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Cheeseman T, Southerland K, Acebes JM, Audley K, Barlow J, Bejder L, Birdsall C, Bradford AL, Byington JK, Calambokidis J, Cartwright R, Cedarleaf J, Chavez AJG, Currie JJ, De Weerdt J, Doe N, Doniol-Valcroze T, Dracott K, Filatova O, Finn R, Flynn K, Ford JKB, Frisch-Jordán A, Gabriele CM, Goodwin B, Hayslip C, Hildering J, Hill MC, Jacobsen JK, Jiménez-López ME, Jones M, Kobayashi N, Lyman E, Malleson M, Mamaev E, Martínez Loustalot P, Masterman A, Matkin C, McMillan CJ, Moore JE, Moran JR, Neilson JL, Newell H, Okabe H, Olio M, Pack AA, Palacios DM, Pearson HC, Quintana-Rizzo E, Ramírez Barragán RF, Ransome N, Rosales-Nanduca H, Sharpe F, Shaw T, Stack SH, Staniland I, Straley J, Szabo A, Teerlink S, Titova O, Urban R J, van Aswegen M, de Morais MV, von Ziegesar O, Witteveen B, Wray J, Yano KM, Zwiefelhofer D, Clapham P. A collaborative and near-comprehensive North Pacific humpback whale photo-ID dataset. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10237. [PMID: 37353581 PMCID: PMC10290149 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36928-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
We present an ocean-basin-scale dataset that includes tail fluke photographic identification (photo-ID) and encounter data for most living individual humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the North Pacific Ocean. The dataset was built through a broad collaboration combining 39 separate curated photo-ID catalogs, supplemented with community science data. Data from throughout the North Pacific were aggregated into 13 regions, including six breeding regions, six feeding regions, and one migratory corridor. All images were compared with minimal pre-processing using a recently developed image recognition algorithm based on machine learning through artificial intelligence; this system is capable of rapidly detecting matches between individuals with an estimated 97-99% accuracy. For the 2001-2021 study period, a total of 27,956 unique individuals were documented in 157,350 encounters. Each individual was encountered, on average, in 5.6 sampling periods (i.e., breeding and feeding seasons), with an annual average of 87% of whales encountered in more than one season. The combined dataset and image recognition tool represents a living and accessible resource for collaborative, basin-wide studies of a keystone marine mammal in a time of rapid ecological change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ted Cheeseman
- Happywhale, Santa Cruz, California, USA.
- Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia.
| | | | | | | | - Jay Barlow
- NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Lars Bejder
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Kaneohe, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Caitlin Birdsall
- Marine Education and Research Society, Port McNeill, British Columbia, Canada
- Ocean Wise, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Amanda L Bradford
- NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Josie K Byington
- Pacific Wildlife Foundation, Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Nicole Doe
- Marine Education and Research Society, Port McNeill, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Karina Dracott
- Ocean Wise, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- North Coast Cetacean Society, Hartley Bay, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Rachel Finn
- NOAA Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii, USA
| | | | - John K B Ford
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Christine M Gabriele
- Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Gustavus, Alaska, USA
- Hawai'i Marine Mammal Consortium, Kamuela, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Beth Goodwin
- Eye of the Whale Marine Mammal Research, Kamuela, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Craig Hayslip
- Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon, USA
| | - Jackie Hildering
- Marine Education and Research Society, Port McNeill, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marie C Hill
- NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
- Cooperative Institution of Marine and Atmospheric Research, Research Corporation of the University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | | | - M Esther Jiménez-López
- Departamento Académico de Ingeniería en Pesquerías, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | | | | | - Edward Lyman
- NOAA Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii, USA
| | - Mark Malleson
- Humpback Whales of the Salish Sea, Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Evgeny Mamaev
- Commander Islands National Park, Kamchatka Krai, Russian Federation
| | | | | | | | - Christie J McMillan
- Marine Education and Research Society, Port McNeill, British Columbia, Canada
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jeff E Moore
- NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - John R Moran
- NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Juneau, Alaska, USA
| | - Janet L Neilson
- Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Gustavus, Alaska, USA
| | | | - Haruna Okabe
- Okinawa Churashima Foundation, Kunigami-gun, Japan
| | | | - Adam A Pack
