DOCSLIB.ORG

Delphinapterus Leucas) and Narwhal (Monodon Monoceros

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Delphinapterus Leucas) and Narwhal (Monodon Monoceros Linking Feeding and Reproductive Ecology in Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) and Narwhal (Monodon monoceros) by Tritsya C. Kelley A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of the University of Manitoba in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Environment and Geography University of Manitoba Winnipeg, MB © 2014 Abstract Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) and narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are arctic specialists. Both species show philopatry to their summer grounds, though the reason for this site tenacity is not well understood. Aside from migration routes, little is known about other aspects of monodontid ecology, such as their mating and feeding ecology. An understanding of the feeding ecology of a species may provide some insights into their mating ecology, and vice versa. The purpose of this thesis is to relative testes mass and dietary biomarkers to gain insights in the mating and feeding ecology of both species, as well as possible links between the two. Relative testes and brain masses and body masses of odontocetes were collected from the literature and analysed for correlations between sexual size dimorphism (SSD), relative brain mass, and relative testes mass. Results indicate that odontocete species follow a pattern of increasing SSD with decreasing testes mass. An examination of reproductive tracts from belugas and narwhal collected across the Canadian arctic was performed to examine differences in beluga and narwhal mating systems. Belugas were found to have larger relative testes masses, and narwhal testes masses were correlated with tusk length, indicating that sperm competition may play a larger role in the beluga mating system than for narwhal, and narwhal tusks may be honest indicators of male fitness. Investigations of narwhal and beluga feeding ecology using dietary biomarkers were conducted. In the summer, belugas appear to be congregating and feeding in the estuary plume during the summer, as opposed to along ice floe edges in the spring. Spring diets are ii representative of diets consumed during the beluga mating season, and no sexual segregation in carbon isotopes or fatty acids was apparent. There was no evidence for sexual segregation in feeding habits outside the mating season, either. Conversely, narwhal showed some evidence of sexual segregation outside the mating season, and the sexes may be feeding in different food webs. Results suggest that belugas may have a more promiscuous mating system, while narwhals are more polygynous. Implications for conservation for both species are discussed. iii Acknowledgements Thank you to my advisor, Dr. Steven Ferguson, for his support throughout my thesis, as well as his enthusiasm, motivation, and patience, and providing me with the opportunity to conduct research in the Arctic and climb mountains in South Africa. Thank you also to my committee members, Dr. David Walker and Dr. Kevin Campbell, for their insights, suggestions, and guidance. I am thankful to the many researchers, Inuit hunters, and lab partners that I have worked with over the course of my degree, for your invaluable assistance in the lab and in the field. Thank you to the many friends and family members for you encouragement and distractions throughout the years. I am especially grateful to my parents, for their love and support throughout my degrees and for not letting me give up. iv Table of Contents ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................. II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................... IV TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................. V LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................. VIII LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................................... X THESIS FORMAT AND CLAIM ................................................................................................. XI 1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 1 1.1 BELUGA AND NARWHAL BIOLOGY .............................................................................................. 1 1.2 CONSERVATION CONCERNS ..................................................................................................... 2 1.3 MATING SYSTEMS AND FEEDING ECOLOGY ................................................................................. 5 1.3.1 Environmental Influences on Mating Systems ............................................................ 6 1.3.2 Seasonality of Mating .................................................................................................. 9 1.3.3 Sexual Segregation .................................................................................................... 10 1.4 ESTIMATING MATING SYSTEM ............................................................................................... 10 1.5 USING DIETARY BIOMARKERS TO UNDERSTAND FEEDING ECOLOGY ............................................... 12 1.6 THESIS APPROACH AND OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................ 13 1.7 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 16 2 LARGE TESTES AND BRAIN MASSES IN ODONTOCETES: THE INFLUENCE OF MATING SYSTEM ON ENCEPHALIZATION ....................................................................... 30 2.1 ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................................... 31 2.2 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 33 2.3 METHODS .......................................................................................................................... 39 2.3.1 Data Collection ........................................................................................................... 