Developmental changes in the skull morphology of common minke whales Balaenoptera acutorostrata

We investigated growth‐related and sex‐related morphological changes in the skulls of 144 North Pacific common minke whales Balaenoptera acutorostrata. Measurement was conducted at 39 points on the skull and mandible to extract individual allometric equations relating the length and zygomatic width of the skull. The results revealed no significant differences in skull morphology by sex except for width of occipital bone. The size relative to the skull of the anatomical parts involved in feeding, such as the rostrum and mandible, increased after birth. In contrast, the sensory organs and the anatomical regions involved in neurological function, such as the orbit, tympanic bullae, and foramen magnum, were fully developed at birth, and their relative size reduced over the course of development. This is the first study to investigate developmental changes in the skull morphology using more than 100 baleen whale specimens, and we believe the results of this study will contribute greatly to multiple areas of baleen whale research, including taxonomy and paleontology. J. Morphol. 275:1113–1121, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A postmortem study of the corpus callosum in the common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)

Cetaceans diverged from terrestrial mammals approximately 53 mya and have evolved independently since then. During this time period, they have developed a complex nervous system with many adaptations to the marine environment. This study used stereological methods to estimate the total number and diameter of the myelinated fibers in the corpus callosum of the common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) (n= 4). The total number of callosal fibers was estimated to 55.3 × 10⁶ (range: 49.0 × 10⁶–59.1 × 10⁶). Despite large variations of the callosal area (350–950 mm²), there was little variation in total fiber number. The fibers with diameters ranging from 0.822 to 1.14 μm were the most frequent, which is similar to results obtained in the human brain using the same method. There was no systematic distribution of large‐, middle‐, or small‐sized fibers along the rostrocaudal axis of the corpus callosum. This study indicated that the corpus callosum of the common minke whale is small and has few fibers compared to terrestrial mammals.     

Chimeric structure of omp2 of Brucella from Pacific common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)

In the Pacific common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata ), a new variant of Brucella has been detected using the polymerase chain reaction. Detailed analysis of the porin protein genes, omp2a and omp2b from the whale Brucella showed that these two genes have some motifs in common with Atlantic marine strains in the 5'-terminal one-third region. On the other hand, the nucleotide sequences in the 3'-terminal two-thirds region of the two genes were almost identical to the respective genes of terrestrial strains. Thus, Pacific whale Brucella omp2 genes are chimeras between marine and terrestrial strains.     

North Atlantic minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) feeding habits and migrations evaluated by stable isotope analysis of baleen

Isotopic analyses of the incrementally growing baleen in Mysticeti have been used to learn about their feeding and movement patterns. Using methods previously applied to Pacific minke whales, stable δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C isotope values were measured along the baleen plates of male and female minke whales from two locations in the Northeast Atlantic. The sample sizes used in this study are comparable to those previously used in the literature, and, although limited in size, the evidence suggests differences in isotopic signatures between whales caught at different locations. Both the δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C data suggest whales at the higher latitude site of Svalbard have a narrower diet than the whales from Lofoten/Vesterålen in Norway. Across all whales, the δ¹⁵N data indicate the whales primarily prey on fish for much of the year, only switching to zooplankton during the spring bloom. The δ¹³C data fail to confirm whether the whales migrate over long distances.     

Aerial surveys for Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) reveal sea ice dependent distribution patterns

This study investigates the distribution of Antarctic minke whales (AMW) in relation to sea ice concentration and variations therein. Information on AMW densities in the sea ice‐covered parts of the Southern Ocean is required to contextualize abundance estimates obtained from circumpolar shipboard surveys in open waters, suggesting a 30% decline in AMW abundance. Conventional line‐transect shipboard surveys for density estimation are impossible in ice‐covered regions, therefore we used icebreaker‐supported helicopter surveys to obtain information on AMW densities along gradients of 0%–100% of ice concentration. We conducted five helicopter surveys in the Southern Ocean, between 2006 and 2013. Distance sampling data, satellite‐derived sea‐ice data, and bathymetric parameters were used in generalized additive models (GAMs) to produce predictions on how the density of AMWs varied over space and time, and with environmental covariates. Ice concentration, distance to the ice edge and distance from the shelf break were found to describe the distribution of AMWs. Highest densities were predicted at the ice edge and through to medium ice concentrations. Medium densities were found up to 500 km into the ice edge in all concentrations of ice. Very low numbers of AMWs were found in the ice‐free waters of the West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP). A consistent relationship between AMW distribution and sea ice concentration weakens the support for the hypothesis that varying numbers of AMWs in ice‐covered waters were responsible for observed changes in estimated abundance. The potential decline in AMW abundance stresses the need for conservation measures and further studies into the AMW population status. Very low numbers of AMWs recorded in the ice‐free waters along the WAP support the hypothesis that this species is strongly dependent on sea ice and that forecasted sea ice changes have the potential of heavily impacting AMWs.     