- University of Hawai'i at Hilo, Hilo, Hawai'i, USA
- The Dolphin Institute, Hilo, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Daniel M Palacios
- Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon, USA
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Hiram Rosales-Nanduca
- Departamento Académico de Ingeniería en Pesquerías, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Fred Sharpe
- Alaska Whale Foundation, Petersburg, Alaska, USA
| | - Tasli Shaw
- Humpback Whales of the Salish Sea, Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | - Jan Straley
- University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, Alaska, USA
| | - Andrew Szabo
- Alaska Whale Foundation, Petersburg, Alaska, USA
| | - Suzie Teerlink
- NOAA Fisheries Alaska Regional Office, Juneau, Alaska, USA
| | - Olga Titova
- Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Jorge Urban R
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, Mexico
| | | | | | | | | | - Janie Wray
- North Coast Cetacean Society, Hartley Bay, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kymberly M Yano
- NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
- Cooperative Institution of Marine and Atmospheric Research, Research Corporation of the University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | | | - Phil Clapham
- Seastar Scientific, Vashon Island, Washington, USA
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Atkinson S, Branch TA, Pack AA, Straley JM, Moran JR, Gabriele C, Mashburn KL, Cates K, Yin S. Pregnancy rate and reproductive hormones in humpback whale blubber: Dominant form of progesterone differs during pregnancy. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 330:114151. [PMID: 36341970 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
To better understand reproductive physiology of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae that reside in Hawai'i and Alaska, enzyme immunoassays were validated for both progesterone and testosterone in free-ranging and stranded animals (n = 185 biopsies). Concentrations were analyzed between different depths of large segments of blubber taken from skin to muscle layers of stranded female (n = 2, 1 pregnant, 1 non-pregnant) and male (n = 1) whales. Additionally, progesterone metabolites were identified between pregnant (n = 1) and non-pregnant (n = 3) females using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Progesterone concentrations were compared between juvenile (i.e., sexually immature), lactating, and pregnant females, and male whales, and pregnancy rates of sexually mature females were calculated. Based on replicate samples from ship struck animals collected at 7 depth locations, blubber containing the highest concentration of progesterone was located 1 cm below the skin for females, and the highest concentration of testosterone was in the skin layer of one male whale. HPLC of blubber samples of pregnant and non-pregnant females contain different immunoreactive progesterone metabolites, with the non-pregnant female eluate comprised of a more polar, and possibly conjugated, form of progesterone than the pregnant female. In females, concentrations of progesterone were highest in the blubber of pregnant (n = 28, 28.6 ± 6.9 ng/g), followed by lactating (n = 16, 0.9 ± 0.1 ng/g), and female juvenile (n = 5, 1.0 ± 0.2 ng/g) whales. Progesterone concentrations in male (n = 24, 0.6 ng/g ± 0.1 ng/g) tissues were the lowest all groups, and not different from lactating or juvenile females. Estimated summer season pregnancy rate among sexually mature females from the Hawai'i stock of humpback whales was 0.562 (95 % confidence interval 0.528-0.605). For lactating females, the year-round pregnancy rate was 0.243 (0.09-0.59), and varies depending on the threshold of progesterone assumed for pregnancy in the range between 3.1 and 28.5 ng/g. Our results demonstrate the synergistic value added when combining immunoreactive assays, HPLC, and long-term sighting histories to further knowledge of humpback whale reproductive physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Atkinson
- University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 17101 Point Lena Loop Road, Juneau, AK 99801, USA.
| | - T A Branch
- University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Box 355020, Washington 98105, USA.
| | - A A Pack
- Departments of Psychology and Biology, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 West Kawili Street, Hilo, HI 96720, USA; The Dolphin Institute, P.O. Box 6279, Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
| | - J M Straley
- University of Alaska Southeast, 1332 Seward Avenue, Sitka, AK 99835, USA.
| | - J R Moran
- National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute, 17109 Pt. Lena Loop Road, Juneau, AK 99801, USA.
| | - C Gabriele
- Hawai'i Marine Mammal Consortium, P.O. Box 6107, Kamuela, HI 96743, USA; Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, P.O. Box 140, Gustavus, AK 99826, USA.
| | - K L Mashburn
- University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 17101 Point Lena Loop Road, Juneau, AK 99801, USA.
| | - K Cates
- University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 17101 Point Lena Loop Road, Juneau, AK 99801, USA.
| | - S Yin
- Hawai'i Marine Mammal Consortium, P.O. Box 6107, Kamuela, HI 96743, USA.