39 2.3.2 Preliminary Analysis .................................................................................................. 40 2.3.3 Phylogenetic Analysis ................................................................................................ 41 2.4 RESULTS ............................................................................................................................ 41 2.4.1 Preliminary Analysis .................................................................................................. 41 2.4.2 Phylogenetic Analysis ................................................................................................ 42 2.5 DISCUSSION ........................................................................................................................ 42 2.6 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 50 3 MATING ECOLOGY OF BELUGA (DELPHINAPTERUS LEUCAS) AND NARWHAL (MONODON MONOCEROS) AS ESTIMATED BY REPRODUCTIVE TRACT METRICS ....................................... 62 3.1 ABSTRACT. ......................................................................................................................... 63 v 3.2 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 64 3.3 METHODS .......................................................................................................................... 69 3.3.1 Data Collection ........................................................................................................... 69 3.3.2 Reproductive Status ................................................................................................... 72 3.3.3 Mass ............................................................................................................................ 72 3.3.4 Statistical Analysis ..................................................................................................... 73 3.4 RESULTS ............................................................................................................................ 76 3.4.1 Males........................................................................................................................... 76 3.4.2 Females ....................................................................................................................... 80 3.5 DISCUSSION ........................................................................................................................ 81 3.6 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 97 4 STABLE ISOTOPES AND FATTY ACIDS DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN SUMMER AND SPRING FEEDING IN BELUGAS (DELPHINAPTERUS LEUCAS) IN HUDSON BAY ................................... 109 4.1 ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ 110 4.2 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 112 4.3 METHODS .......................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2017 377 Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
    2017 BOOK REVIEWS 377 Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises By Erich Hoyt. 2017. Firefly Books. 300 pages, 49.95 CAD, Cloth. Written by a British-based, dual-citizen Canadian tion that individual animals could be photographed and who is a research scientist, conservationist, and author, identified by distinctive species-specific features, such the Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises as flukes, dorsal fins, pigmentation patterns, scars, and provides an interesting and beautiful global overview wounds. this led to great advances in previously dif- of cetaceans. Part pictorial guide, part research over - ficult areas to research such as migration, distribution, view, part coffee table book, and part call to action, and social behaviour. In a general book such as this and brimming with incredibly beautiful photographs obviously not all biological facts can be provided, but showing cetaceans in action, this book will appeal to it does provide an interesting and sometimes astound- many readers in its attractive, easy-to-read format. ing array of biological information. It is quite enlight- the reader will learn a great deal. the book contains ening how little is still known about some cetacean many interesting facts about this hugely popular yet species, even breeding areas and species taxonomy, mystical group of marine mammals. In recounting the and how recently much of the known scientific infor- history of cetacean research and monitoring, the author mation has been gathered. It was sobering to learn that emphasized the major progress made with the realiza- almost half of all cetaceans globally are considered 378 THE CANADIAN FIELD -N ATURALIST Vol.
    [Show full text]
  • Marine Mammals of Hudson Strait the Following Marine Mammals Are Common to Hudson Strait, However, Other Species May Also Be Seen
    Marine Mammals of Hudson Strait The following marine mammals are common to Hudson Strait, however, other species may also be seen. It’s possible for marine mammals to venture outside of their common habitats and may be seen elsewhere. Bowhead Whale Length: 13-19 m Appearance: Stocky, with large head. Blue-black body with white markings on the chin, belly and just forward of the tail. No dorsal fin or ridge. Two blow holes, no teeth, has baleen. Behaviour: Blow is V-shaped and bushy, reaching 6 m in height. Often alone but sometimes in groups of 2-10. Habitat: Leads and cracks in pack ice during winter and in open water during summer. Status: Special concern Beluga Whale Length: 4-5 m Appearance: Adults are almost entirely white with a tough dorsal ridge and no dorsal fin. Young are grey. Behaviour: Blow is low and hardly visible. Not much of the body is visible out of the water. Found in small groups, but sometimes hundreds to thousands during annual migrations. Habitat: Found in open water year-round. Prefer shallow coastal water during summer and water near pack ice in winter. Killer Whale Status: Endangered Length: 8-9 m Appearance: Black body with white throat, belly and underside and white spot behind eye. Triangular dorsal fin in the middle of the back. Male dorsal fin can be up to 2 m in high. Behaviour: Blow is tall and column shaped; approximately 4 m in height. Narwhal Typically form groups of 2-25. Length: 4-5 m Habitat: Coastal water and open seas, often in water less than 200 m depth.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustained Disruption of Narwhal Habitat Use and Behavior in The
