Jenny Allen Ocean Alliance An introduction to the diurnal behavioral patterns of the Gulf of Maine Humpback Whales Jenny Allen Ocean Alliance

Background Whale Watching Diurnal patterns Opportunistic data source Generates questions and interest Diurnal patterns Circadian rhythms Tidal patterns

Background – Surface Behaviours

Background – Feeding Behaviours

Aims Determine the presence or absence of a diurnal pattern of behaviour Create a baseline of information on diurnal patterns if present Test the hypothesis that there will be a pattern present based patterns seen in other marine mammals

Methods 2002-2008 Time/location Photo ID Behaviours Analysis Morning vs afternoon Average and total for 30 min intervals Student t-test

Results

Results

Discussion 7 out of 12 behaviours had significant trends All except breaching were in morning Contradict superficial trends Potential Errors Bias due to commercial nature of whale watching Greater number of afternoon trips Lack of systematic data collection

Conclusions Majority of behaviours did show trends Most trends were found to be in the morning Not enough evidence to support hypothesis This study provides a baseline of information Requires a more targeted study

References Clapham, P. J., Palsbøll, P. J.and Mattila,D. K. 1993. High-energy behaviors in humpback whales as a source of sloughed skin for molecular analysis. Mar. Mamm. Sci. 9, 213–220 Hain, J. H. W., Carter, G. R., Kraus, S. D., Mayo, C. A. and Winn, H. E. (1982) Feeding behavior of the humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, in the Western North Atlantic. Fishery Bulletin US 80: 259–68. Johnson, J.H. and A.A. Wolman, (1984). The humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae. Marine Fisheries Review, 46(4): 30-37. Silva Jr., J.M., Silva, F.J.L. and Sazima, I. (2005). Rest, nurture, sex, release, and play: diurnal underwater behaviour of the spinner dolphin at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, SW Atlantic. Aqua Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology, 9: 161–176. Weinrich MT, Schilling MR, Belt CR. (1992) Evidence for acquisition of a novel feeding behavior: lobtail feeding in humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae. Anim Behav 44: 1059–1072

Acknowledgements Cynde McInnis Ocean Alliance Cape Ann Whale Watch Hurricane II crew Cherly McCormick Jill Richardson Alex Olson