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Lowe CL, Hunt KE, Neilson JL, Gabriele CM, Teerlink SS, Buck CL. Reproductive Steroid Hormone Patterns in Baleen of Two Pregnant Humpback Whales (Megaptera Novaeangliae). Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:152-163. [PMID: 35671163 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding reproductive physiology in mysticetes has been slowed by the lack of repeated samples from individuals. Analysis of humpback whale baleen enables retrospective hormone analysis within individuals dating back three to five years before death. Using this method, we investigated differences in four steroid hormones involved in reproduction and mating during confirmed pregnant and non-pregnant periods in two female humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) with known reproductive histories based on sightings and necropsy data. Cortisol, corticosterone, testosterone and estradiol concentrations were determined via enzyme immunoassay using subsamples of each baleen plate at 2 cm intervals. There were no significant differences in cortisol or corticosterone during pregnancy when compared to non-pregnancy (inter-calving interval), but there were significant differences between the two whales in average glucocorticoid concentrations, with the younger whale showing higher values overall. For testosterone, levels for the younger female peaked at parturition in one pregnancy, but also had spikes during nonpregnancy. The older female had three large spikes in testosterone, one of which was associated with parturition. Estradiol had large fluctuations in both whales but had generally lower concentrations during non-pregnancy than during pregnancy. There were peaks in estradiol before each pregnancy, possibly coinciding with ovulation, and peaks coinciding with the month of parturition. Both estradiol and testosterone could be useful for determining ovulation or impending birth. Using baleen to investigate retrospective steroid hormone profiles can be used for elucidating long-term patterns of physiological change during gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carley L Lowe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011USA
| | - Kathleen E Hunt
- Department of Biology, Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation & George Mason University, Front Royal, VI 22630USA
| | - Janet L Neilson
- Humpback Whale Monitoring Program, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, Gustavus, AK 99826USA
| | - Christine M Gabriele
- Humpback Whale Monitoring Program, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, Gustavus, AK 99826USA
| | | | - C Loren Buck
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011USA
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Sharp decline in humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) survival and reproductive success in southeastern Alaska during and after the 2014–2016 Northeast Pacific marine heatwave. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-021-00187-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Liu X, Mei Z, Zhang J, Sun J, Zhang N, Guo Y, Wang K, Hao Y, Wang D. Seasonal Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) movements in the Poyang Lake, China: Implications on flexible management for aquatic animals in fluctuating freshwater ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 807:150782. [PMID: 34619183 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Identifying seasonal high-use habitats and migration corridors is the basis for migratory species conservation. Previous studies have focused on Marine Protected Areas, while freshwater ecosystems, often accompanied by severe hydrological fluctuations, suggest new perspectives for flexible management. Poyang Lake is an essential habitat for the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis, YFP), supporting almost half of their natural population. However, studies on the movement patterns and habitat preferences of YFPs still lack there, preventing potential protected areas' effectiveness. In this study, we conducted 10 surveys for the YFP population in the main body and tributaries of Poyang Lake from October 2018 to August 2020. We used habitat modeling to analyze their seasonal habitat use and the environmental predictors. YFPs showed a seasonal movement pattern consistent with water level fluctuations. They entered the tributaries from the main lake body in low and medium water levels and returned to the main lake during high water level periods. The water depth was the most important environmental variable in each hydrological season that affects YFPs' habitat selection. The suitable water depth was about 4-8 m during the low water level, 6-12 m during the medium water level, and 7-20 m during the high water level. YFPs' 50% core habitats distribution showed noticeable seasonal changes. The proportion of their suitable habitats in the whole lake was relatively low, which was highest during high water level (16.89%), and the weakest during low water level (12.11%). Considering the seasonal movements of the YFPs in the lake, we recommend flexible management measures for their core habitats to alleviate human interference and restore their movement rhythm between the river and the lake, which shed light on protected area management for aquatic animals in such seasonal fluctuating habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhigang Mei
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Jinxiu Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jingjing Sun
- Jiangxi Association for Research and Promotion of Ecological Civilization, Nanchang 330029, China
| | - Nongnong Zhang
- Jiangxi Association for Research and Promotion of Ecological Civilization, Nanchang 330029, China
| | - Yuyin Guo
- Poyang Lake Hydrological Bureau of Jiangxi Province, Jiujiang 332005, China
| | - Kexiong Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yujiang Hao
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Ding Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
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de Silva EMK, Kumarasinghe P, Indrajith KKDAK, Pushpakumara TV, Vimukthi RDY, de Zoysa K, Gunawardana K, de Silva S. Feasibility of using convolutional neural networks for individual-identification of wild Asian elephants. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-021-00206-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Epp MV, Fournet MEH, Silber GK, Davoren GK. Allopatric humpback whales of differing generations share call types between foraging and wintering grounds. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16297. [PMID: 34381109 PMCID: PMC8357822 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95601-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are a cosmopolitan baleen whale species with geographically isolated lineages. Despite last sharing an ancestor ~ 2-3 million years ago, Atlantic and Pacific foraging populations share five call types. Whether these call types are also shared between allopatric breeding and foraging populations is unclear, but would provide further evidence that some call types are ubiquitous and fixed. We investigated whether these five call types were present on a contemporary foraging ground (Newfoundland, 2015-2016) and a historic breeding ground (Hawaii, 1981-1982). Calls were classified using aural/visual (AV) characteristics; 16 relevant acoustic variables were measured and a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to examine within-call and between-population variation. To assess whether between-population variation influenced classification, all 16 variables were included in classification and regression tree (CART) and random forest analyses (RF). All five call types were identified in both populations. Between-population variation in combined acoustic variables (PC1, PC2, PC3) was lower within call types than among call types, and high agreement between AV and quantitative classification (CART: 83% agreement; RF: 77% agreement) suggested that acoustic characteristics were more similar within than among call types. Findings indicate that these five call types are shared across allopatric populations, generations, and behavioural contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikala V Epp
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada.