    Sustained disruption of narwhal habitat use and behavior in the presence of Arctic killer whales Greg A. Breeda,1, Cory J. D. Matthewsb, Marianne Marcouxb, Jeff W. Higdonc, Bernard LeBlancd, Stephen D. Petersene, Jack Orrb, Natalie R. Reinhartf, and Steven H. Fergusonb aInstitute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK 99775; bArctic Aquatic Research Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3T 2N6; cHigdon Wildlife Consulting, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3G 3C9; dFisheries Management, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Quebec, QC, Canada G1K 7Y7; eAssiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3R 0B8; and fDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3T 2N2 Edited by James A. Estes, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, and approved January 10, 2017 (received for review July 17, 2016) Although predators influence behavior of prey, analyses of elec- Electronic tracking tags are also frequently used to track verte- tronic tracking data in marine environments rarely consider how brates in marine systems. Although there is evidence that marine predators affect the behavior of tracked animals. We collected animals adjust their behavior under predation threat (21, 22, 12), an unprecedented dataset by synchronously tracking predator few data or analyses exist showing how predators affect the (killer whales, N = 1; representing a family group) and prey movement of tracked marine animals. These data are lacking (narwhal, N = 7) via satellite telemetry in Admiralty Inlet, a because marine environments are more difficult to observe and large fjord in the Eastern Canadian Arctic. Analyzing the move- tracked animals often move over scales much larger than their ment data with a switching-state space model and a series of terrestrial counterparts, making it difficult to measure predator mixed effects models, we show that the presence of killer whales density in situations where tracking tags are deployed on prey.
    [Show full text]
  • THE CASE AGAINST Marine Mammals in Captivity Authors: Naomi A
    s l a m m a y t T i M S N v I i A e G t A n i p E S r a A C a C E H n T M i THE CASE AGAINST Marine Mammals in Captivity The Humane Society of the United State s/ World Society for the Protection of Animals 2009 1 1 1 2 0 A M , n o t s o g B r o . 1 a 0 s 2 u - e a t i p s u S w , t e e r t S h t u o S 9 8 THE CASE AGAINST Marine Mammals in Captivity Authors: Naomi A. Rose, E.C.M. Parsons, and Richard Farinato, 4th edition Editors: Naomi A. Rose and Debra Firmani, 4th edition ©2009 The Humane Society of the United States and the World Society for the Protection of Animals. All rights reserved. ©2008 The HSUS. All rights reserved. Printed on recycled paper, acid free and elemental chlorine free, with soy-based ink. Cover: ©iStockphoto.com/Ying Ying Wong Overview n the debate over marine mammals in captivity, the of the natural environment. The truth is that marine mammals have evolved physically and behaviorally to survive these rigors. public display industry maintains that marine mammal For example, nearly every kind of marine mammal, from sea lion Iexhibits serve a valuable conservation function, people to dolphin, travels large distances daily in a search for food. In learn important information from seeing live animals, and captivity, natural feeding and foraging patterns are completely lost.
    [Show full text]
  • Climate Change Could Impact Narwhal Consumption by Killer Whales
    Nova Southeastern University NSUWorks Student Publications, Projects, and Scientific Communication News Performances 2020 Climate Change Could Impact Narwhal Consumption by Killer Whales Mykenzee L. Munaco Follow this and additional works at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/sci-com-news Part of the Biology Commons, Earth Sciences Commons, Environmental Sciences Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Commons, and the Science and Mathematics Education Commons Recommended Citation Munaco, Mykenzee L., "Climate Change Could Impact Narwhal Consumption by Killer Whales" (2020). Scientific Communication News. 27. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/sci-com-news/27 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Publications, Projects, and Performances at NSUWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Scientific Communication News yb an authorized administrator of NSUWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Climate Change Could Impact Narwhal Consumption by Killer Whales Climate change related differences in killer whale distributions could result in increased predation of narwhals in the northern Baffin Island region. SOURCE: Wiley: Global Change Biology By Mykenzee Munaco 05 November 2020 Climate change is creating warmer ocean temperatures and melting sea ice at polar latitudes. These environmental changes can allow species to expand their normal range to higher latitudes. Killer whales have recently been observed at higher latitudes than they have historically resided in. As a result, there is concern that the narwhal population could experience higher rates of killer whale predation, potentially resulting in the decline of important narwhal populations. Transient killer whales eat marine mammals and are known to visit the Canadian Arctic in summer months.
