L. Torre-Williams, E. Martínez, J. Meynecke, J. Reinke, K. Stockin
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引用次数: 11
Abstract
ABSTRACT The majority of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) undertake an annual migration from high latitude feeding grounds to tropical/subtropical breeding grounds. Suitable calving habitat for this species includes warm (typically 19°C to 28°C), shallow, sheltered waters in tropical and subtropical waters. Here, we investigated occurrence of calving beyond the primary recognised breeding grounds (16° to 24°S) of the east Australian humpback whale population (E1). We examined location, depth (m), and SST (⁰C) associated with newborn observations in Gold Coast Bay, in southern Queensland, Australia from 2013 to 2016. A total of 74 newborns were recorded in the study area, with the majority observed in July and August. These findings may signify that the Gold Coast Bay provides an apparently suitable habitat for calving for this humpback whale population. As the area has not been classified as calving habitat, these findings will assist conservation managers in making informed management decisions regarding this species.
期刊介绍:
Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology is devoted to the publication of papers covering field and laboratory research into all aspects of the behaviour and physiology of all marine and freshwater animals within the contexts of ecology, evolution and conservation.
As the living resources of the world’s oceans, rivers and lakes are attracting increasing attention as food sources for humans and for their role in global ecology, the journal will also publish the results of research in the areas of fisheries biology and technology where the behaviour and physiology described have clear links to the contexts mentioned above.
The journal will accept for publication Research Articles, Reviews, Rapid Communications and Technical Notes (see Instructions for authors for details). In addition, Editorials, Opinions and Book Reviews (invited and suggested) will also occasionally be published. Suggestions to the Editor-In-Chief for Special Issues are encouraged and will be considered on an ad hoc basis.
With the goal of supporting early career researchers, the journal particularly invites submissions from graduate students and post-doctoral researchers. In addition to recognising the time constraints and logistical limitations their research often faces, and their particular need for a prompt review process, accepted articles by such researchers will be given prominence within the journal (see Instructions for authors for details).