| | - Michelle E H Fournet
- K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Sound Science Research Collective, Juneau, AK, USA
| | | | - Gail K Davoren
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
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Lowe CL, Hunt KE, Rogers MC, Neilson JL, Robbins J, Gabriele CM, Teerlink SS, Seton R, Buck CL. Multi-year progesterone profiles during pregnancy in baleen of humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae). CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab059. [PMID: 34745632 PMCID: PMC8567847 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Understanding calving rates of wild whale populations is critically important for management and conservation. Reproduction of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) is difficult to monitor and, even with long-term sighting studies, basic physiological information such as pregnancy rates and calving intervals remain poorly understood in many populations. We hypothesized that pregnant whales have sustained elevations in baleen progesterone that temporally correlate with gestation. To test this hypothesis, baleen progesterone profiles from two adult female North Pacific humpbacks, both with extensive sighting records and documented pregnancies, were compared to those of a nulliparous female (adult female never seen with a calf) and a juvenile male. Baleen specimens recovered during necropsy were subsampled every 2 cm from the base to the tip of the plate, with each interval representing 30-45 days of growth. Homogenized baleen powder was assayed for progesterone using enzyme immunoassays. The date of growth of each sampling location on the baleen plate was estimated based on stable isotope analysis of annual δ15N cycles. Progesterone profiles from both pregnant whales showed sustained high progesterone content (>350 ng/g) in areas corresponding to known pregnancies, inferred from calf sightings and post-mortem data. The younger female, estimated to be 13 years old, had higher progesterone during pregnancy than the 44.5 year old, but levels during non-pregnancy were similar. The nulliparous female and the male had low progesterone throughout their baleen plates. Baleen hormone analysis can determine how progesterone concentrations change throughout gestation and has potential for estimating age at first reproduction, pregnancy intervals, failed pregnancies and early calf mortality. Understanding rates of calving and current and historic reproductive patterns in humpbacks is vital to continuing conservation measures in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carley L Lowe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona
University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
| | - Kathleen E Hunt
- Department of Biology, George Mason University and
Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, Front Royal, VA 22630,
USA
| | - Matthew C Rogers
- Alaska Fisheries Science Center Auke Bay Laboratories, NOAA,
National Marine Fisheries Service, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
| | - Janet L Neilson
- Humpback Whale Monitoring Program, Glacier Bay National Park
and Preserve, Gustavus, AK 99826, USA
| | - Jooke Robbins
- Center for Coastal Studies, Provincetown, MA
02657, USA
| | - Christine M Gabriele
- Humpback Whale Monitoring Program, Glacier Bay National Park
and Preserve, Gustavus, AK 99826, USA
| | | | | | - C Loren Buck
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona
University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
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Chenoweth EM, Boswell KM, Friedlaender AS, McPhee MV, Burrows JA, Heintz RA, Straley JM. Confronting assumptions about prey selection by lunge‐feeding whales using a process‐based model. Funct Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M. Chenoweth
- University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks AK USA
- University of Alaska Southeast Sitka AK USA
| | | | - Ari S. Friedlaender
- University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz CA USA
- Oregon State University Newport OR USA
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10
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Wray J, Keen E, O’Mahony ÉN. Social survival: Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) use social structure to partition ecological niches within proposed critical habitat. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245409. [PMID: 34161375 PMCID: PMC8221492 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal culture and social bonds are relevant to wildlife conservation because they influence patterns of geography, behavior, and strategies of survival. Numerous examples of socially-driven habitat partitioning and ecological-niche specialization can be found among vertebrates, including toothed whales. But such social-ecological dynamics, described here as ‘social niche partitioning’, are not known among baleen whales, whose societies—particularly on foraging grounds—are largely perceived as unstructured and incidental to matters of habitat use and conservation. However, through 16 years of behavioral observations and photo-identifications of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) feeding within a fjord system in the Canadian Pacific (primarily within Gitga’at First Nation waters), we have documented long-term pair bonds (up to 12 years) as well as a complex societal structure, which corresponds closely to persistent patterns in feeding strategy, long-term site fidelity (extended occupancy and annual rate of return up to 75%), specific geographic preferences within the fjord system, and other forms of habitat use. Randomization tests of network congruency and clustering algorithms were used to test for overlap in patterns of social structure and habitat use, which confirmed the occurrence of social niche partitioning on the feeding grounds of this baleen whale species. In addition, we document the extensive practice of group bubble net feeding in Pacific Canada. This coordinated feeding behavior was found to strongly mediate the social structure and habitat use within this humpback whale society. Additionally, during our 2004–2019 study, we observed a shift in social network structure in 2010–2012, which corresponded with environmental and demographic shifts including a sudden decline in the population’s calving rate. Our findings indicate that the social lives of humpback whales, and perhaps baleen whales generally, are more complex than previously supposed and should be a primary consideration in the assessment of potential impacts to important habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janie Wray