    [Show full text]
  • Chlorinated Organic Contaminants in Blubber Biopsies from Northwestern Atlantic Balaenopterid Whales Summering in the Gulf of St Lawrence
    Marine Environmental Research, Vol. 44, No. 2, pp. 201-223, 1997 0 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd All rights reserved. Printed in Great Britain PII: SOl41-1136(97)00004-4 0141-1136/97 $17.00+0.00 Chlorinated Organic Contaminants in Blubber Biopsies from Northwestern Atlantic Balaenopterid Whales Summering in the Gulf of St Lawrence J. M. Gauthier,a* C. D. Metcalfe” & R. Sear@ “Environmental and Resources Studies, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada K9J 7B8 bMingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS), 285 Green, St. Lambert, Quebec, Canada J4P IT3 (Received 16 May 1996; revised version received 16 December 1996; accepted 29 December 1996. Published June 1997) ABSTRACT Concentrations and patterns of chlorinated biphenyls (CBS) and other persistent organochlorine compounds (OCs) were determined from small blubber biopsy samples collected from northwestern Atlantic minke (Balaenoptera acuros- trata) , fin (Balaenoptera physalus), blue (Balaenoptera musculus) , and humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) whales summering in the Gurf of St. Lawrence, Quebec. Concentrations of CPCB (sum of 19 congeners) in biopsy samples ranged from 0.2-10 pg g-’ lipid, and congeners 52, 101, 118, 153, 138 and 180 accounted for 79% of CPCB. Mean concentration of the sum of non- ortho CB congeners in selected biopsy samples was 2 ng g-t lipid, and relative concentrations of these analytes were: 77 > 126 > 81> 169. Concentrations of XDDT ranged from 0.613 pg g-t lipid, and the average proportion of DDE to CDDT was 72%. All other organochlorine analytes were present at concentra- tions below 2 pg g-t lipid. On average, cis-nonachlor, trans-nonachlor and oxy- chlordane accounted for 27, 26 and 23%, respectively, of the chlordane-related analytes, and cl-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) comprised 67% of XHCH.
    [Show full text]
  • Vaquitas and Gillnets: Mexico’S Ultimate Cetacean Conservation Challenge
    Vol. 21: 77–87, 2013 ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH Published online July 3 doi: 10.3354/esr00501 Endang Species Res Contribution to the Theme Section: ‘Techniques for reducing bycatch of marine mammals in gillnets’ FREEREE ACCESSCCESS Vaquitas and gillnets: Mexico’s ultimate cetacean conservation challenge Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho1,*, Randall R. Reeves2 1Coordinación de Investigación y Conservación de Mamíferos Marinos, Instituto Nacional de Ecología y Cambio Climático, C/o CICESE Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana 3918, Ensenada BC 22860, México 2Okapi Wildlife Associates, 27 Chandler Lane, Hudson, Quebec J0P 1H0, Canada ABSTRACT: There is a high risk that incidental mortality (bycatch) in gillnets will lead to extinc- tion of the vaquita Phocoena sinus, a small porpoise endemic to Mexico’s northern Gulf of Califor- nia. A zoned Biosphere Reserve established in 1993 proved ineffective at slowing the population’s decline, and in 2005, a Vaquita Refuge was declared. The Refuge Program included a ban on gill- netting and trawling in certain areas with relatively high densities of vaquitas. However, it was not until 2008, with the introduction of a Species Conservation Action Plan for Vaquita (PACE- Vaquita), that a comprehensive protection and recovery effort was introduced. Unfortunately, valuable time was lost as officials first needed to bring order to a poorly managed fishery manage- ment system. Also, the voluntary nature of fisherman participation and the chronic deficiency of enforcement have limited PACE’s effectiveness. Although efforts to implement the plan probably slowed the vaquita’s decline, the goal of eliminating gillnets (and thus most vaquita bycatch) by 2012 was not reached. This example shows the difficulty of achieving conservation when the pro- gram’s rationale centers on the preservation of biodiversity with less emphasis on meeting com- munity aspirations.
