Observations on Three Species of Baleen Whales off Northern Newfoundland and Adjacent Waters

1977 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 1436-1440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Perkins ◽  
Hal Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Population Estimate ◽  
Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Sailing Boat ◽  
Water Depths

Minke, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, finback, Balaenoptera physalus, and humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, were observed off northern Newfoundland and southern Labrador between June and September 1975, principally from a sailing boat. Distributions for these species are recorded and correlated with water depths and distances from shore. Several isolated sounds, but no "songs," were recorded from humpback whales in Notre Dame Bay, where a population estimate was calculated based on a new method of photographic marking of individuals. Key words: baleen whales, geographical distribution, population size, photographic tagging

Net Entanglements of Baleen Whales in the Inshore Fishery of Newfoundland

1979 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 521-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Perkins ◽  
P. C. Beamish
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Newfoundland And Labrador ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Minke Whales ◽  
Capelin Mallotus Villosus ◽  
Inshore Waters

This paper documents net entrapments of baleen whales in the inshore waters of Newfoundland and Labrador. The species involved are principally minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Finback whales (Balaenoptera physalus) are also caught in nets but far less frequently. The timing of these entrapments corresponds with the spawning season for capelin (Mallotus villosus) on the beaches around the province. The magnitude and implications of this problem, both to the whales and the fisherman, are assessed. Key words: baleen whales, net entrapments, mortality assessment, capelin, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, B. physalus, Megaptera novaeangliae

Predicting Inshore Whale Abundance — Whales and Capelin off the Newfoundland Coast

1985 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 976-981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hal Whitehead ◽  
J. E. Carscadden
Keyword(s):  
Fishing Gear ◽  
Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Class Strength ◽  
Capelin Mallotus Villosus ◽  
Abiotic Variables ◽  
Northeast Coast

Inshore abundance of baleen whales along the Newfoundland coasts changed considerably during the period 1973–83. In particular, large numbers of humpbacks were present along the northeast coast each summer between 1977 and 1980. This influx led to entrapment of whales in fishing gear. Counts of humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), finback (Balaenoptera physalus), and minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) whales during standard surveys along the coast are used as indices of inshore abundance, and are related to the year-class strengths of capelin (Mallotus villosus), their major food in the Newfoundland region. Whales are found inshore when there are few immature capelin offshore. Minke whale distributions seem more closely related to the abundance of 1- to 2-yr-old, immature capelin, but humpback and finback whales are found inshore with low abundances of 2- to 3-yr-old, mainly immature capelin. We suggest that estimates of capelin year-class strength predicted from abiotic variables can be used to predict inshore whale abundance, at least 1 yr in advance. The extreme influx of humpbacks of the late 1970s is unlikely to recur in the short term. The analysis suggests that finback populations in the area are declining.

Baleen whales and their prey in a coastal environment

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 1523-1530 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F. Piatt ◽  
David A. Methven ◽  
Alan E. Burger ◽  
Ruth L. McLagan ◽  
Vicki Mercer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Abundance Ratio ◽  
Coastal Environment ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽  
Mallotus Villosus ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Intermediate Depth ◽  
Capelin Mallotus Villosus

Patterns of abundance of humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), and minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) whales are described in relation to the abundance of their primary prey, capelin (Mallotus villosus), during 1982–1985 at Witless Bay, Newfoundland. The abundance ratio of the three whale species was 10:1:3.5, respectively. Abundance of all whale species was strongly correlated with abundance of capelin through each season and between years. Capelin abundance accounted for 63% of the variation in whale numbers in 1983 and 1984, while environmental parameters (e.g., water temperatures) accounted for little variance. The amount of capelin consumed by whales was small (< 2%) compared with the amount available. All three species overlapped temporally at Witless Bay, but spatial overlap was reduced as fins occurred primarily offshore, minkes primarily inshore, and humpbacks in bay habitats of intermediate depth.

scholarly journals Multiple Levels of Single-Strand Slippage at Cetacean Tri- and Tetranucleotide Repeat Microsatellite Loci