- North Coast Cetacean Society, Alert Bay, British Columbia, Canada
- Pacific Orca Society, Alert Bay, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Eric Keen
- North Coast Cetacean Society, Alert Bay, British Columbia, Canada
- Marine Ecology & Telemetry Research, Seabeck, Washington, United States of America
- Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Éadin N. O’Mahony
- North Coast Cetacean Society, Alert Bay, British Columbia, Canada
- Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, East Sands, St Andrews, United Kingdom
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11
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Cates KA, Atkinson S, Pack AA, Straley JM, Gabriele CM, Yin S. Corticosterone in central North Pacific male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae): Pairing sighting histories with endocrine markers to assess stress. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 296:113540. [PMID: 32585212 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Developing a better understanding of the stress response is critical to ensuring the health and sustainability of marine mammal populations. However, accurately measuring and interpreting a stress response in free-ranging, large cetaceans is a nascent field. Here, an enzyme immunoassay for corticosterone was validated for use in biopsy samples from male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Analyses were conducted on 247 male North Pacific humpback whale blubber samples, including 238 non-calves and 9 calves that were collected on the Hawaiian breeding and Southeast Alaskan feeding grounds from 2004 to 2006. Significant relationships were found when corticosterone concentrations were examined by year, age class and distribution between locations. When examined by year, corticosterone concentrations for male humpback whales were higher in Hawaii in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006 (p < 0.05). Corticosterone concentration also varied by age class with initially high concentrations at birth which subsequently tapered off and remained relatively low until sexual maturity was reached around age 8-10 years. Corticosterone concentrations appeared to peak in male humpback whales around 15-25 years of age. Blubber biopsies from Alaska and Hawaii had similar mean corticosterone concentrations, yet the variability in these samples was much greater for whales located in Hawaii. It is clear that much work remains to be done in order to accurately define or monitor a stress response in male humpback whales and that specific attention is required when looking at age, sex, and yearly trends. Our results suggest that a stress response may be most impacted by age and yearly oceanographic conditions and needs to be initially examined at the individual level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A Cates
- University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Fisheries Department, Juneau Center, 17101 Pt. Lena Loop Road, Juneau, Alaska 99801, USA.
| | - Shannon Atkinson
- University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Fisheries Department, Juneau Center, 17101 Pt. Lena Loop Road, Juneau, Alaska 99801, USA
| | - Adam A Pack
- Departments of Psychology and Biology, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 West Kawili Street, Hilo, Hawai'i 96720, USA; The Dolphin Institute, P.O. Box 6279, Hilo, Hawai'i 96720, USA
| | - Janice M Straley
- University of Alaska Southeast Sitka Campus, 1332 Seward Ave., Sitka, Alaska 99835, USA
| | | | - Suzanne Yin
- Hawai'i Marine Mammal Consortium, P.O. Box 6107, Kamuela, Hawai'i 96743, USA
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12
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Dalle Luche G, Boggs ASP, Kucklick JR, Groß J, Hawker DW, Bengtson Nash S. Androstenedione and testosterone but not progesterone are potential biomarkers of pregnancy in Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) approaching parturition. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2954. [PMID: 32075989 PMCID: PMC7031522 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58933-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The blubber steroid hormone profiles of 52 female humpback whales migrating along the east coast of Australia were investigated for seasonal endocrine changes associated with reproduction. Individuals were randomly sampled during two stages of the annual migration: before reaching the breeding grounds (northward migration; June/July), and after departing from the breeding grounds (southward migration; September/October). Assignment of reproductive status of the sampled individuals was based on season, single-hormone ranks and multi-variate analysis of the hormonal profiles. High concentrations of progesterone (>19 ng/g, wet weight), recognised as an indicator of pregnancy in this species, were only detected in one sample. However, the androgens, testosterone and androstenedione were measured in unusually high concentrations (1.6-12 and 7.8-40 ng/g wet weight, respectively) in 36% of the females approaching the breeding grounds. The absence of a strong accompanying progesterone signal in these animals raises the possibility of progesterone withdrawal prior to parturition. As seen with other cetacean species, testosterone and androstenedione could be markers of near-term pregnancy in humpback whales. Confirmation of these androgens as alternate biomarkers of near-term pregnancy would carry implications for improved monitoring of the annual fecundity of humpback whales via non-lethal and minimally invasive methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Dalle Luche
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia.