    [Show full text]
  • Whale Watching New South Wales Australia
    Whale Watching New South Wales Australia Including • About Whales • Humpback Whales • Whale Migration • Southern Right Whales • Whale Life Cycle • Blue Whales • Whales in Sydney Harbour • Minke Whales • Aboriginal People & Whales • Dolphins • Typical Whale Behaviour • Orcas • Whale Species • Other Whale Species • Whales in Australia • Other Marine Species About Whales The whale species you are most likely to see along the New South Wales Coastline are • Humpback Whale • Southern Right Whale Throughout June and July Humpback Whales head north for breading before return south with their calves from September to November. Other whale species you may see include: • Minke Whale • Blue Whale • Sei Whale • Fin Whale • False Killer Whale • Orca or Killer Whale • Sperm Whale • Pygmy Right Whale • Pygmy Sperm Whale • Bryde’s Whale Oceans cover about 70% of the Earth’s surface and this vast environment is home to some of the Earth’s most fascinating creatures: whales. Whales are complex, often highly social and intelligent creatures. They are mammals like us. They breath air, have hair on their bodies (though only very little), give birth to live young and suckle their calves through mammary glands. But unlike us, whales are perfectly adapted to the marine environment with strong, muscular and streamlined bodies insulated by thick layers of blubber to keep them warm. Whales are gentle animals that have graced the planet for over 50 million years and are present in all oceans of the world. They capture our imagination like few other animals. The largest species of whales were hunted almost to extinction in the last few hundred years and have survived only thanks to conservation and protection efforts.
    [Show full text]
  • Fao/Government Cooperative Programme Scientific Basis
    FI:GCP/RLA/140/JPN TECHNICAL DOCUMENT No. 3 FAO/GOVERNMENT COOPERATIVE PROGRAMME SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR ECOSYSTEM-BASED MANAGEMENT IN THE LESSER ANTILLES INCLUDING INTERACTIONS WITH MARINE MAMMALS AND OTHER TOP PREDATORS CETACEAN SURVEYS IN THE LESSER ANTILLES 2000-2006 FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Barbados, 2008 FI:GCP/RLA/140/JPN TECHNICAL DOCUMENT No. 3 FAO/GOVERNMENT COOPERATIVE PROGRAMME SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR ECOSYSTEM-BASED MANAGEMENT IN THE LESSER ANTILLES INCLUDING INTERACTIONS WITH MARINE MAMMALS AND OTHER TOP PREDATORS CETACEAN SURVEYS IN THE LESSER ANTILLES 2000-2006 Report prepared for the Lesser Antilles Pelagic Ecosystem Project (GCP/RLA/140/JPN) FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Barbados, 2008 The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of FAO. All rights reserved. Reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product for educational or other non-commercial purposes are authorized without any prior written permission from the copyright holders provided the source is fully acknowledged.
    [Show full text]
  • Seasonal Trends in Acoustic Detection of Marine Mammals In
    ARCTIC VOL. 70, NO. 1 (MARCH 2017) P. 59 – 76 https://doi.org/10.14430/arctic4632 Seasonal Trends in Acoustic Detection of Marine Mammals in Baffin Bay and Melville Bay, Northwest Greenland Héloïse Frouin-Mouy,1,2 Katie Kowarski,1 Bruce Martin3 and Koen Bröker4 (Received 20 October 2015; accepted in revised form 8 August 2016) ABSTRACT. The expansion of hydrocarbon exploration in northwest Greenland has made it increasingly important to understand the occurrence of marine mammals in the region. We describe the seasonal occurrence of marine mammals and the spatial distribution of their calls in Baffin Bay and Melville Bay. Four Autonomous Multichannel Acoustic Recorders (AMARs) were deployed during summer 2012 (late July to early October), five recorders during September 2013, and two recorders from late September 2013 to early September 2014. The call presence of several species was analyzed using automatic call detection and manual verification analysis methods. A novel approach to discern narwhal Monodon( monoceros) clicks from beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) clicks was implemented during the verification process. Narwhal calls were detected in spring and fall, showing a south-to-north migration pattern in spring and a north-to-south migration pattern in fall. Few beluga whales were detected during fall 2013 and spring 2014. Bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) calls were detected mainly during spring (mating period). A small number of bowhead whale calls (Balaena mysticetus) were detected during fall 2013 and spring and summer 2014. For the first time at this latitude in Baffin Bay, long-finned pilot whalesGlobicephala ( melas) and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) were detected during summer and fall.