Seasonality of Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) calls off the western Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) is a difficult species to study because of its low visual detectability and preference for living within the sea ice habitat, accessible only by ice‐strengthened vessels. Recent identification of the Antarctic minke whale as the source of the seasonally ubiquitous bio‐duck call has allowed the use of this sound, as well as downsweeps, to investigate seasonality trends and diel patterns in Antarctic minke whale call production, and their relationship to sea ice cover. Passive acoustic data were collected using an autonomous Acoustic Recording Package (ARP) off the western Antarctic Peninsula. Bio‐duck calls were classified into four distinct call variants, with one variant having two subtypes. Bio‐duck calls were detected between April and November, with increasing call duration during the austral winter, indicating a strong seasonality in call production. Downsweeps, which were also attributed to Antarctic minke whales, were present throughout most months during the recording period, with a peak in July, and an absence in March and April. Both bio‐duck and downsweeps were significantly correlated with sea ice cover. No diel patterns were observed in bio‐duck calls or in downsweep call production at this site.     

Plasma and pituitary concentrations of gonadotropins (FSH and LH) in minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) during the feeding season

This study investigated plasma and pituitary concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and steroid hormones (progesterone: P4, testosterone:T, estradiol-17beta: E2) by enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) in minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) captured during the feeding season (December to March) in the Antarctic Ocean. Plasma FSH and LH levels in female minke whales were higher (P <0.05) than in male whales. Although the pituitary weight was not significantly different between male and female whales, pituitary FSH and LH levels were higher in females than in males (P<0.01) and mature whales than immature whales (P<0.05). Plasma levels of FSH, T and E2 were not significantly different between immature and mature male whales, but plasma LH and pituitary FSH and LH levels were higher (P<0.05) in mature than in immature whales. In both immature and mature whales regardless of gender, pituitary FSH and LH levels were correlated significantly (r=0.69: P<0.01). In mature male whales, plasma T and E2 levels (r=0.60: P<0.01), and testis weight and plasma T levels (r=0.46: P <0.05) were correlated. In immature female whales, plasma FSH and LH levels were highly correlated (r=0.68: P<0.001), but were not for mature female whales. The results show that gender and maturity influence gonadal and pituitary function of minke whales during the feeding season.     

东、黄海水团动态与夏季休渔效果间的关系

用聚类分析法分析了2003年6月-2005年6月东、黄海水团的分布,并讨论了水团动态变化与夏季休渔效果间的关系。结果表明,6月表层水团主要包括东海表层水团、黄海水团、黄-东海混合水团和沿岸冲淡水,底层水团主要包括东海次表层水团、黄海冷水团和黄海水团。另外,各水团的分布面积存在年间差异。夏季休渔期间,中上层鱼类资源和底层鱼类资源的恢复速度均在2005年最快,在2003年最慢。9月东、黄海中上层鱼类的主要作业渔场在28°00′-32°30′N,125°30′E以西海域,该海域表层主要受东海表层水团所控制;底层鱼类的主要作业渔场在29°30′-33°00′N,127°00′E以西海域,该海域底层主要受东海次表层水团所控制。6月较强的东海表层水团有利于中上层鱼类资源的恢复;较强的东海次表层水团有利于底层鱼类资源的恢复,而较强的黄海冷水团不利于底层鱼类资源的恢复。     

Temporal and spatial dynamics of phytoplankton diversity in the East China Sea near Jeju Island (Korea): A pyrosequencing-based study

