Abundance, distribution and behaviour of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) along the Pacific coast of Nicaragua, Central America
Joëlle De Weerdt
A B * , John Calambokidis C , Etienne Pouplard A , Victoria Pouey-Santalou A , Carla Patulny A , Bram Vanschoenwinkel D , Marc Kochzius B and Phillip Clapham E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Association ELI-S, Education, Liberté, Indépendance – Scientifique, Allée de Verdalle 39, F-33470 Gujan-Mestras, France.
B Marine Biology, Ecology and Biodiversity, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, BE-1050 Brussels, Belgium.
C Cascadia Research Collective, 218 1/2 W 4th Avenue, Olympia, WA 98501, USA.
D Community, Ecology Lab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, BE-1050 Brussels, Belgium.
E Seastar Scientific, 27605 Hake Road SW, Vashon, WA 98070, USA.
Marine and Freshwater Research 73(8) 1041-1055 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF21326
Submitted: 20 October 2021 Accepted: 13 May 2022 Published: 29 June 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing
Abstract
Context: Previous research has shown the presence of an endangered humpback whale population breeding off the Pacific coast of Central America. However, little is known about the density, size, social-group structure and spatial habitat use of this subpopulation.
Aim: The study goal was to characterise a potential breeding subpopulation of humpback whales in the waters off Nicaragua. Five objectives were used to achieve this goal: (1) estimate abundance, (2) determine encounter rates, (3) define group composition, (4) assess distribution, and (5) document habitat-use patterns.
Method: Boat-based surveys were conducted between November and April at two study sites along the Pacific coast of Nicaragua in the winters of 2004–2008 and 2016–2020.
Key result: Inter-annual mark–recapture estimates did not yield a reliable estimate of abundance. Encounter rates were lower for the northern study site than for the southern site. Group composition consisted of groups with calves, singers and competitive males.
Conclusion: These results confirmed that Nicaragua is a breeding area based on known breeding-ground behaviours observed in other areas, and similar environmental characteristics.
Implication: Distinct habitats were found at the two study sites, suggesting that Central American humpback whales might use different areas within the broader Central American breeding range according to their needs and activity.
Keywords: breeding ground, Central America, habitat use, humpback whale, mark–recapture, Megaptera novaeangliae, North Pacific, Nicaragua, occurrence.
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