazil). The purpose of the present study is to report the presence of SRWs on their journey off the coast of MDP based on sighting records during the past half century. We carried out whale observations through systematic weekly coastal marine mammal surveys in different points of the MDP area from 1966 to 2016. The first SRW sighting was recorded in 1970; since then, sighting frequency has gradually increased, reaching a peak of 28 sightings (N = 63 whales) in 2016. These are unique long-term sighting records of SRWs in Argentina and the first on their journey off the shores of Buenos Aires province. We expect that these results will help local authorities to regulate tourism and other activities in the area and thereby contribute to the conservation of the species.

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Reestablishment of former wintering grounds by New Zealand southern right whales

Marine Mammal Science ◽

10.1111/mms.12031 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 206-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Emma L. Carroll ◽

William J. Rayment ◽

Alana M. Alexander ◽

C. Scott Baker ◽

Nathalie J. Patenaude ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Wintering Grounds ◽

Right Whales ◽

Southern Right Whales

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Stranding events of southern right whales, Eubalaena australis, in southern Brazil

J. Cetacean Res. Manage. ◽

10.47536/jcrm.vi.295 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 157-160

Author(s):

Antonio B. Greig ◽

Eduardo R. Secchi ◽

Alexandre N. Zerbini ◽

Luciano Dalla Rosa

Keyword(s):

Storm Surges ◽

Anthropogenic Factors ◽

Brazilian Coast ◽

Illegal Hunting ◽

Right Whale ◽

Eubalaena Australis ◽

Marine Traffic ◽

Right Whales ◽

Southern Right Whales ◽

The Right

Although international protection has been granted since 1935, southern right whales have only recently shown signs of recovery, possiblydue to anthropogenic factors. Off Brazil, illegal hunting of right whales occurred until 1973. This paper reports on surveys conducted alongthe southern Brazilian coast and the information recovered on right whale strandings for this area from 1977-1995. In the first 10 years ofthis period only four cases were registered. However, in contrast, 20 cases were counted during the last nine years. These results arediscussed in relation to marine traffic and the fisheries in the area that produce risks of collision and entanglement. Further, the possibilityof storm surges being a preponderant factor in the mortalities in this area is presented. These yearly rates are compared with neighbouringareas that are also inhabited by the right whales. Both possibilities fit the hypothesis that the right whales using the Brazilian coast forbreeding may finally be showing signs of recovery.

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