Genetics ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 151 (1) ◽  
pp. 285-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Per J Palsbøll ◽  
Martine Bérubé ◽  
Hanne Jørgensen
Keyword(s):  
Microsatellite Loci ◽  
Relative Rate ◽  
Logical Consequence ◽  
Single Strand ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Tetranucleotide Repeat ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Repeat Array ◽  
Multiple Levels

Abstract Between three and six tri- and tetranucleotide repeat microsatellite loci were analyzed in 3720 samples collected from four different species of baleen whales. Ten of the 18 species/locus combinations had imperfect allele arrays, i.e., some alleles differed in length by other than simple integer multiples of the basic repeat length. The estimate of the average number of alleles and heterozygosity was higher at loci with imperfect allele arrays relative to those with perfect allele arrays. Nucleotide sequences of 23 different alleles at one tetranucleotide repeat microsatellite locus in fin whales, Balaenoptera physalus, and humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, revealed sequence changes including perfect repeats only, multiple repeats, and partial repeats. The relative rate of the latter two categories of mutation was estimated at 0.024 of the mutation rate involving perfect repeats only. It is hypothesized that single-strand slippage of partial repeats may provide a mechanism for counteracting the continuous expansion of microsatellite loci, which is the logical consequence of recent reports demonstrating directional mutations. Partial-repeat mutations introduce imperfections in the repeat array, which subsequently could reduce the rate of single-strand slippage. Limited computer simulations confirmed this predicted effect of partial-repeat mutations.

Distribuição geográfica de Aphanodictyon papillatum Huneycutt ex Dick (Saprolegniales) no Brasil. Geographical distribution of the Aphanodictyon papillatum Huneycutt ex Dick (Saprolegniales) in the Brazil

2010 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 171-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
José de Ribamar De Sousa Rocha ◽  
Edílson Páscoa Rodrigues ◽  
Hamanda Soares Viana Pereira da Silva ◽  
Lidiane Martins Alves de Sousa ◽  
Brenda Skally Viera Barros
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Zoosporic Fungi

Geographical distribution of the Aphanodictyon papillatum Huneycutt ex Dick (Saprolegniales) in the Brazil. Palavras-chave. Aphanodictyon papillatum, Brasil, fungo zoospórico. Key words. Aphanodictyon papillatum, Brazil, zoosporic fungi.

Corneal anatomy of marine mammals

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 2282-2290 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Pardue ◽  
J. G. Sivak ◽  
K. M. Kovacs
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Equatorial Region ◽  
Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽  
Marine Habitat ◽  
Corneal Surface ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Phoca Groenlandica ◽  
Minke Whales ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Ultrathin Sections

The corneal anatomy of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), harp seals (Phoca groenlandica), ringed seals (Phoca hispida), and bearded seals (Eriganthus barbatus) was examined to determine if marine mammals have evolved specialized corneas for life in a marine habitat. One to seven eyes of each species were analyzed: paraffin sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin for light microscopy; and ultrathin sections for transmission electron microscopy. All corneas contain the five typical mammalian layers: epithelium, Bowman's layer, stroma, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium. The corneas of these marine mammals are thicker than human corneas because of a thicker stromal layer. The other layers are thinner than those found in humans, except for the epithelial layer in the bearded seal and the cetaceans where it may provide extra protection for the eye during feeding behaviour. The epithelial cells in all corneas studied have an abundance of tonofilaments, which may strengthen the cells and distribute force across the corneal surface. No special organization of collagen fibrils was found in the stroma that would offer protection from ultraviolet radiation or glare for pinnipeds when on ice. The thickness of the sclera in the cetaceans may serve to hold the inner globe of the eye in an elliptical shape, while the thinning of the sclera in the equatorial region in pinnipeds may flatten the eye in air to reduce aerial myopia.

