scholarly journals Fin whales of the Great Bear Rainforest: Balaenoptera physalus velifera in a Canadian Pacific fjord system

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0256815
Author(s):  
Eric M. Keen ◽  
James Pilkington ◽  
Éadin O’Mahony ◽  
Kim-Ly Thompson ◽  
Benjamin Hendricks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Line Transect ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Fin Whale ◽  
Resident Population ◽  
Fjord System ◽  
Commercial Whaling ◽  
Dynamics Of Population ◽  
Oceanic Species ◽  
Fin Whales ◽  
Peak Abundance

Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) are widely considered an offshore and oceanic species, but certain populations also use coastal areas and semi-enclosed seas. Based upon fifteen years of study, we report that Canadian Pacific fin whales (B. p. velifera) have returned to the Kitimat Fjord System (KFS) in the Great Bear Rainforest, and have established a seasonally resident population in its intracoastal waters. This is the only fjord system along this coast or elsewhere in which fin whales are known to occur regularly with strong site fidelity. The KFS was also the only Canadian Pacific fjord system in which fin whales were commonly found and killed during commercial whaling, pointing to its long-term importance. Traditional knowledge, whaling records, and citizen science databases suggest that fin whales were extirpated from this area prior to their return in 2005–2006. Visual surveys and mark-recapture analysis documented their repopulation of the area, with 100–120 whales using the fjord system in recent years, as well as the establishment of a seasonally resident population with annual return rates higher than 70%. Line transect surveys identified the central and outer channels of the KFS as the primary fin whale habitat, with the greatest densities occurring in Squally Channel and Caamaño Sound. Fin whales were observed in the KFS in most months of the year. Vessel- and shore-based surveys (27,311 km and 6,572 hours of effort, respectively) indicated regular fin whale presence (2,542 detections), including mother-calf pairs, from June to October and peak abundance in late August–early September. Seasonal patterns were variable year-to-year, and several lines of evidence indicated that fin whales arrived and departed from the KFS repeatedly throughout the summer and fall. Additionally, we report on the population’s social network and morphometrics. These findings offer insights into the dynamics of population recovery in an area where several marine shipping projects are proposed. The fin whales of the Great Bear Rainforest represent a rare exception to general patterns in this species’ natural history, and we highlight the importance of their conservation.

Evidence of a calving ground of the resident population of fin whales ( Balaenoptera physalus ) in the Gulf of California

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Bernot‐Simon ◽  
Lorena Viloria‐Gómora ◽  
Alejandro Gómez‐Gallardo ◽  
Jorge Urbán R.
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of California ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Resident Population ◽  
Fin Whales

Revision of fin whale Balaenoptera physalus (Linnaeus, 1758) subspecies using genetics

2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (5) ◽  
pp. 1653-1670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick I Archer ◽  
Robert L Brownell ◽  
Brittany L Hancock-Hanser ◽  
Phillip A Morin ◽  
Kelly M Robertson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Recent Analysis ◽  
Snp Analysis ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Fin Whale ◽  
The North ◽  
Fin Whales ◽  
The North Pacific

Abstract Three subspecies of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) are currently recognized, including the northern fin whale (B. p. physalus), the southern fin whale (B. p. quoyi), and the pygmy fin whale (B. p. patachonica). The Northern Hemisphere subspecies encompasses fin whales in both the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. A recent analysis of 154 mitogenome sequences of fin whales from these two ocean basins and the Southern Hemisphere suggested that the North Pacific and North Atlantic populations should be treated as different subspecies. Using these mitogenome sequences, in this study, we conduct analyses on a larger mtDNA control region data set, and on 23 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 144 of the 154 samples in the mitogenome data set. Our results reveal that North Pacific and North Atlantic fin whales can be correctly assigned to their ocean basin with 99% accuracy. Results of the SNP analysis indicate a correct classification rate of 95%, very low rates of gene flow among ocean basins, and that distinct mitogenome matrilines in the North Pacific are interbreeding. These results indicate that North Pacific fin whales should be recognized as a separate subspecies, with the name B. p. velifera Cope in Scammon 1869 as the oldest available name.

