Group size and activity patterns of belugas ( Delphinapterus leucas ) and narwhals ( Monodon monoceros ) during spring migration in Lancaster Sound

Aerial surveys of belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) and narwhals (Monodon monoceros) were conducted in Lancaster Sound and northern Admiralty Inlet, N.W.T., during spring migration in 1987. Interspecific differences in grouping patterns and associated behaviour were observed. Group size and behaviour...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Zoology
Main Authors: Cosens, Susan E., Dueck, Larry P.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1991
Subjects:
Animal Science and Zoology
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Lancaster Sound
Admiralty Inlet
Beluga*
Delphinapterus leucas
Monodon monoceros
narwhal*
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z91-227
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z91-227
Description
Summary:Aerial surveys of belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) and narwhals (Monodon monoceros) were conducted in Lancaster Sound and northern Admiralty Inlet, N.W.T., during spring migration in 1987. Interspecific differences in grouping patterns and associated behaviour were observed. Group size and behaviour varied with ice type and state of breakup but patterns of variation differed between species. Behaviour of narwhals but not of belugas varied significantly with group size. Variation in group size and activity suggests that aggregation patterns are not related to predator avoidance strategies. Additional data are needed to test hypotheses about grouping patterns and behaviour in relation to prey distribution.

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