Distribution of Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Caribbean Determined by a Rapid Acoustic Method

1978 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1150-1152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Coleman Levenson ◽  
William T. Leapley
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Distribution Density ◽  
Caribbean Sea ◽  
Humpback Whale ◽  
Acoustic Method ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Acoustic Detection ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Almost All

Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) distribution in the eastern Caribbean Sea was studied by means of solitary sonobuoys deployed from an oceanographic aircraft. Humpback whale sounds were detected on 33 of 82 sonobuoys deployed. It is estimated that 62 whales were detected in an area of 22 140 km2 by this method with whale density calculated at 2.8 × 10−3 whales/km2. For further experiments in selected areas we used a colinear array to obtain accurate counts of humpbacks. A total of 18 humpbacks were detected in this manner with a mean of 2.6 whales per array deployment. Combined acoustic and visual detections indicate a minimum of 119 humpbacks in the area surveyed. This rapid acoustic method could also be applied to detection of almost all odontocete cetaceans and to other marine mammals with distinctive vocal patterns. Key words: cetaceans, whales, acoustic detection, distribution, density, humpbacks, aircraft detectors, sonobuoys

scholarly journals Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) observations in Laskeek Bay, western Hecate Strait, in spring and early summer, 1990–2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-269
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Gaston ◽  
Neil G. Pilgrim ◽  
Vivian Pattison
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Humpback Whale ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
The West ◽  
Peak Period ◽  
West Side

We describe observations of Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) made along the west side of central Hecate Strait, British Columbia, during the spring and summer of 1990–2018. From none in March, the frequency of sightings increased from early April to a peak in May, then fell in June with few in July. The frequency of sightings during the peak period (1 May–20 June) increased over the course of the study at a mean rate of 6% a year, similar to increases recorded elsewhere in British Columbian waters. The frequency of sightings was highest in years when the Oceanic Niño Index for January–March was low and peaked earlier in years when the Oceanic Niño Index was high. Both of these relationships suggest a connection between Humpback Whale sightings in western Hecate Strait and the larger oceanographic context, with sightings more frequent in years of lower water temperatures.

Multiple visits of individual humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) between the Hawaiian and Japanese winter grounds

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 504-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan R Salden ◽  
Louis M Herman ◽  
Manami Yamaguchi ◽  
Fumihiko Sato
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variability ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Humpback Whale ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Winter Ground ◽  
The Third ◽  
Breeding Populations ◽  
Published Report

We document through photographic identifications three humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) winter ground interchanges between Hawai'i and Japan. Two of these whales, identified as male by their behavioral roles, made multiple interchanges across years; i.e., they were initially seen in Hawai'i, were later observed in Japan, and subsequently, returned to Hawai'i. The third whale was seen in only 2 different years, once in Japan and then in Hawai'i. Prior to this report, there has been only one published report of a Hawai'i-Japan interchange and only eight between Hawai'i and Mexico. None of these involved multiple interchanges. The current findings demonstrate that individual whales may be highly flexible in their annual choice of widely separated winter destinations and suggest that these wanderers may be mainly males. The occurrence of wanderers provides a mechanism for increasing genetic variability in the breeding populations and also suggests a mechanism for noted song similarities across different North Pacific winter grounds.

Male mate choice and male-male competition coexist in the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 745-755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison S Craig ◽  
Louis M Herman ◽  
Adam A Pack
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Humpback Whale ◽  
Male Competition ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Reproductive Season ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Male Mate Choice ◽  
Calving Rate ◽  
Male Mate

Male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) outnumber females on the winter grounds and compete physically for proximity to females. Analyses of identification photographs collected in Hawai'i from 1976 through 1995 and scan samples collected in 1998 showed that (i) reproductive potential (calving rate) for the following winter was greater for females without a calf than females with a calf, (ii) females without a calf were less likely to be found alone and more likely to be found in large pods than females with a calf, (iii) individual females were found in larger pods when without a calf than when with a calf, (iv) the probability of females with a calf being escorted by one or more males increased as the reproductive season progressed, and (v) head lunges occurred more commonly in all-adult pods than in pods containing a calf. We concluded that male humpback whales associate preferentially with females with high reproductive potential, that the attractiveness of individual females varies with their status (with a calf versus without a calf), that males become progressively less choosy over the course of the reproductive season as females without a calf become increasingly rare on the winter grounds, and that males expend more energy in competition over females without a calf than females with a calf.

