Pectoral herding: an innovative tactic for humpback whale foraging
Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) have exceptionally long pectorals (i.e. flippers) that aid in shallow water navigation, rapid acceleration and increased manoeuvrability. The use of pectorals to herd or manipulate prey has been hypothesized since the 1930s. We combined new technology and a...
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crroyalsociety:10.1098/rsos.191104 2024-09-15T18:11:12+00:00 Pectoral herding: an innovative tactic for humpback whale foraging Kosma, Madison M. Werth, Alexander J. Szabo, Andrew R. Straley, Janice M. Alaska Whale Foundation Biomedical Learning and Student Training, University of Alaska Fairbanks Mark Kelley Photography Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Conservation Fund 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.191104 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.191104 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full-xml/10.1098/rsos.191104 en eng The Royal Society https://royalsociety.org/journals/ethics-policies/data-sharing-mining/ Royal Society Open Science volume 6, issue 10, page 191104 ISSN 2054-5703 journal-article 2019 crroyalsociety https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.191104 2024-08-26T04:20:53Z Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) have exceptionally long pectorals (i.e. flippers) that aid in shallow water navigation, rapid acceleration and increased manoeuvrability. The use of pectorals to herd or manipulate prey has been hypothesized since the 1930s. We combined new technology and a unique viewing platform to document the additional use of pectorals to aggregate prey during foraging events. Here, we provide a description of ‘pectoral herding’ and explore the conditions that may promote this innovative foraging behaviour. Specifically, we analysed aerial videos and photographic sequences to assess the function of pectorals during feeding events near salmon hatchery release sites in Southeast Alaska (2016–2018). We observed the use of solo bubble-nets to initially corral prey, followed by calculated movements to establish a secondary boundary with the pectorals—further condensing prey and increasing foraging efficiency. We found three ways in which humpback whales use pectorals to herd prey: (i) create a physical barrier to prevent evasion, (ii) cause water motion to guide prey towards the mouth, and (iii) position the ventral side to reflect light and alter prey movement. Our findings suggest that behavioural plasticity may aid foraging in changing environments and shifts in prey availability. Further study would clarify if ‘pectoral herding’ is used as a principal foraging tool by the broader humpback whale population and the conditions that promote its use. Article in Journal/Newspaper Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae Alaska The Royal Society Royal Society Open Science 6 10 191104 |
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Open Polar |
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The Royal Society |
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crroyalsociety |
language |
English |
description |
Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) have exceptionally long pectorals (i.e. flippers) that aid in shallow water navigation, rapid acceleration and increased manoeuvrability. The use of pectorals to herd or manipulate prey has been hypothesized since the 1930s. We combined new technology and a unique viewing platform to document the additional use of pectorals to aggregate prey during foraging events. Here, we provide a description of ‘pectoral herding’ and explore the conditions that may promote this innovative foraging behaviour. Specifically, we analysed aerial videos and photographic sequences to assess the function of pectorals during feeding events near salmon hatchery release sites in Southeast Alaska (2016–2018). We observed the use of solo bubble-nets to initially corral prey, followed by calculated movements to establish a secondary boundary with the pectorals—further condensing prey and increasing foraging efficiency. We found three ways in which humpback whales use pectorals to herd prey: (i) create a physical barrier to prevent evasion, (ii) cause water motion to guide prey towards the mouth, and (iii) position the ventral side to reflect light and alter prey movement. Our findings suggest that behavioural plasticity may aid foraging in changing environments and shifts in prey availability. Further study would clarify if ‘pectoral herding’ is used as a principal foraging tool by the broader humpback whale population and the conditions that promote its use. |
author2 |
Alaska Whale Foundation Biomedical Learning and Student Training, University of Alaska Fairbanks Mark Kelley Photography Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Conservation Fund |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Kosma, Madison M. Werth, Alexander J. Szabo, Andrew R. Straley, Janice M. |
spellingShingle |
Kosma, Madison M. Werth, Alexander J. Szabo, Andrew R. Straley, Janice M. Pectoral herding: an innovative tactic for humpback whale foraging |
author_facet |
Kosma, Madison M. Werth, Alexander J. Szabo, Andrew R. Straley, Janice M. |
author_sort |
Kosma, Madison M. |
title |
Pectoral herding: an innovative tactic for humpback whale foraging |
title_short |
Pectoral herding: an innovative tactic for humpback whale foraging |
title_full |
Pectoral herding: an innovative tactic for humpback whale foraging |
title_fullStr |
Pectoral herding: an innovative tactic for humpback whale foraging |
title_full_unstemmed |
Pectoral herding: an innovative tactic for humpback whale foraging |
title_sort |
pectoral herding: an innovative tactic for humpback whale foraging |
publisher |
The Royal Society |
publishDate |
2019 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.191104 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.191104 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full-xml/10.1098/rsos.191104 |
genre |
Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae Alaska |
genre_facet |
Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae Alaska |
op_source |
Royal Society Open Science volume 6, issue 10, page 191104 ISSN 2054-5703 |
op_rights |
https://royalsociety.org/journals/ethics-policies/data-sharing-mining/ |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.191104 |
container_title |
Royal Society Open Science |
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6 |
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10 |
container_start_page |
191104 |
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1810448794761822208 |