| | - Ashley S P Boggs
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, SC, 29412, USA
| | - John R Kucklick
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, SC, 29412, USA
| | - Jasmin Groß
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Darryl W Hawker
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Susan Bengtson Nash
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
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13
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Cates KA, Atkinson S, Gabriele CM, Pack AA, Straley JM, Yin S. Testosterone trends within and across seasons in male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) from Hawaii and Alaska. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 279:164-173. [PMID: 30904390 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Understanding reproductive profiles and timing of reproductive events is essential in the management and conservation of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Yet compared to other parameters and life history traits, such as abundance, migratory trends, reproductive rates, behavior and communication, relatively little is known about variations in reproductive physiology, especially in males. Here, an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for testosterone was validated for use in biopsy samples from male humpback whales. Analyses were conducted on 277 North Pacific male humpback whale blubber samples, including 268 non-calves and 9 calves that were collected in the Hawaiian breeding grounds and the Southeast Alaskan feeding grounds from 2004 to 2006. Testosterone concentrations (ng/g) were significantly different between non-calves sampled in Hawaii (n = 182) and Alaska (n = 86, p < 0.05) with peak testosterone concentrations occurring in the winter (January-March) and the lowest concentrations occurring in the summer (June-September). Fall and spring showed increasing and decreasing trends in testosterone concentrations, respectively. Blubber testosterone concentrations in non-calves and calves sampled in Alaska were not significantly different. Blubber and skin from the same individual biopsies (n = 37) were also compared, with blubber having significantly higher testosterone concentrations (p < 0.05) than skin samples. We found variability in testosterone concentration with age, suggesting that male humpbacks reach peak lifetime testosterone concentrations in the breeding grounds around age 8-25 years. The testosterone profile of male humpback whales follows a predictable pattern for capital breeders, where testosterone begins to increase prior to the breeding season, stimulating the onset of spermatogenesis. Incorporation of reproductive hormonal profiles into our overall understanding of humpback whale physiology will shed additional light on the timing of reproduction and overall health of the recently delisted Hawaii distinct population segment (DPS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A Cates
- University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Fisheries Department, Juneau Center, 17101 Pt. Lena Loop Road, Juneau, AK 99801, United States
| | - Shannon Atkinson
- University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Fisheries Department, Juneau Center, 17101 Pt. Lena Loop Road, Juneau, AK 99801, United States.
| | | | - Adam A Pack
- Departments of Psychology and Biology, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 West Kawili Street, Hilo, HI 96720, United States; The Dolphin Institute, P.O. Box 6279, Hilo, HI 96720, United States
| | - Janice M Straley
- University of Alaska Southeast Sitka Campus, 1332 Seward Ave., Sitka, AK 99835, United States
| | - Suzanne Yin
- Hawai'i Marine Mammal Consortium, P.O. Box 6107 Kamuela, HI 96743, United States
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14
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Williams PJ, Hooten MB, Esslinger GG, Womble JN, Bodkin JL, Bower MR. The rise of an apex predator following deglaciation. DIVERS DISTRIB 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Perry J. Williams
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental ScienceUniversity of Nevada Reno Nevada
| | - Mevin B. Hooten
- Department of Statistics Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado
- U.S. Geological Survey Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado
| | | | - Jamie N. Womble
- National Park Service Southeast Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network Juneau Alaska
- National Park Service Glacier Bay Field Station Juneau AK
| | - James L. Bodkin
- U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center Anchorage Alaska
| | - Michael R. Bower
- National Park Service Southeast Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network Juneau Alaska
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15
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Cartwright R, Venema A, Hernandez V, Wyels C, Cesere J, Cesere D. Fluctuating reproductive rates in Hawaii's humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, reflect recent climate anomalies in the North Pacific. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 6:181463. [PMID: 31032006 PMCID: PMC6458358 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.181463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Alongside changing ocean temperatures and ocean chemistry, anthropogenic climate change is now impacting the fundamental processes that support marine systems. However, where natural climate aberrations mask or amplify the impacts of anthropogenic climate change, identifying key detrimental changes is challenging. In these situations, long-term, systematic field studies allow the consequences of anthropogenically driven climate change to be distinguished from the expected fluctuations in natural resources. In this study, we describe fluctuations in encounter rates for humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, between 2008 and 2018. Encounter rates were assessed during transect surveys of the Au'Au Channel, Maui, Hawaii. Initially, rates increased, tracking projected growth rates for this population segment. Rates reached a peak in 2013, then declined through 2018. Specifically, between 2013 and 2018, mother-calf encounter rates dropped by 76.5%, suggesting a rapid reduction in the reproductive rate of the newly designated Hawaii Distinct Population Segment of humpback whales during this time. As this decline coincided with changes in the Pacific decadal oscillation, the development of the NE Pacific marine heat wave and the evolution of the 2016 El Niño, this may be another example of the impact of this potent trifecta of climatic events within the North Pacific.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Cartwright
