Morphological differences in skulls and feeding apparatuses between Antarctic and common minke whales, and the implication for their feeding ecology

The differences in rorqual feeding ecology have been linked to the presence of different morphological markers. The Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis Burmeister, 1867) and common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata Lacépède, 1804) are closely related species, but their morphological differences have not been fully investigated. In this study, we compared 21 skull and 11 feeding apparatuses (baleen and mouth-related parts) measurement points between these two species using hundreds of individuals covering a wide range of body lengths in both sexes. Their engulfment capacities were estimated using these measurements. Our results show that Antarctic minke whales have (1) proportionally larger skulls to the body length, (2) more dorsoventrally and laterally curved rostra, (3) proportionally larger feeding apparatuses to the condylobasal length, and (4) significantly larger engulfment capacity than common minke whales. These differences could indicate that Antarctic minke whales have developed a feeding strategy suitable for feeding on krill, which forms large schools. In contrast, common minke whales have adapted to prey on small pelagic fishes that are agile and form small schools.

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A note on minke whales (Cetacea: Balaenopteridae) in Uruguay: strandings review

J. Cetacean Res. Manage. ◽

10.47536/jcrm.v21i1.203 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 135-140

Author(s):

Eduardo Juri ◽

Meica Valdivia ◽

Paulo Cesar Simoes-Lopes ◽

Alfredo Le Bas

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Ocean ◽

Minke Whale ◽

Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽

Southwest Atlantic ◽

Antarctic Minke Whale ◽

Minke Whales ◽

Important Region ◽

The Common ◽

The Antarctic ◽

Common Minke Whale

The minke whale is the smallest of the living rorquals and is widely distributed in the tropical, temperate and polar waters of both hemispheres. In the western Southwest Atlantic Ocean there are two currently recognised species, the dwarf form of the common minke whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata unnamed subsp. and the Antarctic minke whale B. bonaerensis. All stranding records and collected specimens of minke whale on the coast of Uruguay were reviewed and analysed. Between 1962 and 2018, 33 records were gathered in a non-systematic way, 22 specimens of B. acutorostrata and 11 of B. bonaerensis. It was found that most animals were discovered alive or recently dead and assigned as neonates/young calves. This supports the hypothesis that Uruguayan coasts are part of an important region for reproduction and breeding for the species.

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Decline in body condition in the Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) in the Southern Ocean during the 1990s

Polar Biology ◽

10.1007/s00300-020-02783-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 259-273

Author(s):

Céline Cunen ◽

Lars Walløe ◽

Kenji Konishi ◽

Nils Lid Hjort

Keyword(s):

Model Selection ◽

Body Condition ◽

Model Building ◽

Research Question ◽

Information Criterion ◽

The Body ◽

Antarctic Minke Whale ◽

Minke Whales ◽

Balaenoptera Bonaerensis ◽

The Antarctic

AbstractChanges in the body condition of Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) have been investigated in a number of studies, but remain contested. Here we provide a new analysis of body condition measurements, with particularly careful attention to the statistical model building and to model selection issues. We analyse body condition data for a large number (4704) of minke whales caught between 1987 and 2005. The data consist of five different variables related to body condition (fat weight, blubber thickness and girth) and a number of temporal, spatial and biological covariates. The body condition variables are analysed using linear mixed-effects models, for which we provide sound biological motivation. Further, we conduct model selection with the focused information criterion (FIC), reflecting the fact that we have a clearly specified research question, which leads us to a clear focus parameter of particular interest. We find that there has been a substantial decline in body condition over the study period (the net declines are estimated to 10% for fat weight, 7% for blubber thickness and 3% for the girth). Interestingly, there seems to be some differences in body condition trends between males and females and in different regions of the Antarctic. The decline in body condition could indicate major changes in the Antarctic ecosystem, in particular, increased competition from some larger krill-eating whale species.