    [Show full text]
  • Federal Register/Vol. 80, No. 162/Friday, August 21, 2015/Notices
    50990 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 162 / Friday, August 21, 2015 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE An authorization for incidental scan sonar, geophysical resistivity takings shall be granted if NMFS finds meters, and magnetometer to National Oceanic and Atmospheric that the taking will have a negligible characterize the bottom surface and Administration impact on the species or stock(s), will subsurface. The planned shallow RIN 0648–XE018 not have an unmitigable adverse impact geotechnical investigations include on the availability of the species or vibracoring, sediment grab sampling, Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to stock(s) for subsistence uses (where and piezo-cone penetration testing Specified Activities; Taking Marine relevant), and if the permissible (PCPT) to directly evaluate seabed Mammals Incidental to Geophysical methods of taking and requirements features and soil conditions. and Geotechnical Survey in Cook Inlet, pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring Geotechnical borings are planned at Alaska and reporting of such takings are set potential shoreline crossings and in the forth. NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible terminal boring subarea within the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as ‘‘an Marine Terminal survey area, and will Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and impact resulting from the specified be used to collect information on the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), activity that cannot be reasonably mechanical properties of in-situ soils to Commerce. expected to, and is not reasonably likely support feasibility studies for ACTION: Notice; issuance of an incidental to, adversely affect the species or stock construction crossing techniques and harassment authorization. through effects on annual rates of decisions on siting and design of pilings, dolphins, and other marine SUMMARY: NMFS is issuing an recruitment or survival.’’ structures.
    [Show full text]
  • Marine Mammal Taxonomy
    Marine Mammal Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia (Animals) Phylum: Chordata (Animals with notochords) Subphylum: Vertebrata (Vertebrates) Class: Mammalia (Mammals) Order: Cetacea (Cetaceans) Suborder: Mysticeti (Baleen Whales) Family: Balaenidae (Right Whales) Balaena mysticetus Bowhead whale Eubalaena australis Southern right whale Eubalaena glacialis North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena japonica North Pacific right whale Family: Neobalaenidae (Pygmy Right Whale) Caperea marginata Pygmy right whale Family: Eschrichtiidae (Grey Whale) Eschrichtius robustus Grey whale Family: Balaenopteridae (Rorquals) Balaenoptera acutorostrata Minke whale Balaenoptera bonaerensis Arctic Minke whale Balaenoptera borealis Sei whale Balaenoptera edeni Byrde’s whale Balaenoptera musculus Blue whale Balaenoptera physalus Fin whale Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale Order: Cetacea (Cetaceans) Suborder: Odontoceti (Toothed Whales) Family: Physeteridae (Sperm Whale) Physeter macrocephalus Sperm whale Family: Kogiidae (Pygmy and Dwarf Sperm Whales) Kogia breviceps Pygmy sperm whale Kogia sima Dwarf sperm whale DOLPHIN R ESEARCH C ENTER , 58901 Overseas Hwy, Grassy Key, FL 33050 (305) 289 -1121 www.dolphins.org Family: Platanistidae (South Asian River Dolphin) Platanista gangetica gangetica South Asian river dolphin (also known as Ganges and Indus river dolphins) Family: Iniidae (Amazon River Dolphin) Inia geoffrensis Amazon river dolphin (boto) Family: Lipotidae (Chinese River Dolphin) Lipotes vexillifer Chinese river dolphin (baiji) Family: Pontoporiidae (Franciscana)
    [Show full text]