- The Keiki Kohola Project, Kihei, HI 96753, USA
- Department of Environmental Science and Resource Management, California State University Channel Islands, One University Drive, Camarillo, CA 93012, USA
| | - A. Venema
- The Keiki Kohola Project, Kihei, HI 96753, USA
| | | | - C. Wyels
- The Keiki Kohola Project, Kihei, HI 96753, USA
- Department of Mathematics, California State University Channel Islands, One University Drive, Camarillo, CA 93012, USA
| | - J. Cesere
- The Keiki Kohola Project, Kihei, HI 96753, USA
- Fine Art Photography, Paia, HI 96779, USA
| | - D. Cesere
- The Keiki Kohola Project, Kihei, HI 96753, USA
- Fine Art Photography, Paia, HI 96779, USA
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16
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Fournet MEH, Gabriele CM, Culp DC, Sharpe F, Mellinger DK, Klinck H. Some things never change: multi-decadal stability in humpback whale calling repertoire on Southeast Alaskan foraging grounds. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13186. [PMID: 30262835 PMCID: PMC6160409 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31527-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigating long term trends in acoustic communication is essential for understanding the role of sound in social species. Humpback whales are an acoustically plastic species known for producing rapidly-evolving song and a suite of non-song vocalizations (“calls”) containing some call types that exhibit short-term stability. By comparing the earliest known acoustic recordings of humpback whales in Southeast Alaska (from the 1970’s) with recordings collected in the 1990’s, 2000’s, and 2010’s, we investigated the long-term repertoire stability of calls on Southeast Alaskan foraging grounds. Of the sixteen previously described humpback whale call types produced in Southeast Alaska, twelve were detected in both 1976 and 2012, indicating stability over a 36-year time period; eight call types were present in all four decades and every call type was present in at least three decades. We conclude that the conservation of call types at this temporal scale is indicative of multi-generational persistence and confirms that acoustic communication in humpback whales is comprised of some highly stable call elements in strong contrast to ever-changing song.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle E H Fournet
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA. .,Alaska Whale Foundation, Petersburg, Alaska, USA. .,Cooperative Institute for Marine Resources Studies, Oregon State University and NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, Newport, Oregon, USA.
| | - Christine M Gabriele
- Humpback Whale Monitoring Program, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Gustavus, Alaska, USA
| | - David C Culp
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Fred Sharpe
- Alaska Whale Foundation, Petersburg, Alaska, USA
| | - David K Mellinger
- Cooperative Institute for Marine Resources Studies, Oregon State University and NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, Newport, Oregon, USA
| | - Holger Klinck
- Bioacoustics Research Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, USA
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17
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Pallin LJ, Baker CS, Steel D, Kellar NM, Robbins J, Johnston DW, Nowacek DP, Read AJ, Friedlaender AS. High pregnancy rates in humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae) around the Western Antarctic Peninsula, evidence of a rapidly growing population. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2018; 5:180017. [PMID: 29892441 PMCID: PMC5990787 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.180017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Antarctic humpback whales are recovering from near extirpation from commercial whaling. To understand the dynamics of this recovery and establish a baseline to monitor impacts of a rapidly changing environment, we investigated sex ratios and pregnancy rates of females within the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) feeding population. DNA profiling of 577 tissue samples (2010-2016) identified 239 males and 268 females. Blubber progesterone levels indicated 63.5% of the females biopsied were pregnant. This proportion varied significantly across years, from 36% in 2010 to 86% in 2014. A comparison of samples collected in summer versus fall showed significant increases in the proportion of females present (50% to 59%) and pregnant (59% to 72%), consistent with demographic variation in migratory timing. We also found evidence of annual reproduction among females; 54.5% of females accompanied by a calf were pregnant. These high pregnancy rates are consistent with a population recovering from past exploitation, but appear inconsistent with recent estimates of WAP humpback population growth. Thus, our results will help to better understand population growth potential and set a current baseline from which to determine the impact of climate change and variability on fecundity and reproductive rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan J. Pallin
- Fisheries and Wildlife Department, Marine Mammal Institute, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Coastal Biology Building, 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - C. Scott Baker
- Fisheries and Wildlife Department, Marine Mammal Institute, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365, USA
| | - Debbie Steel
- Fisheries and Wildlife Department, Marine Mammal Institute, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365, USA
| | - Nicholas M. Kellar
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jooke Robbins
- Center for Coastal Studies, 5 Holway Avenue, Provincetown, MA 02657, USA
| | - David W. Johnston
- Division of Marine Science and Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine Laboratory, 135 Duke Marine Lab Road, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
| | - Doug P. Nowacek
- Division of Marine Science and Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine Laboratory, 135 Duke Marine Lab Road, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
- Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Andrew J. Read
- Division of Marine Science and Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine Laboratory, 135 Duke Marine Lab Road, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
| | - Ari S. Friedlaender
- Fisheries and Wildlife Department, Marine Mammal Institute, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365, USA
- Institute for Marine Science and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
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18