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Whales as Indicators of Historical and Current Changes in the Marine Ecosystem of the Indo-Pacific Sector of the Antarctic

10.5772/intechopen.94323 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yoshihiro Fujise ◽

Luis A. Pastene

Keyword(s):

Marine Ecosystem ◽

Recruitment Rate ◽

Minke Whale ◽

Past Century ◽

Baleen Whale ◽

The Past ◽

Antarctic Minke Whale ◽

Minke Whales ◽

Nutritional Conditions ◽

The Antarctic

We review the scientific information on whales that could be indicative of historical and current changes in the ecosystem in the Indo-Pacific sector of the Antarctic. The increased krill availability in the middle of the past century as a result of the heavy harvesting of the larger baleen whale species could have been translated into better nutritional conditions for the Antarctic minke whale, resulting in a decreasing trend in the age at sexual maturity and an increasing trend in recruitment rate and hence total population size between approximately 1940 and 1970. This nutritional condition has deteriorated more recently, as revealed by a decrease in energy storage and stomach content weight since the 1980’s; these changes coincide with appreciable increases in the abundances of humpback and fin whales, which were heavily harvested in the first half of the past century. The historical demographic changes observed in the Antarctic minke whale are consistent with the pattern to be expected under the krill surplus hypothesis, with minke whales now again competing with other (recovering) baleen whale species for krill. However, these minke whales could also be using alternative feeding areas (e.g. polynias within the pack-ice) in response to the increase in abundance and geographical expansion of these other large whale species. This could provide an alternative explanation for indications from sighting surveys and population models of a decrease and then re-stabilisation of minke whale abundance in open water areas since the 1970s.

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Changes in blood testosterone and progesterone concentrations of the North Atlantic minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) during the feeding season

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f03-159 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 61 (2) ◽

pp. 230-237 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Matthías Kjeld ◽

Árni Alfredsson ◽

Örn Ólafsson ◽

Morten Tryland ◽

Ivar Christensen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Frequency Distribution ◽

North Atlantic ◽

Minke Whale ◽

Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽

Hunting Season ◽

P Values ◽

The North ◽

Minke Whales ◽

The North Atlantic ◽

Cyclic Changes

An opportunity to study seasonal changes of sex hormones in the North Atlantic minke whale (common minke whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata) arose when we obtained access to fresh postmortem blood samples from 104 females and 83 males. The whales were caught in the North Atlantic during MaySeptember 19921995. Serum progesterone (P) and testosterone (T) concentrations were measured and compared with anatomical data. The frequency distribution of female serum P values showed two clusters, one consisting mainly of immature animals and the second of pregnant ones, with mean serum values of about 0.49 ± 0.04 (SE) and 44.2 ± 2.84 nmol·L1, respectively. The frequency distribution of male serum T did not show any group-specific distribution during the hunting season. The mean serum T value for the males was 0.63 ± 0.13 nmol·L1. Contrary to earlier reports on the Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis), serum T values rose during the hunting season in mature males (p < 0.0001). Serum P values in immature females increased during the season (p = 0.015). This increase agrees with the predominantly annual reproduction cycle of minke whales. Blood sex hormone measurements seem to be useful for detecting cyclic changes and pregnancy of minke whales.

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Minke whale abundance estimation from the NASS 1987 and 2001 aerial cue–counting surveys taking appropriate account of distance estimation errors

NAMMCO Scientific Publications ◽

10.7557/3.2708 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 95 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

David L Borchers ◽

Daniel G Pike ◽

Thorvaldur Gunnlaugsson ◽

Gísli A Víkingsson

Keyword(s):

Measurement Error ◽

North Atlantic ◽

Measurement Errors ◽

Distance Estimation ◽

Minke Whale ◽

Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽

Estimation Errors ◽

Random Measurement Error ◽

Minke Whales ◽

Coastal Shelf

We estimate the abundance of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) from the Icelandic coastal shelf aerial surveys carried out as part of the 1987 and 2001 North Atlantic Sightings Surveys (NASS). In the case of the 1987 survey, the probability of detecting animals at distance zero (g(0)) is very close to 1 but there is substantial random measurement error in estimating distances. To estimate abundance from these data, we use methods which assume g(0)=1 but which includea distance measurement error model. In the case of the 2001 survey, measurement errors were sufficiently small to be negligible, and we use double platform methods which estimate g(0) and assume no measurement error to estimate abundance. From the 1987 survey, we estimate abundance to be 24,532 animals, with 95% CI (13,399; 44,916). From the 2001 NASS survey data, minke whale abundance is estimated to be 43,633 animals, with 95% CI (30,148; 63,149).

