The Structure of the Reproductive Gathering of Beluga Whales, Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas, 1776), off Solovetsky Island (White Sea) as Inferred from Results of Photo Identification in 2007–2013

Chernetsky, A. D.; Krasnova, V. V.

doi:10.1134/s1063074018050048

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…In belugas, because photo-ID has been used relatively rarely, there are few estimates of the proportion of marked whales. However, in an area of the White Sea, the proportion ranged from 13-47%, depending on the year, and was less than 30% in five of seven survey years (Chernetsky and Krasnova 2018). The relatively high rate (43%) of unique markings we found that are likely permanent given their size or location, and the number of resightings (24) over the three years of study in Cumberland Sound suggest this may be a viable method to monitor the population size using mark-recapture techniques.…”

Section: Page 12mentioning

confidence: 88%

Use of drones for the creation and development of a photographic identification catalogue for an endangered whale population

Ryan

Ferguson

Koski³

et al. 2022

Arctic Science

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Photographic identification is increasingly being used as a cost-effective and minimally invasive method to monitor species, which is of particular importance for endangered populations that are vulnerable to intrusive research methods. The purpose of our study was to collect photographs of an endangered population of beluga whales (<i>Delphinapterus leucas</i>) in Cumberland Sound, Nunavut, Canada, for use in photographic identification. Rather than pursuing the whales with boats to collect photographs, drones were used to minimize disturbance. We analyzed drone photographs from 2017-2019 for distinctive markings on the whales, which were used to develop a photographic identification catalogue. In total, 93 individuals were identified, with 24 resightings of marked individuals over the survey period. Approximately 43.4% (SE 3.3%) of the adult beluga population was uniquely marked. The beluga population has been harvested at a rate of 41 whales per year, not including struck and lost, since 2002. The markings were from unknown origins (61%), scars/wounds from gunshots (27%), anthropogenic or predatory given the size and severity (11%), or a satellite tag (1%). The continuation of the photographic identification program will allow for estimation of important population demographics, such as abundance and calving interval, which are important parameters for population conservation and management.

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Section: Page 12mentioning

confidence: 88%

Use of drones for the creation and development of a photographic identification catalogue for an endangered whale population

Ryan

Ferguson

Koski³

et al. 2022

Arctic Science

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“…The Solovetskiy gathering is composed of belugas of different ages, sex, and residence (Bеl'koviсh & Kirillova, 2000; Chernetskii et al, 2011; Chernetsky & Krasnova, 2018; Krasnova et al, 2012), and are likely to vary in their tolerance to the anthropogenic stress.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most often, the first groups of belugas appear in the middle of the ebb, reaching maximal numbers at low tide, and gradually decrease as the tide rises. The gathering predominately consists of females and their calves of different ages, and possibly several adult males (Bеl'koviсh & Kirillova, 2000; Chernetskii et al, 2011; Chernetsky & Krasnova, 2018). Belugas are sexually dimorphic: the adult males are larger and have better defined lateral musculature than the females (Smith, Hammil, & Martin, 1994).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The so‐called residents form a stable part of the gathering, returning after every winter, and tend to remain in the area all summer. The resident belugas were observed to return for 7 years (Chernetsky & Krasnova, 2018). The non‐resident individuals comprise a smaller portion of the aggregation, visiting the area near Cape Beluzhiy for a variable period of time, possibly depending on breeding or resting conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They might be moving throughout the whole White Sea area during the summer, although they are more likely to be located within Onega Bay. Indeed, several individuals are known to have visited different beluga gatherings (Solovetskiy and Myagostrovskiy) in the Onega Bay area (Chernetsky & Krasnova, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Influence of boat tourism on the behaviour of Solovetskiy beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Onega Bay, the White Sea

Krasnova

Prasolova

Belikov

et al. 2020

Aquatic Conservation

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1. The influence of boat tourism on the beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas in the White Sea, Russia, was studied based on regular observations of belugas near the Solovetskiy Islands from 1995 to 2015. 2. Changes in beluga behaviour, which were affected both by the distance between the boats and the whales and the character of boat activity (e.g. anchoring, drifting, or moving with the engine running) were observed. 3. Boats following the belugas caused the greatest impact on the whales. This negative reaction was observed throughout all periods of observations. 4. The results indicate the need to evaluate the potential long-term, cumulative anthropogenic impact on beluga behaviour and the development of appropriate mitigation measures.

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Possible occurrence of contact calls in all‐male groups of free‐ranging beluga whales

Panova

Agafonov

2023

Journal of Zoology

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Social toothed whales are known to produce specific vocalizations that may serve for individual or group recognition and maintaining cohesion among group members. In beluga whales Delphinapterus leucas, these vocalizations referred to as "contact calls" are relatively long duration, repeated stereotyped broadband sounds. Although these calls are thought to be critical in mother-calf communication, they are utilized by individuals of different ages and sex. We investigated possible occurrence of contact calls in all-male beluga groups from the White Sea, Russia. Among the vocalizations analyzed (n = 1169), a considerable proportion (58%) appeared to be potential contact calls. They were subjectively classified into 61 types of mostly complex broadband sounds combined with a narrow band element. The positive linear relationship (R 2 = 0.90) between the number of unique call types identified in the recordings and the number of belugas observed in the research area suggests that the calls serve as individual signatures. Belugas tended to produce these calls in a series, with the intercall intervals between the same and different call types mainly >1 s and <1 s, respectively. This suggests that vocal exchange by individually distinctive calls, like those of captive belugas and some other social species, might take place. The current study provides more insight into contact call usage in wild belugas and may serve as a basis for long-term monitoring of their seasonal occurrence, abundance, and site fidelity, as well as for investigating their social organization.

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The Structure of the Reproductive Gathering of Beluga Whales, Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas, 1776), off Solovetsky Island (White Sea) as Inferred from Results of Photo Identification in 2007–2013

Cited by 7 publications

References 14 publications

Use of drones for the creation and development of a photographic identification catalogue for an endangered whale population

Use of drones for the creation and development of a photographic identification catalogue for an endangered whale population

Influence of boat tourism on the behaviour of Solovetskiy beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Onega Bay, the White Sea

Possible occurrence of contact calls in all‐male groups of free‐ranging beluga whales

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