Local and migratory movements of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) satellite-tracked in the North Atlantic Ocean

2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.S. Kennedy ◽  
A.N. Zerbini ◽  
O.V. Vásquez ◽  
N. Gandilhon ◽  
P.J. Clapham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dominican Republic ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
North Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
The North ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Multiple Feeding ◽  
Feeding Grounds

North Atlantic humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski, 1781)) migrate from high-latitude summer feeding grounds to low-latitude winter breeding grounds along the Antillean Island chain. In the winters and springs of 2008 through 2012, satellite tags were deployed on humpback whales on Silver Bank (Dominican Republic) and in Guadeloupe (French West Indies) breeding areas. Whales were monitored, on average, for 26 days (range = 4–90 days). Some animals remained near their tagging location for multiple days before beginning their northerly migration, yet some visited habitats along the northwestern coast of the Dominican Republic, northern Haiti, the Turks and Caicos islands, and off Anguilla. Individuals monitored during migration headed towards feeding grounds in the Gulf of Maine (USA), Canada, and the eastern North Atlantic (Iceland or Norway). One individual traveled near Bermuda during the migration. This study provides the first detailed description of routes used by North Atlantic humpback whales towards multiple feeding destinations. Additionally, it corroborates previous research showing that individuals from multiple feeding grounds migrate to the Antilles for the breeding season. This study indicates that North Atlantic humpbacks use an area broader than the existing boundaries of marine mammal sanctuaries, which should provide justification for their expansion.

Regional and sexual differences in fluke pigmentation of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) from the North Atlantic Ocean

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 274-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith M. Allen ◽  
Howard C. Rosenbaum ◽  
Steven K. Katona ◽  
Philip J. Clapham ◽  
David K. Mattila
Keyword(s):  
Dominican Republic ◽  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
North Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Winter Range ◽  
The North ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Summer Range

The relative amount of pigmentation on the flukes of 3812 humpback whales from five feeding and three breeding regions in the western North Atlantic Ocean was ranked subjectively into categories 1 (white) through 5 (black). The distribution of rankings was examined to determine whether differences existed between regions or sexes. Fluke pigmentation differed significantly among whales photographed in the five northern feeding regions (Iceland, southwestern Greenland, Newfoundland (including the Labrador coast), the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the Gulf of Maine). Whales photographed in the Gulf of Maine were characterized by a significantly higher proportion of dark-colored flukes than whales in all feeding regions except Iceland. Whales photographed near Greenland were characterized by significantly more light-colored flukes than other feeding regions. Fluke pigmentation also varied significantly among whales photographed in the three southern breeding regions (Virgin Bank, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic). The flukes of whales photographed near Virgin Bank differed from those of whales near the Dominican Republic and included a higher proportion of light flukes. Fluke pigmentation of males and females differed significantly in the Gulf of Maine and in the Dominican Republic. Both areas showed higher proportions of dark-fluked females and light-fluked males. Sex bias differences in other regions were not examined because sample sizes were small. Fluke pigmentation of whales photographed only on the summer range did not differ significantly from the pigmentation of those photographed only on the winter range, supporting the belief that all northern feeding aggregations mix on the southern breeding grounds. Regional differences in fluke pigmentation suggest that the western North Atlantic humpback whale population includes a number of relatively isolated subunits, as suggested previously by photoidentification and DNA studies.

Occurrence, population composition, and habitat use of humpback whales in Samana Bay, Dominican Republic

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (11) ◽  
pp. 1898-1907 ◽  
Author(s):  
David K. Mattila ◽  
Phillip J. Clapham ◽  
Oswaldo Vásquez ◽  
Robert S. Bowman
Keyword(s):  
Dominican Republic ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
West Indies ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
The West ◽  
The North ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Almost All

A study of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) was conducted between 1988 and 1991 in Samana Bay, Dominican Republic. Humpbacks were observed as early as the earliest survey (3 January) and as late as the latest (16 March). Local abundance varied from 0 whales per hour to a maximum of 3.2 whales per hour (mean = 1.70, SD = 0.79), and densities calculated from track surveys ranged from 0.09 to 0.82 whales per square nautical mile (mean = 0.31). Abundance generally peaked in February, but variation was observed both within a season and between years. Almost all whales were observed in the eastern part of the bay, towards or at its mouth. In all, 397 individuals were photographically identified during the study period. Of these, 18 were observed in more than 1 year (17 in 2 years, 1 in 3 years). A total of 15.8% of identified individuals were observed on more than 1 day in a year (maximum 5 days), with mothers representing 33.3% of all resightings. Observed occupancies of resighted animals ranged from 1 to 33 days (mean = 6.3 days, SD = 7.14). The mean group size was 1.95 (range = 1–15, SD = 1.30, n = 652 groups). Ninety-nine groups contained a calf, and all groups larger than three (n = 45) were competitive in nature. Comparisons of fluke photographs with the North Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalogue revealed 141 matches of 118 individuals to other areas. Of these, 76 were to high-latitude feeding grounds (including the Gulf of Maine, Newfoundland, Labrador, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and west Greenland), while the remaining 65 were to other areas of the West Indies (Silver Bank, Navidad Bank, Puerto Rico, Virgin Bank, or Anguilla Bank) or to Bermuda. We suggest that Samana Bay is one of the most important winter habitats in the West Indies for humpback whales from all over the western North Atlantic, although whaling records suggest that the abundance of whales in this area may be a relatively recent phenomenon. Sightings of other marine mammal species in Samana Bay are summarized.