Predation by Sharks on the Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) in Eastern Canada

1983 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Brodie ◽  
Brian Beck
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Halichoerus Grypus ◽  
Longline Fishery ◽  
Grey Seal ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
The Past ◽  
Harbour Seals ◽  
Commercially Important ◽  
Important Fish

The increase in population size of the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) off eastern Canada over the past 20 yr may be attributed to a decrease in shark stocks, their supposed predators. Reduction of the shark population is presumed to have resulted from a directed longline fishery and, of greater significance, from a change in the fishery for swordfish (Xiphias gladius) from selective harpooning to pelagic longlining, which has produced a large bycatch of sharks. The resulting enhanced survival of grey seals is reflected in greater infestation of commercially important fish species by the codworm (Phocanema decipiens).Key words: grey seals, harbour seals, sharks, swordfish, codworm, predation, fisheries

scholarly journals Cetacean records along a coastal-offshore gradient in the Vitória-Trindade Chain, western South Atlantic Ocean

2014 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
LL Wedekin ◽  
MR Rossi-Santos ◽  
C Baracho ◽  
AL Cypriano-Souza ◽  
PC Simões-Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Humpback Whale ◽  
South Atlantic ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Balaenoptera Physalus ◽  
Fin Whale ◽  
Antarctic Minke Whale ◽  
Trindade Island ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Species Being

Oceanic waters are difficult to assess, and there are many gaps in knowledge regarding cetacean occurrence. To fill some of these gaps, this article provides important cetacean records obtained in the winter of 2010 during a dedicated expedition to collect visual and acoustic information in the Vitória-Trindade seamounts. We observed 19 groups of cetaceans along a 1300-km search trajectory, with six species being identified: the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae, N = 9 groups), the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus, N = 1), the Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis, N = 1), the rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis, N = 1), the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus, N = 2), and the killer whale (Orcinus orca, N = 1). Most humpback whale groups (N = 7; 78%) were observed in the Vitória-Trindade seamounts, especially the mounts close to the Abrolhos Bank. Only one lone humpback whale was observed near Trindade Island after a search effort encompassing more than 520 km. From a total of 28 acoustic stations, humpback whale songs were only detected near the seamounts close to the Abrolhos Bank, where most groups of this species were visually detected (including a competitive group and groups with calves). The presence of humpback whales at the Trindade Island and surroundings is most likely occasional, with few sightings and low density. Finally, we observed a significant number of humpback whales along the seamounts close to the Abrolhos Bank, which may function as a breeding habitat for this species. We also added important records regarding the occurrence of cetaceans in these mounts and in the Western South Atlantic, including the endangered fin whale.

scholarly journals A taxonomic revision of the genus Cleome L. (Capparaceae) in Bangladesh

1970 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-36
Author(s):  
Hosne Ara ◽  
Bushra Khan ◽  
Md. Mansur-ul-Kadir Mia
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Number ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
Plant Taxon

The available record of the genus Cleome L. for Bangladesh has been updated in this paper and includes C. diffusa, C. gynandra, C. hassleriana, C. rutidosperma and C. viscosa. The updating has been done in case of nomenclature with important synonyms, local names, description of the taxa along with illustrations, flowering and fruiting times, ecological notes, specimens examined and their geographical distribution. For identification of the species, a dichotomous bracketed key has been added in this paper. Information on chromosome number and economic importance have also been provided where available. Key words: Cleome, Taxonomic revision, Capparaceae, Bangladesh DOI: 10.3329/bjpt.v14i1.520 Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 14(1): 25-36, 2007 (June)

scholarly journals Taxonomic revision of the genus Morinda L. (Rubiaceae) in Bangladesh

1970 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sujit C Das ◽  
M Atiqur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
New Record ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Vernacular Names

The genus Morinda L. (Rubiaceae) has been revised for its species diversity in the flora of Bangladesh. The genus is represented by five species, viz., M. angustifolia Roxb., M. citrifolia L., M. persicaefolia Ham., M. pubescens Smith and M. umbellata L. Of these, M. pubescens Smith is a new record for Bangladesh. A key to the species with vernacular names, descriptions, illustrations, photographs, ecology, uses, geographical distribution and status of occurrence in the flora is provided. Key words: Taxonomy; Morinda; Rubiaceae; Bangladesh DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v40i2.9766 Bangladesh J. Bot. 40(2): 113-120, 2011 (December)

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document