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Direct and indirect effects of minke whale abundance on cod and herring fisheries: A scenario experiment for the Greater Barents Sea

NAMMCO Scientific Publications ◽

10.7557/3.2976 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

pp. 120 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Tore Schweder ◽

Gro S Hagen ◽

Einar Hatlebakk

Keyword(s):

Gadus Morhua ◽

Barents Sea ◽

Minke Whale ◽

Clupea Harengus ◽

Prey Abundance ◽

Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽

Time Step ◽

Minke Whales ◽

Spawning Stock ◽

Capelin Mallotus Villosus

To study the pattern of interaction between minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) abundance and the main fisheries in the Greater Barents Sea, a simulation experiment was carried out. The population model involves 4 species interconnected in a food web: cod (Gadus morhua), capelin (Mallotus villosus), herring (Clupea harengus) and minke whales. Minke whales are preying on cod, capelin andherring; cod are preying on (young) cod, capelin and herring; herring in the Barents Sea are preying on capelin; while capelin is a bottom prey in the model. The consumption function for minke whales is non-linear in available prey abundance, and is estimated from stomach content data and prey abundance data. The model is dynamic, with a time step of one month, and there are two areas: the BarentsSea and the Norwegian Sea. Minke whale abundances are kept on fixed levels, while recruitment in fish is stochastic.Cod and herring fisheries are managed by quotas targeting fixed fishing mortalities, while capelin is managed with a view to allow the cod to have enough food and leaving a sufficient spawning stock of capelin. The model is simulated over a period of 100 years for a number of fixed levels of minke whaleabundance, and simulated catches of cod, herring and capelin are recorded.The experiment showed interactions between whale abundance and fish catches to be mainly linear. For cod catches, both the direct effect of whales consuming cod, and the indirect effect due to whales competing with cod for food and otherwise altering the ecosystem, are linear and of equal importance. The net effect on the herring fishery is of the same magnitude as the net effect on the cod fishery, witheach extra whale reducing the catches of both species by some 5 tonnes. These conclusions are conditional on the model and its parameterisation.

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Dwarf minke whales from the South Pacific share a matrilineal lineage distinct from Balaenoptera acutorostrata acutorostrata and B. a. scammoni

Australian Mammalogy ◽

10.1071/am18015 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

pp. 231

Author(s):

Omar Ramirez-Flores ◽

Alastair Birtles ◽

Diana Pazmino ◽

Kyall R. Zenger ◽

Lynne Van-Herwerden

Keyword(s):

Sequence Data ◽

South Pacific ◽

Nuclear Data ◽

Minke Whale ◽

Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽

Conservation Action ◽

Dna Sequence Data ◽

Minke Whales ◽

Satellite Tagging ◽

Relationship Of

Dwarf minke whales are regarded as an undescribed subspecies of common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), but appropriate conservation action requires taxonomic confirmation. The relationship of the Australian Great Barrier Reef (GBR) dwarf minke whale aggregation to other minke whales is unknown. This study aims to clarify the phylogenetic relationship of GBR dwarf minke whales, using partial mitochondrial DNA sequence data from 23 GBR dwarf minke whales, compared with other available minke whale sequences. GBR dwarf minke whales share haplotypes with other West South Pacific (WSP) dwarf minke whales. Satellite tagging studies corroborate these findings, indicating that GBR dwarf minke whales migrate south along the east Australian coast towards the Southern Ocean. Despite nuclear data not being available, GBR and WSP dwarf minke whales share a distinctive mitochondrial lineage compared with other common minke whales and should be managed independently of North Pacific and Atlantic Ocean common minke whale populations.

