The seasonal movements and dynamics of migrating humpback whales off the east coast of Africa
Data collected during boat-based and aerial surveys were used to describe population structure, movements, temporal patterns of migration and skin condition of humpback whales in breeding sub-stock C1-S off southern Africa. Results confirmed that the migration route along the south coast of South Af...
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2013
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ftstandrewserep:oai:research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk:10023/4109 2023-07-02T03:31:46+02:00 The seasonal movements and dynamics of migrating humpback whales off the east coast of Africa Banks, Aaron M. Hammond, Philip S. Cockcroft, Vic Findlay, Ken P. Graves, Jeff 228 2013-10-22T08:49:41Z application/pdf http://hdl.handle.net/10023/4109 en eng University of St Andrews The University of St Andrews uk.bl.ethos.581832 http://hdl.handle.net/10023/4109 Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Population dynamics Africa Migration Photo identification Genetics Abundance Southern right whale Eubalaena australis Habitat use Skin lesions QL737.C424B2 Humpback whale--Migration--Indian Ocean Humpback whale--Africa East Humpback whale--Genetics Right whales--Africa Whale populations--Estimates--Africa Thesis Doctoral PhD Doctor of Philosophy 2013 ftstandrewserep 2023-06-13T18:28:48Z Data collected during boat-based and aerial surveys were used to describe population structure, movements, temporal patterns of migration and skin condition of humpback whales in breeding sub-stock C1-S off southern Africa. Results confirmed that the migration route along the south coast of South Africa is linked to the winter ground off Mozambique. A lack of exchange between breeding sub-stocks C1-N and C1-S was found, suggesting that these are independent of each other. Molecular analysis revealed unexpected levels of population structure between the migration route and the winter ground of C1-S, as well as the possibility that this migration route is also utilised by some individuals from breeding sub-stock C3. A skin condition of unknown aetiology that primarily affects humpback whale mother-calf pairs was identified. The first assessment of its prevalence and severity was made, providing a baseline for future monitoring. Humpback whale abundance in an inshore region of Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique was estimated and attempts were also made to use the limited information off Plettenberg Bay/Knysna, South Africa. In addition to improving our understanding of humpback whales from Breeding Stock C, knowledge about another baleen whale species utilising the southwest Indian Ocean was extended. The first evidence of southern right whale presence off the coast of Mozambique since the cessation of whaling was documented. It remains unknown whether this is a remnant sub-stock or the recovering South African sub-stock reoccupying its historical range. Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis baleen whale Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae Southern Right Whale University of St Andrews: Digital Research Repository Indian |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
University of St Andrews: Digital Research Repository |
op_collection_id |
ftstandrewserep |
language |
English |
topic |
Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Population dynamics Africa Migration Photo identification Genetics Abundance Southern right whale Eubalaena australis Habitat use Skin lesions QL737.C424B2 Humpback whale--Migration--Indian Ocean Humpback whale--Africa East Humpback whale--Genetics Right whales--Africa Whale populations--Estimates--Africa |
spellingShingle |
Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Population dynamics Africa Migration Photo identification Genetics Abundance Southern right whale Eubalaena australis Habitat use Skin lesions QL737.C424B2 Humpback whale--Migration--Indian Ocean Humpback whale--Africa East Humpback whale--Genetics Right whales--Africa Whale populations--Estimates--Africa Banks, Aaron M. The seasonal movements and dynamics of migrating humpback whales off the east coast of Africa |
topic_facet |
Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Population dynamics Africa Migration Photo identification Genetics Abundance Southern right whale Eubalaena australis Habitat use Skin lesions QL737.C424B2 Humpback whale--Migration--Indian Ocean Humpback whale--Africa East Humpback whale--Genetics Right whales--Africa Whale populations--Estimates--Africa |
description |
Data collected during boat-based and aerial surveys were used to describe population structure, movements, temporal patterns of migration and skin condition of humpback whales in breeding sub-stock C1-S off southern Africa. Results confirmed that the migration route along the south coast of South Africa is linked to the winter ground off Mozambique. A lack of exchange between breeding sub-stocks C1-N and C1-S was found, suggesting that these are independent of each other. Molecular analysis revealed unexpected levels of population structure between the migration route and the winter ground of C1-S, as well as the possibility that this migration route is also utilised by some individuals from breeding sub-stock C3. A skin condition of unknown aetiology that primarily affects humpback whale mother-calf pairs was identified. The first assessment of its prevalence and severity was made, providing a baseline for future monitoring. Humpback whale abundance in an inshore region of Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique was estimated and attempts were also made to use the limited information off Plettenberg Bay/Knysna, South Africa. In addition to improving our understanding of humpback whales from Breeding Stock C, knowledge about another baleen whale species utilising the southwest Indian Ocean was extended. The first evidence of southern right whale presence off the coast of Mozambique since the cessation of whaling was documented. It remains unknown whether this is a remnant sub-stock or the recovering South African sub-stock reoccupying its historical range. |
author2 |
Hammond, Philip S. Cockcroft, Vic Findlay, Ken P. Graves, Jeff |
format |
Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis |
author |
Banks, Aaron M. |
author_facet |
Banks, Aaron M. |
author_sort |
Banks, Aaron M. |
title |
The seasonal movements and dynamics of migrating humpback whales off the east coast of Africa |
title_short |
The seasonal movements and dynamics of migrating humpback whales off the east coast of Africa |
title_full |
The seasonal movements and dynamics of migrating humpback whales off the east coast of Africa |
title_fullStr |
The seasonal movements and dynamics of migrating humpback whales off the east coast of Africa |
title_full_unstemmed |
The seasonal movements and dynamics of migrating humpback whales off the east coast of Africa |
title_sort |
seasonal movements and dynamics of migrating humpback whales off the east coast of africa |
publisher |
University of St Andrews |
publishDate |
2013 |
url |
http://hdl.handle.net/10023/4109 |
op_coverage |
228 |
geographic |
Indian |
geographic_facet |
Indian |
genre |
baleen whale Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae Southern Right Whale |
genre_facet |
baleen whale Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae Southern Right Whale |
op_relation |
uk.bl.ethos.581832 http://hdl.handle.net/10023/4109 |
_version_ |
1770271175134412800 |