Reproduction and recruitment of individually identified humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, observed in Massachusetts Bay, 1979–1985

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (12) ◽  
pp. 2853-2863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip J. Clapham ◽  
Charles A. Mayo
Keyword(s):  
Birth Rate ◽  
Crude Birth Rate ◽  
Humpback Whale ◽  
Mature Female ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Massachusetts Bay ◽  
High Return ◽  
Calving Intervals

Humpback whale mother–calf pairs from a currently unexploited population were observed in Massachusetts Bay between 1979 and 1985. During this period, 44 individually identified mature females were observed, with a total of 72 calves. Of the 20 mothers observed with more than one calf during the study period, 12 had two calves and 8 had three calves. The observed calving intervals were 1 year (n = 1), 2 years (n = 16), 3 years (n = 10), and 4 years (n = 1). The crude birth rate varied from a low of 0.045 in 1981 to a high of 0.103 in 1983 (mean = 0.075). An alternative calculation of reproductive rate yielded a range of 0.30–0.43 calves per mature female per year. Mature females were observed significantly more frequently in years when they had a calf than in years when they did not. Females with calves associate with other whales less frequently than females without calves. Observations of calves feeding suggest that weaning may begin when calves are 5–6 months of age. Forty-five of the 49 calves born before 1985 separated from their mothers during the calf's second winter, while 37 of the 49 were observed to return to the study area in 1 or more years after separation from their mothers. One calf is known to have died. Two females born during the study period returned with calves of their own in later years. The high return rate of calves in years after separation strongly suggests that the composition of a humpback whale feeding stock is determined matrilineally.

scholarly journals Surface activity of Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae (Cetacea, Mysticeti) on the northern coast of Bahia, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Leonardo Leão Versiani ◽  
Cristiano Schetini Azevedo
Keyword(s):  
Surface Activity ◽  
Humpback Whale ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Sea State ◽  
Surface Activities ◽  
Cloud Coverage

Surface activities of humpback whale groups were studied during the reproductive seasons of 2008, 2009 and 2010 on the northern coast of Bahia State, Brazil, near the district of Praia do Forte. The level of surface activity exhibited by 342 groups of whales was evaluated according to the sea state (measured on the Beaufort scale) and cloud coverage. Five behaviours were recorded: breaching, head slapping, tail slapping, pectoral flipper slapping and tail breaching. Most of the sightings occurred with a sea state classified on the Beaufort scale as 2, and with a cloud coverage of 26 to 50%. The most recorded level of surface activity was pectoral flipper slapping. The results showed that humpback whale behaviours do not seem to be influenced by the sea state or by cloud coverage.

North Atlantic humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) hotspots defined by bathymetric features off western Puerto Rico

2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (7) ◽  
pp. 517-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.M. MacKay ◽  
B. Würsig ◽  
C.E. Bacon ◽  
J.D. Selwyn
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Humpback Whale ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Shelf Edge ◽  
Species List ◽  
Occurrence Patterns ◽  
Potential Interactions

North Atlantic humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski, 1781)) are increasing in number, necessitating current data from winter areas for assessing potential interactions with humans. Occurrence patterns of humpback whales wintering off Puerto Rico were investigated to predict where whales aggregate in nearshore areas. Here we describe the relationship between group associations of humpback whales and bathymetric features off western Puerto Rico. Data were collected from 2011 to 2014. Effort consisted of 240.9 vessel h, 13.0 aerial h, and 303.6 h of land observations conducted over 165 days. A total of 197 humpback whale groups were observed with n = 331 individuals: 91 (46.2%) singletons, 67 (34%) dyads, 17 (8.6%) mother–calf pairs, 8 (4.1%) competitive groups, 8 (4.1%) mother–calf–escort groups, and 6 (3.1%) mixed-species associations. A linear regression model supported that group composition correlated with hotspots associated with four bathymetric features. Dyads and competitive groups were dispersed among features in deeper water. Singletons were observed farther from a shelf edge, whereas singing males were closely associated with a shelf edge. Mother–calf pairs occurred nearshore in shallow water; however, when mother–calf pairs were sighted with an escort, they were offshore. This study is especially important ahead of possible removal from the Endangered Species list.