Sex hormone concentrations in blood serum from the North Atlantic fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)

1992 ◽  
Vol 134 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Kjeld ◽  
J. Sigurjónsson ◽  
A. Árnason
Keyword(s):  
Blood Serum ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Serum Progesterone ◽  
Fin Whale ◽  
Pregnant Females ◽  
The North ◽  
Group I ◽  
Fin Whales

ABSTRACT Blood serum concentrations of testosterone and progesterone were measured in postmortem samples taken at sea from 814 fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) caught during the summers (June–September) of 1981–1989. The ages of 781 of these animals were also assessed. The testosterone concentrations in samples from 352 males averaged 2 nmol/l; 41 samples had concentrations of 0·1 nmol/l or lower and 34 of these came from whales aged between 2 and 14 years and showed a Gaussian type of age distribution with a peak number at 7 to 8 years. The mean testosterone concentrations in the males increased by more than fourfold between June and August. Serum progesterone concentrations of the 462 females fell into three separate groups: (1) group I with values ≤ 0·1 nmol/l; (2) group II with intermediate values of > 0·1 nmol/l but <10 nmol/l; (3) group III with values of ≥ 10 nmol/l. These three groups of females seemed to consist respectively of young sexually immature females, mature non-pregnant females and pregnant females. The age distribution in the groups indicated that puberty in females is attained chiefly between the ages of 7 and 10. The yearly pregnancy rate (that percentage of all females caught and studied in a year which had progesterone values ≥10 nmol/l) was between 35% and 55%, except in 1987 when it was 67%. The yearly pregnancy rate would range from 56% to 93% if only mature females (i.e. those with serum progesterone >0·1 nmol/l) were considered. Serum oestradiol concentrations in male and female fin whales had no relation to age, sex or pregnancy. Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 134, 405–413

On the occurrence of the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) in the northern Adriatic

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 861-862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lovrenc Lipej ◽  
Jakov Dulčić ◽  
Boris Kryštufek
Keyword(s):  
Humpback Whale ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
Zooplankton Abundance ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Northern Adriatic ◽  
Fin Whale ◽  
Fin Whales ◽  
Basking Shark

Twenty-three observations of 26 fin whales Balaenoptera physalus are documented for the northern Adriatic. Records were more common along the eastern coast and have increased over the last decades. The latter coincides with the increased presence of other planktivorous vertebrates (humpback whale, basking shark) and possibly follow changes in the zooplankton abundance.

scholarly journals Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) mitogenomics: A cautionary tale of defining sub-species from mitochondrial sequence monophyly

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea A. Cabrera ◽  
Jeroen P. A. Hoekendijk ◽  
Alex Aguilar ◽  
Susan G. Barco ◽  
Simon Berrow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Genome ◽  
Genetic Drift ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Complete Mitochondrial Genome ◽  
Recent Common Ancestor ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Fin Whale ◽  
Fin Whales

