Killer whale predatory scarring on mysticetes: A comparison of rake marks among blue, humpback, and gray whales in the eastern North Pacific

Corsi, Enrico; Calambokidis, John; Flynn, Kiirsten; Steiger, Gretchen H.

doi:10.1111/mms.12863

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…These marks are often investigated for ecological purposes, such as in behavioural studies (e.g. Pitman et al 2001, Corsi et al 2021), or as indicators of the occurrence of certain species in the area (e.g. Moore et al 2003, Wcisel et al 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, some physical indicators of impact, such as scars or wounds, can result from inter‐ or intraspecific interactions, allowing for insights into marine ecology, from the species to the ecosystem level (e.g. Ajó et al 2018, Feunteun et al 2018, López et al 2018, Puig‐Lozano et al 2020, Castelblanco‐Martínez et al 2021, Corsi et al 2021, Ham et al 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Defining a common language to assess external deformities in free‐ranging cetaceans

et al. 2023

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1. Wild animals are increasingly exposed to human-induced threats in the ocean realm. Cetacean species, as predators and biomonitoring models, are subjected to a variety of stressors that may result in poor health, injuries, and persistent marks. These malformations can easily be documented by photography or video and can be used to infer about the animals' health, especially if combined with long-term photographic identification. However, the value of such information for monitoring is vastly increased if a standardised language is used. We provide a broad definition of deformity, as a general concept for conditions or abnormal features in cetacean species, and categorise externally detected deformities in free-ranging individuals. 2. We define six categories and 58 sub-categories of deformities in cetaceans:anatomical malformations (11 sub-categories), skin lesions (29), anomalous pigmentation (4), injuries due to physical impacts (14), emaciation, and epibionts. Categorisation was based on peer-reviewed literature published between 2000and 2021 (n = 253 studies), comprising 80 of the 101 extant species, documented in studies conducted across 50 countries; reviewed literature included papers from 86 scientific journals, with three journals contributing 100 out of the 253 documents. 4. Overall, and for both Odontoceti and Mysticeti, physical impact was the most reported category; injuries due to physical impacts were documented in 74% of the 253 studies we reviewed. This may be related to the common exposure of cetaceans to intense human marine traffic and fishing activities. 5. Especially with the growing use of open science, a consistent and common language is fundamental for data comparison and to support cetacean research, management and conservation efficiently. We suggest that researchers adopt these definitions and categories when describing abnormalities observed in free-living cetaceans.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Defining a common language to assess external deformities in free‐ranging cetaceans

et al. 2023

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“…Other phylogenetic groups could be studied to test whether morphology matches life-history pattern. Mysticetes consist of 16 species, which is a small number for phylogenetic studies related to evolution; however, as a group they do represent multiple approaches to defending against killer whale attacks and it would be reasonable to expect a life-history evolutionary response to predation pressure (Ford & Reeves, 2008;Corsi et al, 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does body shape of toothed whales foretell fast-slow life histories?

Ferguson

Higdon²,

Schmidt

et al. 2022

Preprint

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A widespread pattern in vertebrate life-history evolution is for species to evolve towards either fast or slow life histories; however, the possible causes of this pattern are multiple. Toothed whales (Odontoceti) are a particularly speciose group that includes a substantial range of body sizes and life histories and thus represent a model group to test the possible cause of this dichotomy. Using ancestral reconstruction, we find that some groups of odontocetes evolved sleek, presumably fast, body shapes around the same time that killer whales (Orcinus orca) evolved to be a predator of other whales approximately 1 Mya during the Pleistocene. A sleek body shape may have evolved as an adaptation to escape killer whale predation and resulted in a longer life-history events. A cluster analysis of odontocete whales confirmed the dual pattern of life-history traits with one group called ‘reproducers’ characterized by early age of maturity, short gestation, short interbirth interval, and short life, and the other group called ‘bet-hedgers’ with the opposite pattern. However, we found life history grouping relatively unrelated to whale shape (sleek or chunky). Results of mixed effects models incorporating principle components, indicated support for body shape as being positively related to neonate length (investment in progeny) but not significantly related to the temporal life-history traits. Thus, whale body shape is not an adequate explanation for the evolution of fast-slow life histories in odontocete whales.

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“…Visual analyses of the gross characteristics of skin conditions from photographs can indicate cases that are potentially related to viral, fungal, or bacterial aetiology (e.g., Van Bressem et al, 2007;Van Bressem et al, 2009). Photographic records can also be used to assess injuries indicative of traumatic events; wounds and scars, for instance, can suggest predation pressure (Best and Photopoulou, 2016;Baird et al, 2022;Capella et al, 2018;Corsi et al, 2022) as well as negative interactions with anthropogenic activities (e.g., Harnish et al, 2019), entanglement in or interactions with fishing gear (e.g., Baird et al, 2014), or collision with boats (e.g., Toms et al, 2020).…”

Section: Methodological Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Priorities for ecological research on cetaceans in the Galápagos Islands

Palacios

Cantor²

2023

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Located in the eastern tropical Pacific, the Galápagos Islands are an oceanic insular ecosystem subject to strong environmental variability driven by local and regional processes. Past research has shown that such conditions can attract and sustain at least 23 cetacean species, out of which 14 are common, including nine Delphinids, one Ziphiid, one Physeterid, and three Balaenopterids. These species occupy both coastal and oceanic habitats, most are present year-round, and a few are migratory. However, research on cetaceans in Galápagos has been sporadic and chronically underfunded and is not currently considered a priority in the research agenda for Galápagos. Based on a review of existing information and an assessment of knowledge gaps, here we identify priorities for ecological research on cetaceans in Galápagos along five topical areas: 1) spatiotemporal occurrence, 2) population assessment, 3) health assessment, 4) social ecology, and 5) trophic ecology. Addressing these knowledge gaps will also help inform actions to preserve cetacean biodiversity and to manage human activities involving or affecting cetaceans in Galápagos. Given the logistical and funding challenges of conducting cetacean research in Galápagos, we recommend optimizing data sampling and accessibility via integrated research protocols and open data repositories. We also recommend capitalizing on local citizen science activities, such as those conducted from cruise ships and whale-watching tours, which can serve as platforms of opportunity for obtaining basic data, thereby contributing to long-term data acquisition. Our proposed priorities should be assessed by Ecuadorian and Galápagos governmental institutions in broad and inclusive consultation with stakeholders and the scientific community prior to development and implementation of a research agenda. Collectively, these efforts will advance our understanding of the ecological role that marine megafauna, such as cetaceans, play in Galápagos and other oceanic islands, including maintaining large-scale connectivity and mitigating climate change.

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Killer whale predatory scarring on mysticetes: A comparison of rake marks among blue, humpback, and gray whales in the eastern North Pacific

Cited by 8 publications

References 57 publications

Defining a common language to assess external deformities in free‐ranging cetaceans

Defining a common language to assess external deformities in free‐ranging cetaceans

Does body shape of toothed whales foretell fast-slow life histories?

Priorities for ecological research on cetaceans in the Galápagos Islands

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