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Ferguson JM, Hopkins JB, Witteveen BH. Integrating abundance and diet data to improve inferences of food web dynamics. Methods Ecol Evol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jake M. Ferguson
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology University of Minnesota St Paul MN USA
| | - John B. Hopkins
- School of Biodiversity Conservation Unity College Unity ME USA
- Division of Biological Sciences, Ecology, Behavior and Evolution Section University of California San Diego La Jolla CA USA
| | - Briana H. Witteveen
- School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program University of Alaska Fairbanks Kodiak AK USA
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19
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Pallin L, Robbins J, Kellar N, Bérubé M, Friedlaender A. Validation of a blubber-based endocrine pregnancy test for humpback whales. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 6:coy031. [PMID: 29942518 PMCID: PMC6009693 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coy031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Baleen whales have few identifiable external indicators of pregnancy state, making it challenging to study essential aspects of their biology and population dynamics. Pregnancy status in other marine mammals has been determined by measuring progesterone concentrations from a variety of sample matrices, but logistical constraints have limited such studies in free-swimming baleen whales. We use an extensive blubber sample archive and associated calving history data to retrospectively identify samples that correspond to pregnant females and develop a progesterone-based pregnancy test for humpback whales. The lowest pregnant blubber progesterone concentration was 54.97 ng g-1, and the mean for the known-pregnant group was 198.74 ± 180.65 ng g-1. Conversely, females known to be below the minimum age of sexual maturity (juvenile females) had an overall low mean progesterone concentration (0.59 ± 0.25 ng g-1), well below the known-pregnant range. Of the mature females that did not return with a calf (n = 11), three fell within the known-pregnant range (320.79 ± 209.34 ng g-1), while the levels for the remaining eight were two orders of magnitude below the lowest known-pregnant level (1.63 ± 1.15 ng g-1). The proportion of females that did not return with a calf but had values similar to known-pregnant females are consistent with rates of calf mortality, but other potential explanations were considered. Our findings support a validated blubber endocrine assignment of pregnancy corroborated with field life history information, a first for any baleen whale species. The progesterone values we measured were similar to those found in different pregnancy states of other cetaceans and support using blubber biopsy samples for assigning pregnancy in humpback whales. This method can be applied to existing archives or new samples to better study life history and population demography broadly across species and populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan Pallin
- Fisheries and Wildlife Department, Marine Mammal Institute, Hatfield Marine Science Station, Oregon State University, Newport, OR 97365, USA
- Corresponding author: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Coastal Biology Building, 130 McAllister Way, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA. Tel: +(218) 591-0615.
| | - Jooke Robbins
- Center for Coastal Studies, 5 Holway Avenue, Provincetown, MA 02657, USA
| | - Nicholas Kellar
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Martine Bérubé
- Center for Coastal Studies, 5 Holway Avenue, Provincetown, MA 02657, USA
- Groningen Institute of Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ari Friedlaender
- Fisheries and Wildlife Department, Marine Mammal Institute, Hatfield Marine Science Station, Oregon State University, Newport, OR 97365, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Marine Science, University of California Santa Cruz, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
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20
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Chenoweth EM, Straley JM, McPhee MV, Atkinson S, Reifenstuhl S. Humpback whales feed on hatchery-released juvenile salmon. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:170180. [PMID: 28791145 PMCID: PMC5541540 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Humpback whales are remarkable for the behavioural plasticity of their feeding tactics and the diversity of their diets. Within the last decade at hatchery release sites in Southeast Alaska, humpback whales have begun exploiting juvenile salmon, a previously undocumented prey. The anthropogenic source of these salmon and their important contribution to local fisheries makes the emergence of humpback whale predation a concern for the Southeast Alaska economy. Here, we describe the frequency of observing humpback whales, examine the role of temporal and spatial variables affecting the probability of sighting humpback whales and describe prey capture behaviours at five hatchery release sites. We coordinated twice-daily 15 min observations during the spring release seasons 2010-2015. Using logistic regression, we determined that the probability of occurrence of humpback whales increased after releases began and decreased after releases concluded. The probability of whale occurrence varied among release sites but did not increase significantly over the 6 year study period. Whales were reported to be feeding on juvenile chum, Chinook and coho salmon, with photographic and video records of whales feeding on coho salmon. The ability to adapt to new prey sources may be key to sustaining their population in a changing ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M. Chenoweth
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
| | - Janice M. Straley
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Alaska Southeast, Sitka, AK 99835, USA
| | - Megan V. McPhee
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
| | - Shannon Atkinson
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
| | - Steve Reifenstuhl
- Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association, Sitka, AK 99835, USA
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21
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Mann J, Karniski C. Diving beneath the surface: long-term studies of dolphins and whales. J Mammal 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyx036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Janet Mann
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, NW, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Caitlin Karniski
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, NW, Washington, DC, USA
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