Behavioral Response of Four Species of Balaenopterid Whales to Biopsy Sampling

Abstract

AB5TRACTBehavioral responses to biopsy sampling of four species of northwestern Atlantic balaenopterid whales summering in the estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence, Quebec, from 1990 to "995 were studied to determine if this technique was an important disturbance to the whales. A total of 447 biopsy samples were taken using a small punch-type biopsy tip fired from a crossbow. Biopsies were successfully taken from 91.2% of the whales approached. Whales displayed no reaction to 45.2% of the successful biopsy attempts. Whales that responded to biopsy sampling typically resumed their normal behavior immediately or within a few minutes. Most humpback whales displayed a hard tail flick, and the majority of fin and blue whales submerged following biopsy sampling. Significantly different frequencies and intensities of responses were found between whale species. Minke and humpback whales were found to be more sensitive to biopsy sampling than fin and blue whales. Response frequencies were similar between females and males for all species, with the exception of fin whales where females had a higher response frequency than males. Biopsy sample length, i.e., penetration depth, did not explain variations in response intensity bur may influence response frequency to biopsy sampling. Group size, geographical region, and number of biopsies taken per whale were not factors that explained variation in behavioral responses. The biopsy technique was found to be an efficient method for obtaining high-quality whale skin and blubber samples with limited behavioral disturbance to balaenopterid whales.

Short-term reactions and long-term responses of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to remote biopsy sampling

“…Observations of reactions by large whales have shown only short-term, low-level of behavioural disturbance and no evidence of longterm impact to habitat use or reproduction (Weinrich et al 1991;Clapham & Mattila 1993;Brown et al 1994;Gauthier & Sears 1999;Hooker et al 2001;Best et al 2005;Cantor et al 2010). Observations of reactions by small cetaceans (e.g.…”

Age determination of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae through blubber fatty acid compositions of biopsy samples

“…This technique (Winn et al 1973, Lambertsen 1987) is already widely used to obtain tissues for genetics and other research on freeranging whales, and is thought to have no adverse effects on the whales (Brown et al 1991, Weinrich et al 1992, Clapham & Mattila 1993, Gauthier & Sears 1999. For example, using tissues obtained from free-ranging humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae and bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus from well-studied populations, techniques are currently being developed to assign individual whales to general age classes (as well as to an estimated age), by examining the length of short, repeated sequences of DNA (telomeres) (Dennis 2006).…”

A new skin biopsy system for use with small cetaceans

“…The customised system bounced LAJAM 8(1-2): 183-186, December 2010 the sudden appearance of the dart, rather than to the hit itself, since it frequently happened when no animal was hit by the dart. Startle responses to biopsy darting were also observed in other species (Weinrich et al, 1991;Weinrich et al, 1992;Weller et al, 1997;Gauthier and Sears, 1999;Krützen et al, 2002;Parsons et al, 2003). The absence of strong reactions may be related to the brief duration of contact between our tip/dart set and the animals.…”

“…The absence of strong reactions may be related to the brief duration of contact between our tip/dart set and the animals. Strong responses have been reported when darts stay attached to the animal or impact is too strong (either by power of projector or proximity to the target: Aguilar and Nadal, 1984;Weinrich et al, 1991;Weinrich et al, 1992;Gauthier and Sears, 1999;Bearzi, 2000;Krützen et al, 2002;Parsons et al, 2003). The only reported case of death during remote biopsy efforts was due to the penetration and retention of a skin-blubber dart in the dorsal muscle mass of a common dolphin (Delphinus delphis; Bearzi, 2000).…”

“…It is also efficient, since almost every hit is a 'good hit'. The efficiency is improved by the fact that the tip does not penetrate the animal, so the optimal angle of hit is acute in relation to the animal's longitudinal axis, instead of the perpendicular optimal hit of the skin-blubber tip (Barret-Lennard et al, 1996;Gauthier and Sears, 1999), which is more difficult to achieve. An additional advantage is that tips are easy and inexpensive to assemble: they can be prepared by making holes in metallic thimbles.…”