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Frozen verses: Antarctic minke whales ( Balaenoptera bonaerensis ) call predominantly during austral winter

Royal Society Open Science ◽

10.1098/rsos.192112 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (10) ◽

pp. 192112

Author(s):

Diego Filun ◽

Karolin Thomisch ◽

Olaf Boebel ◽

Thomas Brey ◽

Ana Širović ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Minke Whale ◽

Weddell Sea ◽

Austral Winter ◽

Atlantic Sector ◽

Antarctic Minke Whale ◽

Minke Whales ◽

Ice Concentration ◽

Vocal Activity ◽

Passive Acoustic ◽

Occurrence Patterns

The recent identification of the bio-duck call as Antarctic minke whale (AMW) vocalization allows the use of passive acoustic monitoring to retrospectively investigate year-round spatial-temporal patterns in minke whale occurrence in ice-covered areas. Here, we present an analysis of AMW occurrence patterns based on a 9-year passive acoustic dataset (2008–2016) from 21 locations throughout the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean (Weddell Sea). AMWs were detected acoustically at all mooring locations from May to December, with the highest presence between August and November (bio-duck calls present at more than 80% of days). At the southernmost recording locations, the bio-duck call was present up to 10 months of the year. Substantial inter-annual variation in the seasonality of vocal activity correlated to variation in local ice concentration. Our analysis indicates that part of the AMW population stays in the Weddell Sea during austral winter. The period with the highest acoustic presence in the Weddell Sea (September–October) coincides with the timing of the breeding season of AMW in lower latitudes. The bio-duck call could therefore play a role in mating, although other behavioural functions of the call cannot be excluded to date.

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Marking of Small Cetaceans Using "Discovery" Type Whale Marks

Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada ◽

10.1139/f75-143 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 32 (7) ◽

pp. 1237-1240 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

S. G. Brown

Keyword(s):

Minke Whale ◽

Orcinus Orca ◽

Killer Whales ◽

Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽

Lagenorhynchus Obscurus ◽

Minke Whales ◽

Beaked Whales ◽

Pilot Whales ◽

Dusky Dolphin

All smaller cetaceans known to have been successfully marked with "Discovery" type marks are summarized. These include 67 minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), 33 killer whales (Orcinus orca), 30 pilot whales (Globicephala sp.), 7 bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon sp.), 5 other "beaked whales," and 1 dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus). Recoveries include 3 minke, 1 bottlenose, and 1 killer. Minke whale marks were recovered up to 4 yr 2 mo after marking.

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Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) observed during land-based surveys in The Minch, north-west Scotland

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315413000507 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 94 (6) ◽

pp. 1185-1194 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sarah J. Dolman ◽

Nicola K. Hodgins ◽

Colin D. MacLeod ◽

Graham J. Pierce ◽

Caroline R. Weir

Keyword(s):

Minke Whale ◽

Harbour Porpoise ◽

Phocoena Phocoena ◽

Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽

Sea State ◽

Marine Fauna ◽

Monitoring Method ◽

North West ◽

Minke Whales ◽

Cetorhinus Maximus

The waters off north-west Scotland are known to provide important habitat for the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and the minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Between October 2008 and April 2011, systematic land-based surveys were carried out to assess the seasonal occurrence, group size and group behaviours of both species in a study area located off Melvaig, near Gairloch. Data were collected on 47 separate days, with a total of 4543 minutes of survey effort (in sea states ≤3) recorded during the spring months and 8204 minutes of effort during the autumn. A total of 189 sightings of marine fauna were recorded, comprising 126 cetacean sightings, 50 seal sightings and 13 sightings of basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus). Six species of cetacean were identified, with most sightings comprising harbour porpoise (N = 72) or minke whale (N = 38). Harbour porpoise abundance was higher in autumn than in spring and there was a variation between years in numbers of minke whales sighted. In porpoises, sea state and cloud cover both influenced sightings and increasing sea state influenced survey area. Foraging behaviour was exhibited in 13% of harbour porpoise sightings and 34% of minke whale sightings. Results demonstrate a regular occurrence of harbour porpoises and minke whales in nearshore waters off Gairloch. Densities are comparable to boat surveys in the region and so support the use of land-based watches as a potential longer-term monitoring method for these species in coastal waters. Given the regular use of this area by these two European Protected Species, as well as the occurrence of a range of human activities potentially affecting them in the region, it may be appropriate to consider protecting this area for their conservation.

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