Calving Intervals of Bowhead Whales Established Through Photographic Identifications

Rugh, David J.; Miller, Gary W.; Withrow, David E.; Koski, William R.

doi:10.2307/1382014

Cited by 26 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Smaller bodied marine mammals, like seals, operate on an annual cycle of fat storage growth and reproduction (Boyd 2000). In contrast, larger-bodied whales operate on a 3 to 5 yr cycle of reproduction (Rugh et al 1992, Oftedal 1997. This discrepancy requires research into body mass growth (fat deposition) and successful calf rearing to appropriately discriminate differences related to species body size.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bowhead whale Balaena mysticetus seasonal selection of sea ice

Ferguson¹,

Dueck²,

Loseto³

et al. 2010

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Highly mobile large-bodied organisms are adapted to seasonal variation associated with polar environments. We used satellite tracking data from 27 bowhead whales Balaena mysticetus of the Eastern Canada-West Greenland population to test for movement and habitat selection of the highly variable sea ice landscape that encompasses near-complete coverage in winter to nearcomplete absence in summer. We demarcated 2 bowhead whale seasons based on movement behaviour identified from inflection points of polynomial regression analysis of movement rate: winter (28 December to 15 March, 16.6 ± 2.65 km d ). Resource selection functions were used to evaluate bowhead whale seasonal selection of sea ice landscape (coverage, thickness, and floe size). Movement and habitat use differed between Nunavut tagging sites likely as a consequence of sexual and reproductive segregation. Whales selected relatively low ice coverage, thin ice, and small floe areas in winter close to the maximum ice extent, presumably to reduce risk of ice entrapment while remaining within ice. In contrast, whales selected high ice coverage, thick ice, and large floe size areas in summer, presumably to reduce risk of killer whale predation while providing enriched feeding opportunities. Our results indicate that this largebodied animal can moderate use of the large-scale fluctuations in seasonal sea ice typical of polar environments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bowhead whale Balaena mysticetus seasonal selection of sea ice

Ferguson¹,

Dueck²,

Loseto³

et al. 2010

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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show abstract

“…), it does not mean that reproductive senescence does not occur. Nevertheless, given the delayed age at first reproduction (Schell and Saupe 1993), a three-to four-year calving interval (Rugh et al 1992;Koski et al 1993), and strong evidence of animals living over 100 years (George et al 1999), female reproduction past 60 years of age is not unlikely (George et al 1999). Therefore, the most likely generation time probably lies somewhere between 30 and 40 years, an average of the age at female sexual maturity and suspected age of female reproductive senescence.…”

Section: Mutation Rate Coalescence Time and Historical Female Effecmentioning

confidence: 99%

Historical Population Size Change of Bowhead Whales Inferred From Dna Sequence Polymorphism Data

2001

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Abstract. Nucleotide sequence data from the mitochondrial control region were used from a phylogenetic context to investigate the long-term history of a population of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus). In addition, the coalescence time of these sequences was used to estimate the age of the inferred patterns of population size change. The results indicate that mitochondrial genetic polymorphism was not affected by a recent bottleneck that occurred near the turn of the 20th century, thereby preserving the signature of historical population size change in the mitochondrial genome. Further analysis showed that this population underwent an expansion initiated in the Middle to Late Pleistocene. As such, early Holocene changes in Arctic sea ice distribution appear to have had little influence on patterns of genetic variability in this population.

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“…Lactation lasts about a year (Nerini et al, 1984). Birth intervals may be highly variable (4 -7 years), and calving may occur in cycles related to climatic oscillations (Rugh et al, 1992). The anestrus period may be correlated with the strength of Calanus copepod production, as it appears to be in northern right whales (Balaena glacialis; Kenney, 1997Kenney, , 1998.…”

Section: Reproductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural History and Conservation of the Greenland Whale, or Bowhead, in the Northwest Atlantic

Finley¹

2001

ARCTIC

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ABSTRACT. One of the longest-living mammals, the Greenland whale or bowhead (Balaena mysticetus) is specialized to filter small crustaceans, especially Calanus copepods, from barren Arctic seas. Brought to near extinction by commercial whaling, the North Atlantic 'meta-population' remains at less than 5% of its former abundance, and none of its three constituent stocks has shown demonstrable recovery during the last century. Two of these stocks, the Baffin Bay and Hudson Bay populations, occur in coastal waters of the Eastern Canadian Arctic during summer. Each of these two stocks numbers in the low hundreds and exists in isolated groups segregated by age and sex, showing strong fidelity to essential habitats. A skewed age distribution, predation by killer whales (Orcinus orca), hunting, net entanglement, tourism, climate change, habitat loss, and inbreeding suppression are some of the factors that may affect the bowhead's recovery. We need local and historical knowledge to understand the bowhead's natural history. Together with scientific data, such knowledge is also useful in evaluating the status of the species and prescribing a management plan. A recovery plan must employ the precautionary principle, both within the international 'meta-population' context and at the sub-population level; it must take a historical view and seek to protect abandoned habitats. Canada has conducted whaling activities that violate international agreements and diminish the effectiveness of the International Whaling Commission.Key words: Greenland whale, bowhead whale, Balaena mysticetus, biology, conservation, management, traditional knowledge RÉSUMÉ. La baleine boréale ou baleine franche (Balaena mysticetus), l'un des mammifères qui vit le plus longtemps, est spécialisée pour filtrer les petits crustacés, des copépodes Calanus pour la plupart, vivant dans les mers arctiques peu peuplées. Amenée au bord de l'extinction par la chasse commerciale à la baleine, la «métapopulation» de l'Atlantique Nord se maintient à moins de 5 p. cent de son abondance passée, et aucun des trois stocks qui la composent n'a montré un rétablissement ferme au cours du siècle dernier. Deux de ces stocks, la population de la baie de Baffin et celle de la baie d'Hudson, se trouvent en été dans les eaux côtières de l'Arctique canadien oriental. Chacun d'eux comprend quelques centaines d'individus, répartis en groupes isolés selon l'âge et le sexe, qui démontrent une fidélité marquée pour les habitats essentiels à leur survie. Une asymétrie de la distribution par âge, la prédation par les épaulards (Orcinus orca), la chasse, l'enchevêtrement dans les filets, le tourisme, le changement climatique, la perte d'habitat et la dépression consanguine sont au nombre des facteurs qui pourraient influencer le rétablissement de l'espèce. Le savoir local et le savoir historique sont tous deux nécessaires pour comprendre l'évolution naturelle de la baleine boréale. Couplés aux données scientifiques, ces savoirs sont en outre utiles dans l'évaluation de l'état de l'espèce ...

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Calving Intervals of Bowhead Whales Established Through Photographic Identifications

Cited by 26 publications

References 3 publications

Bowhead whale Balaena mysticetus seasonal selection of sea ice

Bowhead whale Balaena mysticetus seasonal selection of sea ice

Historical Population Size Change of Bowhead Whales Inferred From Dna Sequence Polymorphism Data

Natural History and Conservation of the Greenland Whale, or Bowhead, in the Northwest Atlantic

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