The social and ecological significance of Hervey Bay Queensland for eastern Australian humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae )

This study provides the first detailed long-term research on the seasonal pod characteristics, seasonal social behaviour and temporal segregation of different reproductive and maturational classes of humpback whales in Hervey Bay (Queensland, Australia). The overall aim was to investigate the import...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Franklin, Trish
Format: Thesis
Language:unknown
Published: ePublications@SCU 2012
Subjects:
humpback whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
Hervey Bay
Queensland
eastern Australia
pod size
pod composition
social behaviour
competitive groups
non-agonistic social behaviour
temporal segregation
migration
social organisation
photo-identification
Behavior and Ethology
Environmental Health and Protection
Environmental Monitoring
Environmental Sciences
Natural Resources and Conservation
Humpback Whale
Online Access:https://epubs.scu.edu.au/theses/357
https://epubs.scu.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1365&context=theses
Description
Summary:This study provides the first detailed long-term research on the seasonal pod characteristics, seasonal social behaviour and temporal segregation of different reproductive and maturational classes of humpback whales in Hervey Bay (Queensland, Australia). The overall aim was to investigate the importance of the Bay for particular classes of humpback whales. This study revealed that Hervey Bay is an important habitat for mature females accompanying immature whales early in the season and mothers with calves later in the season. Hervey Bay is neither a terminal destination nor a calving or breeding area but rather a stopover early in the southern migration.

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