A new look at whale behavior: identifying multiple spatial movement patterns of Norwegian killer whales
Studying an animal’s movement patterns in both space and time can shed light on the strategies individuals use to optimize foraging and adapt to seasonal and environmental variation. Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are dynamic, apex predators inhabiting all the world’s oceans, predating and specializin...
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UiT Norges arktiske universitet
2021
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ftunivtroemsoe:oai:munin.uit.no:10037/21759 2023-05-15T17:03:41+02:00 A new look at whale behavior: identifying multiple spatial movement patterns of Norwegian killer whales Van Ruiten, Meghan 2021-05-25 https://hdl.handle.net/10037/21759 eng eng UiT Norges arktiske universitet UiT The Arctic University of Norway https://hdl.handle.net/10037/21759 Copyright 2021 The Author(s) VDP::Mathematics and natural science: 400::Zoology and botany: 480::Marine biology: 497 VDP::Matematikk og Naturvitenskap: 400::Zoologiske og botaniske fag: 480::Marinbiologi: 497 BIO-3950 Master thesis Mastergradsoppgave 2021 ftunivtroemsoe 2021-07-07T22:52:38Z Studying an animal’s movement patterns in both space and time can shed light on the strategies individuals use to optimize foraging and adapt to seasonal and environmental variation. Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are dynamic, apex predators inhabiting all the world’s oceans, predating and specializing on a wide variety of prey. Over the last decade, large numbers of Norwegian killer whales have been found feeding on high concentrations of over-wintering Norwegian spring-spawning (NSS) herring (Clupea harengus) in fjords of northern Norway, before often traveling to southern herring spawning grounds to continue their feeding. Smaller-scale movement patterns across habitats are less understood. This study classified Norwegian killer whale movement into five different movement modes based on satellite tracking data. To do this we used a behavioral change point analysis (BCPA) to select robust, homogeneous velocity-persistence states at intermediate scales and then modeled the net squared displacement (NSD) over time to differentiate movement patterns. The identified modes were residence/restricted area search, transiting/traveling, nomadic/wandering modes, as well as unique round trip and partial trip behavioral movements. Totally 95.4% of segments were classified into candidate movement modes. Collective whale movement showed consistent use of all classified behavioral movement modes across differing key herring associated areas suggesting the novel candidate modes proposed reflect strategies for optimal foraging. Individual variation in movement patterns suggests potential divergent foraging strategies among individuals or groups of Norwegian killer whales, and highlights the gaps in knowledge regarding the variation of smaller-scale search and dispersal movements in this species. Sequence analysis of behavioral modes reveals no clear patterns at intermediate spatiotemporal scales, suggesting environmental or prey field factors having more influence over movement decision making. This study can serve as a baseline for future comparative studies regarding fine-scale behaviors of Norwegian killer whales, as well as analyzing satellite tracking data of other marine animals. Master Thesis Killer Whale Northern Norway Orca Orcinus orca Killer whale University of Tromsø: Munin Open Research Archive Norway |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
University of Tromsø: Munin Open Research Archive |
op_collection_id |
ftunivtroemsoe |
language |
English |
topic |
VDP::Mathematics and natural science: 400::Zoology and botany: 480::Marine biology: 497 VDP::Matematikk og Naturvitenskap: 400::Zoologiske og botaniske fag: 480::Marinbiologi: 497 BIO-3950 |
spellingShingle |
VDP::Mathematics and natural science: 400::Zoology and botany: 480::Marine biology: 497 VDP::Matematikk og Naturvitenskap: 400::Zoologiske og botaniske fag: 480::Marinbiologi: 497 BIO-3950 Van Ruiten, Meghan A new look at whale behavior: identifying multiple spatial movement patterns of Norwegian killer whales |
topic_facet |
VDP::Mathematics and natural science: 400::Zoology and botany: 480::Marine biology: 497 VDP::Matematikk og Naturvitenskap: 400::Zoologiske og botaniske fag: 480::Marinbiologi: 497 BIO-3950 |
description |
Studying an animal’s movement patterns in both space and time can shed light on the strategies individuals use to optimize foraging and adapt to seasonal and environmental variation. Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are dynamic, apex predators inhabiting all the world’s oceans, predating and specializing on a wide variety of prey. Over the last decade, large numbers of Norwegian killer whales have been found feeding on high concentrations of over-wintering Norwegian spring-spawning (NSS) herring (Clupea harengus) in fjords of northern Norway, before often traveling to southern herring spawning grounds to continue their feeding. Smaller-scale movement patterns across habitats are less understood. This study classified Norwegian killer whale movement into five different movement modes based on satellite tracking data. To do this we used a behavioral change point analysis (BCPA) to select robust, homogeneous velocity-persistence states at intermediate scales and then modeled the net squared displacement (NSD) over time to differentiate movement patterns. The identified modes were residence/restricted area search, transiting/traveling, nomadic/wandering modes, as well as unique round trip and partial trip behavioral movements. Totally 95.4% of segments were classified into candidate movement modes. Collective whale movement showed consistent use of all classified behavioral movement modes across differing key herring associated areas suggesting the novel candidate modes proposed reflect strategies for optimal foraging. Individual variation in movement patterns suggests potential divergent foraging strategies among individuals or groups of Norwegian killer whales, and highlights the gaps in knowledge regarding the variation of smaller-scale search and dispersal movements in this species. Sequence analysis of behavioral modes reveals no clear patterns at intermediate spatiotemporal scales, suggesting environmental or prey field factors having more influence over movement decision making. This study can serve as a baseline for future comparative studies regarding fine-scale behaviors of Norwegian killer whales, as well as analyzing satellite tracking data of other marine animals. |
format |
Master Thesis |
author |
Van Ruiten, Meghan |
author_facet |
Van Ruiten, Meghan |
author_sort |
Van Ruiten, Meghan |
title |
A new look at whale behavior: identifying multiple spatial movement patterns of Norwegian killer whales |
title_short |
A new look at whale behavior: identifying multiple spatial movement patterns of Norwegian killer whales |
title_full |
A new look at whale behavior: identifying multiple spatial movement patterns of Norwegian killer whales |
title_fullStr |
A new look at whale behavior: identifying multiple spatial movement patterns of Norwegian killer whales |
title_full_unstemmed |
A new look at whale behavior: identifying multiple spatial movement patterns of Norwegian killer whales |
title_sort |
new look at whale behavior: identifying multiple spatial movement patterns of norwegian killer whales |
publisher |
UiT Norges arktiske universitet |
publishDate |
2021 |
url |
https://hdl.handle.net/10037/21759 |
geographic |
Norway |
geographic_facet |
Norway |
genre |
Killer Whale Northern Norway Orca Orcinus orca Killer whale |
genre_facet |
Killer Whale Northern Norway Orca Orcinus orca Killer whale |
op_relation |
https://hdl.handle.net/10037/21759 |
op_rights |
Copyright 2021 The Author(s) |
_version_ |
1766057594217037824 |