Population composition of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, on Silver Bank, 1984

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
David K. Mattila ◽  
Phillip J. Clapham ◽  
Steven K. Katona ◽  
Gregory S. Stone
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
High Latitude ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Breeding Ecology ◽  
Population Composition ◽  
Winter Range ◽  
The North ◽  
Surface Active

Between 14 February and 19 March 1984, 19 d were spent observing humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, on Silver Bank. In total, 317 whales were individually identified from photographs of ventral fluke patterns. Comparison of these photographs with the North Atlantic humpback whale catalogue revealed that 97 of the whales had previously been observed in other areas. Matches were made with all of the major known high-latitude feeding grounds: Greenland (6), Newfoundland – Labrador (43), the Gulf of St. Lawrence (7), and the Gulf of Maine (12). Matches were also made with habitats in the winter range of this population: Bermuda (1), Silver Bank in other years (26), Puerto Rico (18), Virgin Bank (1), and Anguilla Bank (1). Analysis of matches suggests that whales from the various high-latitude feeding stocks mix randomly on Silver Bank. Seven surface-active groups contained whales from different high-latitude feeding stocks, providing the strongest evidence to date for genetic mixing among these stocks. The behavior and composition of surface-active groups are discussed. Overall, the number of whales, calves, and surface-active groups observed during this study confirms the apparently singular importance of Silver Bank to the breeding ecology of western North Atlantic humpback whales.

A longitudinal study of humpback whales in Irish waters

2015 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 877-883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conor Ryan ◽  
Pádraig Whooley ◽  
Simon D. Berrow ◽  
Colin Barnes ◽  
Nick Massett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
The Public ◽  
Photo Identification ◽  
The North ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Eastern North Atlantic

Knowledge on the ecology of humpback whales in the eastern North Atlantic is lacking by comparison with most other ocean basins. Humpback whales were historically over-exploited in the region and are still found in low relative abundances. This, coupled with their large range makes them difficult to study. With the aim of informing more effective conservation measures in Ireland, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group began recording sightings and images suitable for photo-identification of humpback whales from Irish waters in 1999. Validated records submitted by members of the public and data from dedicated surveys were analysed to form a longitudinal study of individually recognizable humpback whales. The distribution, relative abundance and seasonality of humpback whale sighting records are presented, revealing discrete important areas for humpback whales in Irish coastal waters. An annual easterly movement of humpback whales along the southern coast of Ireland is documented, mirroring that of their preferred prey: herring and sprat. Photo-identification images were compared with others collected throughout the North Atlantic (N = 8016), resulting in matches of two individuals between Ireland and Iceland, Norway and the Netherlands but no matches to known breeding grounds (Cape Verde and West Indies). This study demonstrates that combining public records with dedicated survey data is an effective approach to studying low-density, threatened migratory species over temporal and spatial scales that are relevant to conservation and management.

Photo-identification matches of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae ) from feeding areas in Russian Far East seas and breeding grounds in the North Pacific

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga V. Titova ◽  
Olga A. Filatova ◽  
Ivan D. Fedutin ◽  
Ekaterina N. Ovsyanikova ◽  
Haruna Okabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Pacific ◽  
Russian Far East ◽  
Far East ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Photo Identification ◽  
The North ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
The North Pacific

scholarly journals The Influence of Maternal Lineages on Social Affiliations among Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on Their Feeding Grounds in the Southern Gulf of Maine

2006 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mason T. Weinrich ◽  
Howard Rosenbaum ◽  
C Scott Baker ◽  
Alexis L. Blackmer ◽  
Hal Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Social Affiliations ◽  
Feeding Grounds

scholarly journals An Analysis of the 8.85- and 4.42-Year Cycles in the Gulf of Maine

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1362
Author(s):  
Xiaolong Zong ◽  
Ruzhen Zhang ◽  
Shuwen Zhang ◽  
Fangjing Deng ◽  
Wei Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
North Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Tide Gauges ◽  
The North ◽  
Point Scheme ◽  
Harmonic Analysis Method ◽  
Long Term Trends

