A Reconsideration of Aspects of Growth, Reproduction, and Behavior of the White Whale (<i>Delphinapterus leucas</i>), with Reference to the Cumberland Sound, Baffin Island, Population

Brodie, Paul F.

doi:10.1139/f71-198

Cited by 124 publications

(172 citation statements)

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“…Standard length ASM, 1961 was measured to the nearest 5 cm and sex was determined by examining the genitals. Based on body size and skin colour, all animals sampled during this study Ž were classified as adults see Brodie, 1971; . Ž .…”

Section: Study Area and Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concentrations and patterns of organochlorine contaminants in white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from Svalbard, Norway

Andersen

Kovacs

Lydersen

et al. 2001

Science of The Total Environment

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Ž. Blubber was collected from live-captured, adult male white whales Delphinapterus leucas from Svalbard, Norway, Ž . and analysed for levels and patterns of organochlorine OC contaminants. The OC compounds analysed were HCB, Ž . Ž dieldrin, ⌺HCH ␣-HCH, ␤-HCH and ␥-HCH , ⌺Chl heptachlor epoxide, oxychlordane, cis-chlordane, trans-non-. Ž . Ž . achlor, and cis-nonachlor , ⌺DDT ppЈ-DDT, ppЈ-DDE and ppЈ-DDD and ⌺PCB 27 PCB congeners . The major Ž . Ž . OC compounds detected in the blubber were ⌺PCB 5103 " 1874 ngrg l.w. and ⌺DDT 5108 " 1089 ngrg l.w. , Ž . which made up 70% of the ⌺OC. These compounds were followed in prevalence by ⌺Chl 2872 " 1177 ngrg l.w. , which contributed 20% of the ⌺OC burden. ⌺HCH, HCB and dieldrin were present, but at low concentrations. This OC pattern is typical of top predators in Arctic marine food chains. OC levels in white whales from Svalbard are lower than white whales from the St Lawrence River in Canada and are generally similar to values reported previously for other Arctic white whale stocks. Some geographic patterns in relative prevalence of various OC compounds appear to be quite consistent among various marine mammal species in the Arctic. PCB and DDT concentrations in Svalbard's white whales are below the levels that are thought to have negative effects on reproduction or the immune system. ᮊ

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Section: Study Area and Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concentrations and patterns of organochlorine contaminants in white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from Svalbard, Norway

Andersen

Kovacs

Lydersen

et al. 2001

Science of The Total Environment

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“…This would suggest mating occurs in early spring. In autumn, beluga whale populations migrate toward a few common wintering grounds in Bering Sea offshore waters characterized by unconsolidated pack ice where mating is believed to occur during late winter or early spring (Brodie, 1971;Sergeant, 1973;Brown Gladden et al, 1997).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Socio-sexual and probable mating behavior of Cook Inlet beluga whales, Delphinapterus leucas, observed from an aircraft

Lomac-MacNair¹,

Smultea²,

Cotter³

et al. 2016

MFR

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“…Despite the continued reliance on this species, little information has been collected concerning their basic reproductive physiology. For the most part, existing information has been derived from observation of wild stocks or post-mortem analysis of animals collected during native harvests [Brodie, 1971;Braham, 1984;Burns and Seaman, 1986;Doidge, 1990;Heide-Jrgensen, 1990;Heide-Jrgensen and Teilmann, 1994;Hier and Heide-Jrgensen, 1994]. Assuming accurate methods exist for aging the animals harvested [Clark et al, 2000], and despite access restricted by season, this type of data has been used to document certain biological functions including reproductive seasonality, growth, and development.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproduction, Growth and Development in Captive Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas)

Robeck¹,

Monfort²,

Calle³

et al. 2005

Zoo Biology

108

122

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Recent success propagating captive beluga has resulted from combined efforts by North American zoos and aquariums to manage disparate collections as a single population. This success has provided a tremendous opportunity to increase our understanding of beluga reproductive biology. Blood samples were collected on a weekly to biweekly basis from 23 female and 12 male beluga, ranging in age from 2-15 years, for analysis of serum progesterone (P) and testosterone (T), respectively. Peri-parturient observational data, including food intake, duration and signs of labor, and nursing patterns were collected from 15 days prepartum to 30 days postpartum during 21 births. Total body lengths and weights were collected from 10 captive-born beluga. For female beluga, the mean (7SD) age, body length, and weight at first conceptions were 9.172.8 years, 318.079.1 cm, and 519784 kg. Thirty-five luteal phases and 13 conceptions were detected from January-June, and 70% of luteal phases and 80% conceptions occurred from March-May. The mean luteal phase and total estrous cycle lengths were 30.076.5 days and 48.074.6 days, respectively. For male beluga, the mean age that males sired their first calf was 13.372.6 years. Compared to younger males (o8 years of age, 0.95 ng/ml), levels of T secretion in older males (48 years of age, 5.0 ng/ml) were elevated significantly only during the interval from January-April. Highest T concentrations (6.274.9 ng/ml) were recorded from January-March, whereas nadir concentrations (1.171.0 ng/ml) were detected from August-September. The mean gestation length was 475.0720.4 days (n ¼ 9). For parturition, the mean time from the first appearance of fluke or rostrum to delivery, delivery to placental passage, and delivery to nursing were 4.472.9 hr, 7.671.8 hr, and 43745 hr, respectively. All cows had decreased food intake on the day of delivery, with 44% having zero intake. Peak 24-hr nursing activity occurred 3.972.7 days post-partum. Growth (i.e., body weight and length) as a function of age were well described by the Gompertz model (r 2 ¼ 0.91, 0.93). Based on the model, growth in body weight and length were significantly greater in males compared to females. Predicted birth weight (88.9 kg) was similar for both sexes, however, and male calves were predicted to be shorter (154.3 cm) than female calves (160.7 cm). The results provide the first descriptions of captive beluga reproductive physiology, including endocrinology, peri-parturient behavior, growth, and reproductive maturity. This knowledge is important for helping to maintain genetically diverse, self-sustaining populations of captive beluga whales.

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A Reconsideration of Aspects of Growth, Reproduction, and Behavior of the White Whale (Delphinapterus leucas), with Reference to the Cumberland Sound, Baffin Island, Population

Cited by 124 publications

References 0 publications

Concentrations and patterns of organochlorine contaminants in white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from Svalbard, Norway

Concentrations and patterns of organochlorine contaminants in white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from Svalbard, Norway

Socio-sexual and probable mating behavior of Cook Inlet beluga whales, Delphinapterus leucas, observed from an aircraft

Reproduction, Growth and Development in Captive Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas)

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