The East China Sea (ECS) has long been considered an important monitoring site for oceanic ecosystem changes because many water currents and river discharges constantly influence this area. In this study, the community structure and diversity of phytoplankton in the northern part of the ECS adjacent to Jeju Island were explored using small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU) pyrosequencing. We analysed samples collected from four stations from the surface and at 30-m and 50-m depths during April and September 2011. We observed spatial and temporal variations in the phytoplankton community. Among phytoplankton, diatoms and dinoflagellates constituted a major portion at all stations (60–90%). However, comparison of the April and September samples showed seasonal variation and shifts in the dispersion of diatom and dinoflagellates among stations. Among stations, diatoms dominated St. 1 and others were dominated by dinoflagellates. Furthermore, phylotypes of potentially toxin-producing genera such as Karlodinium, Heterocapsa, Gymnodinium, Gyrodinium, and Pseudo-nitzschia were dominant in this area.     

Simulation of the entanglement of a North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) with fixed fishing gear

Population estimates of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) put the number of individuals at 458 with the actual number likely being lower due to a recent unusual mortality event. Entanglement with fixed fishing gear is the most significant cause of mortality of North Atlantic right whales. There remains little documentation of how North Atlantic right whales become enwrapped during an encounter with fixed fishing gear. In order to gain a better understanding of how entanglements might occur, an interactive simulator was developed that allows the user to swim a virtual whale model using a standard game controller through a gear field in an attempt to re‐create an entanglement. The morphologically accurate right whale model produces realistic swimming motions and is capable of pectoral fin motions in response to user input. Using the simulator, gear entanglements involving the pectoral flippers including ropes wrapping around the body and entanglements involving the tailstock were re‐created. Entanglements involving the pectoral flippers with body wraps were more easily generated than entanglements involving the tailstock only. The simulator should aid scientists, fisheries experts, fishing gear designers, and bycatch reduction scientists in understanding entanglement dynamics and testing potential new gear configurations.     

Different growth trends of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) forms in the northern Baltic Sea

The sea growth of two whitefish forms, anadromous (Coregonus lavaretus lavaretus) and sea‐spawning (Coregonus lavaretus widegreni), was analysed using samples collected from the commercial sea catch in the Gulf of Bothnia (GoB) in the northern Baltic Sea during 1998–2014. In the GoB area, these two forms are possible to identify because the gill‐raker number and size at maturity vary between forms. The growth rate of the forms is linked to their feeding area. Sea‐spawning whitefish, which has a feeding migration near its home site, was shorter in the northern GoB (66°N–64°N) at the ages of 3–11 than those in the southern GoB (64°N–60°30′N). In the data, most whitefish were caught with gill nets in the GoB. The mesh sizes of gill nets capturing the anadromous form were mostly 35–45 mm, while those capturing the sea‐spawning form were <35 mm in the northern GoB. It is likely that the different growth trends for small and large whitefish were connected with differences in their recruitment for fishing. The length of anadromous females at the age of four sea years increased significantly, but the length of six‐year‐old anadromous female whitefish decreased over the catch years from 1998–2014. In contrast, the length of slow‐growing sea‐spawning whitefish of six years or older increased significantly in relation to the catch year in the gill‐net catch. The increase in the growth of young age groups in both forms was probably associated with the increasing temperature and the low fishing pressure on small fish. The decreasing age at capture for both forms and the depression of the mean size of old anadromous whitefish are signs of high fishing pressure with a high gill‐net effort that selectively removes the largest and oldest individuals of both forms.     

氨基酸在黄东海食物网关键种——鯷鱼（Engraulis japonicus）食物链中的传递

采用活体饵料对黄东海生态系统食物网关键种食物链的中下营养层次"浮游植物-中华哲水蚤(Calanus sinicus)-鯷鱼(Engraulis japonicus)"进行了室内模拟实验研究,以了解氨基酸在该食物链中的传递过程.通过76 d的培养实验,对采集样品做了14种氨基酸含量的定量分析.结果表明,在3个营养层次中中华哲水蚤起着十分关键的承上启下作用,它不仅将小球藻的植物性蛋白转化为动物性蛋白,大幅度地提高了赖氨酸的含量,而且将氨基酸总含量从小球藻的6.10%提高到24.16%.作为该食物网主要经济鱼类重要饵料的鯷鱼则进一步将氨基酸含量提高到27.06%.中华哲水蚤的氨基酸相对组成与小球藻有明显的相关性(r=0.606,p＜0.05),其中7种必需氨基酸的相关性相对较弱,而非必需氨基酸的相关性明显较强.鯷鱼的食性由合成饵料转变为活体中华哲水蚤时,其氨基酸量也随饵料的改变而有所变化,从与合成饵料相关转为与中华哲水蚤有更紧密的相关.鯷鱼排泄粪便中的氨基酸含量主要由新陈代谢的生理过程所决定.     