In the background of global warming and climate change, nuisance flooding is only caused by astronomical tides, which could be modulated by the nodal cycle. Therefore, much attention should be paid to the variation in the amplitude of the nodal cycle. In this paper, we utilize the enhanced harmonic analysis method and the independent point scheme to obtain the time-dependent amplitudes of the 8.85-year cycle of N2 tide and the 4.42-year cycle of 2N2 tide based on water level records of four tide gauges in the Gulf of Maine. Results indicate that the long-term trends of N2 and 2N2 tides vary spatially, which may be affected by the sea-level rise, coastal defenses, and other possible climate-related mechanisms. The comparison between Halifax and Eastport reveals that the topography greatly influences the amplitudes of those cycles. Moreover, a quasi 20-year oscillation is obvious in the 8.85-year cycle of N2 tide. This oscillation probably relates to a 20-year mode in the North Atlantic Ocean.

scholarly journals Global diversity and oceanic divergence of humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae )

2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1786) ◽  
pp. 20133222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Jackson ◽  
Debbie J. Steel ◽  
P. Beerli ◽  
Bradley C. Congdon ◽  
Carlos Olavarría ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Population History ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Restricted Gene Flow ◽  
Geological Time ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Pacific

Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) annually undertake the longest migrations between seasonal feeding and breeding grounds of any mammal. Despite this dispersal potential, discontinuous seasonal distributions and migratory patterns suggest that humpbacks form discrete regional populations within each ocean. To better understand the worldwide population history of humpbacks, and the interplay of this species with the oceanic environment through geological time, we assembled mitochondrial DNA control region sequences representing approximately 2700 individuals (465 bp, 219 haplotypes) and eight nuclear intronic sequences representing approximately 70 individuals (3700 bp, 140 alleles) from the North Pacific, North Atlantic and Southern Hemisphere. Bayesian divergence time reconstructions date the origin of humpback mtDNA lineages to the Pleistocene (880 ka, 95% posterior intervals 550–1320 ka) and estimate radiation of current Northern Hemisphere lineages between 50 and 200 ka, indicating colonization of the northern oceans prior to the Last Glacial Maximum. Coalescent analyses reveal restricted gene flow between ocean basins, with long-term migration rates (individual migrants per generation) of less than 3.3 for mtDNA and less than 2 for nuclear genomic DNA. Genetic evidence suggests that humpbacks in the North Pacific, North Atlantic and Southern Hemisphere are on independent evolutionary trajectories, supporting taxonomic revision of M. novaeangliae to three subspecies.

Differential rates of killer whale attacks on humpback whales in the North Atlantic as determined by scarification

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 1311-1315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica A. McCordic ◽  
Sean K. Todd ◽  
Peter T. Stevick
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Killer Whale ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Humpback Whale ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Atlantic

As in other populations of killer whales, Orcinus orca, prey selectivity in the North Atlantic population may indicate behaviourally or ecologically distinct types of killer whales. Some killer whale ecotypes are known to prey on large whales, but the ecological impact of such predation events is unknown. Since killer whale attacks on humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, are rarely witnessed, resultant scars may be used to determine the frequency of non-fatal predatory interactions. Using images from the North Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalogue (NAHWC), we examined humpback whale flukes for the presence of rake marks from killer whales (N = 5040). Scarring frequencies range from 2.7 to 17.4% and differ significantly among five regions of the North Atlantic (Gulf of Maine, Canada, West Greenland, Iceland and Norway). The scarring rate in the Canada region is significantly higher than all other regions, and Norway has a significantly lower scarring rate than all other regions, despite more frequently reported killer whale sightings in that region. Within the western North Atlantic, Canada has a scarring rate nearly twice that of either the Gulf of Maine or West Greenland. These data may reflect differential prey choice among killer whale ecotypes and/or the distribution of specific ecotypes across the North Atlantic basin.

scholarly journals Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Song on a Subarctic Feeding Ground

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saskia C. Martin ◽  
Ana S. Aniceto ◽  
Heidi Ahonen ◽  
Geir Pedersen ◽  
Ulf Lindstrøm
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Transmission ◽  
Humpback Whale ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Feeding Ground ◽  
The North ◽  
Singing Behavior ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Singing Activity

Male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are known to produce long complex sequences of structured vocalizations called song. Singing behavior has traditionally been associated with low latitude breeding grounds but is increasingly reported outside these areas. This study provides the first report of humpback whale songs in the subarctic waters of Northern Norway using a long-term bottom-moored hydrophone. Data processed included the months January–June 2018 and December 2018–January 2019. Out of 189 days with recordings, humpback whale singing was heard on 79 days. Singing was first detected beginning of January 2018 with a peak in February and was heard until mid-April. No singing activity was found during the summer months and was heard again in December 2018, continuing over January 2019. A total of 131 song sessions, including 35 full sessions, were identified throughout the study period. The longest and shortest complete sessions lasted 815 and 13 min, respectively. The results confirm that singing can be heard over several months in winter and spring on a high latitude feeding ground. This provides additional evidence to the growing literature that singing is not an explicit behavior confined to low latitude breeding grounds. The peak of song occurrence in February appears to coincide with the reproductive cycle of humpback whales. Finally, this study indicates that song occurrence on a subarctic feeding ground likely aids the cultural transmission for the North Atlantic humpback whale population.

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