CLUSTER ANALYSIS OF GROUP TYPES IN SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE ( EUBALAENA AUSTRALIS )

A bstract Groups of Eubalaena australis in the Gulf of San Jose, Argentina were characterized and classified. A one‐zero sampling method was used for collecting data. A distance matrix was calculated with the 124 groups recorded and 10 characters including composition, size, activities, belly‐up and...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine Mammal Science
Main Authors: Cassini, Marcelo H., Vila, Bibiana L.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 1990
Subjects:
Aquatic Science
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Argentina
San Jose
Southern Right Whale
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-7692.1990.tb00222.x
https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1748-7692.1990.tb00222.x
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1748-7692.1990.tb00222.x
Description
Summary:A bstract Groups of Eubalaena australis in the Gulf of San Jose, Argentina were characterized and classified. A one‐zero sampling method was used for collecting data. A distance matrix was calculated with the 124 groups recorded and 10 characters including composition, size, activities, belly‐up and tail‐up positions, flipper and tail slaps, and breaching. Cluster analysis separated groups into 12 types. Six low‐interaction group types were differentiated primarily by their composition, and extent of swimming and resting behaviors. Six interaction group types were characterized by the presence of whales in the belly‐up position, by group size, by the absence of females with calves, and by sexual activity. Some interpretations of the possible functional meaning of the observed group types are discussed.

Similar Items