scholarly journals Very low numbers of endangered Oceania humpback whales seen in Fijian waters

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Miller ◽  
A. Batibasiga ◽  
S. Sharma-Gounder ◽  
P. Solomona
Keyword(s):  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Humpback Whale ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Large Decrease ◽  
The South ◽  
Migration Routes ◽  
Antarctic Waters ◽  
Commercial Whaling

Intensive commercial whaling caused significant declines in Southern Hemisphere humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) populations. In Fiji, land-based humpback whale surveys undertaken from 1956 to 1958 documented maximum weekly counts of more than 150 humpback whales in parts of the Bligh waters. These records provide an invaluable point of comparison to present-day observations as they occurred immediately prior to very large humpback whale catches in Antarctic waters to the south – and on potential migration routes – of humpback whales breeding in Fijian waters. We report here on a three-year (2010–2012) land-based survey also conducted in the Bligh waters during which a total of 33 individuals over 480 h were counted from Ovalau Island and 68 individuals over approximately 300 h were observed from Makogai Island. These findings suggest a large decrease in numbers of humpback whales seen in Fiji waters since commercial whaling operations.

Mind the gap: why neurological plasticity may explain seasonal interruption in humpback whale song

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (8) ◽  
pp. 1489-1491 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.J. Wright ◽  
L.A. Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Humpback Whale ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Neurological Development ◽  
Honest Signal ◽  
Physiological Mechanisms ◽  
Additional Weight ◽  
Potential Mate ◽  
Current Thinking ◽  
Breeding Seasons

Much is unknown about humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) song. The behaviour is limited almost exclusively to males, occurs almost exclusively on the calving grounds and is identical within a population, although it changes periodically throughout the season. Much of current thinking associates humpback whale song with breeding, although it is not clear if it is intended to attract a mate, fend off challengers, or a combination of the two. There is, however, very little information on the internal biology of these large, sea-going mammals, so the majority of hypotheses have not considered much in the way of physiological mechanisms. Nonetheless, we believe that there is enough information available to infer that a seasonal process of neurological development and atrophy similar to that found in other animals may be present in humpback whales. We believe this explains why humpback whale song is not produced between breeding seasons and also why it does not vary between seasons, while it does so within a season. It also adds additional weight to the idea that humpback whale song is an honest signal of fitness to a potential mate or competitor.

Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) Fatally Poisoned by Dinoflagellate Toxin

1989 ◽  
Vol 46 (11) ◽  
pp. 1895-1898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph R. Geraci ◽  
Donald M. Anderson ◽  
Ralph J. Timperi ◽  
David J. St. Aubin ◽  
Gregory A. Early ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Cape Cod ◽  
Shellfish Poisoning ◽  
Atlantic Mackerel ◽  
Cape Cod Bay

During a 5–wk period beginning in late November, 1987, 14 humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, died in Cape Cod Bay after eating Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus, containing saxitoxin (STX), a dinoflagellate neurotoxin responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning in humans. We propose a line of evidence to explain how whales, by virtue of their diving adaptations, may be particularly vulnerable to this systemic neurotoxin. Absence of STX in New England waters and shellfish during the episode suggests that the mackerel, representing the northern stock which spawns in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, accumulated the toxin there and delivered it to the Gulf of Maine and Cape Cod Bay in the fall of 1987. These findings challenge common perceptions of the manner in which planktonic toxins move through the food chain, and offer new insights into natural mortality and standings of marine mammals. It seems appropriate to search for STX and other phytotoxins when investigating marine mammal mortalities.

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