HighlightsMitochondrial monophyly is commonly employed to define evolutionary significant units.Monophyly may be caused by insufficient sampling or a recent common ancestor.Mitogenomic studies are generally based on few samples and prone to sampling issues.Expanded mitogenome sampling negates previous monophyly in fin whales.AbstractThe advent of massive parallel sequencing technologies has resulted in an increase of studies based upon complete mitochondrial genome DNA sequences that revisit the taxonomic status within and among species. Spatially distinct monophyly in mitogenomic genealogies, i.e., the sharing of a recent common ancestor among con-specific samples collected in the same region has been viewed as evidence for subspecies. Several recent studies in cetaceans have employed this criterion to suggest subsequent intraspecific taxonomic revisions. We reason that employing intra-specific, spatially distinct monophyly at non-recombining, clonally inherited genomes is an unsatisfactory criterion for defining subspecies based upon theoretical (genetic drift) and practical (sampling effort) arguments. This point is illustrated by a re-analysis of a global mitogenomic assessment of fin whales, Balaenoptera physalus spp., published by Archer et al. (2013) which proposed to further subdivide the Northern Hemisphere fin whale subspecies, B. p. physalus. The proposed revision was based upon the detection of spatially distinct monophyly among North Atlantic and North Pacific fin whales in a genealogy based upon complete mitochondrial genome DNA sequences. The extended analysis conducted in this study (1,676 mitochondrial control region, 162 complete mitochondrial genome DNA sequences and 20 microsatellite loci genotyped in 358 samples) revealed that the apparent monophyly among North Atlantic fin whales reported by Archer et al. (2013) to be due to low sample sizes. In conclusion, defining sub-species from monophyly (i.e., the absence of para-or polyphyly) can lead to erroneous conclusions due to relatively “trivial” aspects, such as sampling. Basic population genetic processes (i.e., genetic drift and migration) also affect the time to most recent common ancestor and hence the probability that individuals in a sample are monophyletic.

scholarly journals Developing and assessing a density surface model in a Bayesian hierarchical framework with a focus on uncertainty: insights from simulations and an application to fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus)

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8226
Author(s):  
Douglas B. Sigourney ◽  
Samuel Chavez-Rosales ◽  
Paul B. Conn ◽  
Lance Garrison ◽  
Elizabeth Josephson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Distance Sampling ◽  
Habitat Model ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Density Estimates ◽  
Bayesian Hierarchical ◽  
Density Surface ◽  
Fin Whales

Density surface models (DSMs) are an important tool in the conservation and management of cetaceans. Most previous applications of DSMs have adopted a two-step approach to model fitting (hereafter referred to as the Two-Stage Method), whereby detection probabilities are first estimated using distance sampling detection functions and subsequently used as an offset when fitting a density-habitat model. Although variance propagation techniques have recently become available for the Two-Stage Method, most previous applications have not propagated detection probability uncertainty into final density estimates. In this paper, we describe an alternative approach for fitting DSMs based on Bayesian hierarchical inference (hereafter referred to as the Bayesian Method), which is a natural framework for simultaneously propagating multiple sources of uncertainty into final estimates. Our framework includes (1) a mark-recapture distance sampling observation model that can accommodate two team line transect data, (2) an informed prior for the probability a group of animals is at the surface and available for detection (i.e. surface availability) (3) a density-habitat model incorporating spatial smoothers and (4) a flexible compound Poisson-gamma model for count data that incorporates overdispersion and zero-inflation. We evaluate our method and compare its performance to the Two-Stage Method with simulations and an application to line transect data of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) off the east coast of the USA. Simulations showed that both methods had low bias (<1.5%) and confidence interval coverage close to the nominal 95% rate when variance was propagated from the first step. Results from the fin whale analysis showed that density estimates and predicted distribution patterns were largely similar among methods; however, the coefficient of variation of the final abundance estimate more than doubled (0.14 vs 0.31) when detection variance was correctly propagated into final estimates. An analysis of the variance components demonstrated that overall detectability as well as surface availability contributed substantial amounts of variance in the final abundance estimates whereas uncertainty in mean group size contributed a negligible amount. Our method provides a Bayesian alternative to DSMs that incorporates much of the flexibility available in the Two-Stage Method. In addition, these results demonstrate the degree to which uncertainty can be underestimated if certain components of a DSM are assumed fixed.

scholarly journals Distribution and abundance of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the Northeast and Central Atlantic as inferred from the North Atlantic Sightings Surveys 1987-2001

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gísli A Víkingsson ◽  
Daniel G Pike ◽  
Geneviève Desportes ◽  
Nils Øien ◽  
Thorvaldur Gunnlaugsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Annual Growth Rate ◽  
Survey Period ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
The North ◽  
Fin Whales ◽  
Eastern North Atlantic

North Atlantic Sightings Surveys (NASS) is a series of large scale international cetacean line transect surveys, conducted in 1987, 1989, 1995 and 2001, that covered a large part of the central and eastern North Atlantic. Target species were fin (Balaenoptera physalus), common minke (B. acutorostrata), pilot (Globicephala melas) and sei (B. borealis) whales. Here we present new estimates of abundance for fin whales from the 2 most recent surveys and analysis of trends throughout the survey period. Fin whales were found in highest densities in the Irminger Sea between Iceland and Greenland. Abundance of fin whales in the survey area of the Icelandic and Faroese vessels (Central North Atlantic) was estimated as 19,672 (95% C.I. 12,083-28,986) animals in 1995 and 24,887 (95% C.I. 18,186-30,214) in 2001. The estimates are negatively biased because of whales diving during the passage of vessels, and whales being missed by observers, but these and other potential biases are likely small for this species. The abundance of fin whales increased significantly over the survey period. For all areas combined the estimated annual growth rate was 4%. An estimated annual increase of 10% in the area between Iceland and Greenland was responsible for most of this overall increase in numbers of fin whales in the area. Although high, the estimated rates of increase are not out of bounds of biological plausibility and can thus be viewed as recovery of a depleted population. However, the apparent pattern of population growth and the whaling history in the area indicate that fin whales made a significant recovery during the first half of the 20th century and that the recent observed high growth rates cannot be explained solely by recovery after overexploitation. 

Noise generated by the jaw actions of feeding fin whales

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (12) ◽  
pp. 2546-2550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul F. Brodie
Keyword(s):  
The Body ◽  
Synovial Joint ◽  
Body Movements ◽  
Animal Kingdom ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Fin Whale ◽  
Filter Feeders ◽  
Fin Whales

The fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) is representative of baleen whales, which feed by engulfing up to 70 t of seawater in an elastic throat pouch, prior to filtering. This represents (i) the greatest biomechanical action in the animal kingdom, and (ii) a deviation from the flowthrough design of fishing trawls, most filter-feeders, and sampling devices. Based upon observations of fresh carcasses, it is proposed that during the brief period at full gape agile prey may be startled and retained within the pouch by noise: a synovial joint-crack generated during realignment of the tips of the mandibles. It is argued that the previous detection of nonvocal sounds, attributed to the body movements of feeding fin whales, may also include noise resulting from this action.

scholarly journals Autumn movements of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) from Svalbard, Norway, revealed by satellite tracking

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Lydersen ◽  
Jade Vacquié-Garcia ◽  
Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen ◽  
Nils Øien ◽  
Christophe Guinet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Tracking ◽  
The Other ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
High Latitudes ◽  
Breeding Area ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Westerly Direction ◽  
Satellite Transmitters ◽  
Fin Whales ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract Insight into animal movements is essential for understanding habitat use by individuals as well as population processes and species life-history strategies. In this study, we instrumented 25 fin whales with ARGOS satellite-transmitters in Svalbard, Norway, to study their movement patterns and behaviour (Area Restricted Search (ARS), transiting or unknown) during boreal autumn/early winter. Ten of the whales stayed in the tagging area (most northerly location: 81.68°N) for their entire tracking periods (max 45 days). The other 15 whales moved in a south-westerly direction; the longest track ended off the coast of northern Africa (> 5000 km from the tagging location) after 96 days. The whales engaged in ARS behaviour intermittently throughout their southward migrations. During transit phases the whales moved quickly; one individual maintained an average horizontal speed of 9.3 km/h (travelling 223 km per day) for a period of a week. This study documents that: (1) some fin whales might remain at high latitudes during winter; (2) the whales that do migrate probably feed along the way; (3) they can maintain high transiting speed for long periods and; (4) one breeding area for this species is likely located in deep, warm water some 100 km west of Morocco.

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