东海中华哲水蚤的年产量估算

1 997年至 2 0 0 0年在东海陆架区进行了 4个航次的大面调查 ,用获得的大型浮游生物网样品分析资料应用产量 /生物量比值 ( P/ B)法对中华哲水蚤的年产量做了初步估算。中华哲水蚤的 P/ B比值为6.735 3,在东海的平均年产量为 2 63.94C mg/ ( m2 / a)。全测区年产量为 1 1 0 .745× 1 0 3t碳 ,即 1 1万 t,相当于活体重 1 44 .3万 t。     

东海赤潮高发区沉积物中营养盐再生速率的研究

2001年5月和2002年5月在东海赤潮高发区的4个站位(E4、E5、DB6、DCl0)对沉积物表面分别充氮气和空气进行培养,研究沉积物．水界面营养盐交换通量在不同条件下的变化规律,以及该海域沉积物中营养盐的再生对水体中营养盐的贡献．结果表明,各溶解态营养盐在还原条件下的迁移较为活跃．在距离陆地较近的海域,营养盐一般由水向沉积物中扩散,且距陆地越近,交换通量越大;而在上升流区,营养盐多由沉积物中向水中扩散．东海赤潮高发区沉积物是SiO3^2-的源,对初级生产力的贡献占6％．同时,东海赤潮高发区沉积物是氮、磷营养盐蓄积库．该海域沉积物每年从水体中吸附的DIN、PO4^3-分别占长江输入的5．9％、67％,沉积物一水界面对水体中SiO3^2-的贡献占7．8％．       

东海普通波水蚤种群特征与环境关系研究

根据1997～2000年东海23°30′～33°N、118°30′～128°E海域4个季节海洋调查资料,对东海浮游桡足类普通波水蚤(Undinula vulgaris)自然种群特征与环境的关系进行研究,并与1979～1980年资料进行比较.结果表明,普通波水蚤优势度、平均丰度、出现频率和占浮游桡足类总丰度的百分比均有显著的季节变化,其中秋季分别为0.09、556 ind·100 m^-3、93.69％和9.90％,夏季为0.03、86 ind·100 m^-3、68.49％和4.08％,冬季为0.02、42 ind·100 m^-3、53.85％和3.80％,春季为0.01、16 ind·100 m^-3、34.35％和2.31％.普通波水蚤在东海的优势性主要表现在秋季.与20年前同海域研究结果相比,近年春、夏和秋3季普通波水蚤在东海浮游桡足类中的重要性有所降低,而冬季有所增加.冬季的增加可能与全球气候变暖相关.底层水环境变化是影响普通波水蚤种群数量分布的主要因子,说明该种数量变化与暖流势力有密切关系.普通波水蚤对沿岸水团和低温环境敏感,其高丰度分布区是暖流位置的良好指示.作为秋季东海重要的桡足类浮游动物,普通波水蚤在东海海洋渔业中有重要意义.     

东海鲐鱼资源时空分布特征

利用1998年1月～2006年12月我国东海鲐鱼灯光围网生产统计数据和月平均海水表层温度SST及表温距平均值,利用GLM模型对其单位日产量CPUE进行标准化,然后对其资源时空分布进行了分析.结果表明:其CPUE与年份、月份、纬度、船队、表温及年份与纬度和年份与船队之间的交互效应有关.CPUE的年际变化与SST间有着显著的相关性.秋季是东海鲐鱼资源丰度最高的季节,渔业分布范围进一步拓展,资源的丰度也比夏季更高,且东海西北部的丰度较高:l0月份,东海鲐鱼的分布范围又出现回缩,仅在东海中部水域有渔业分布,但资源的丰度也为四个季节中最高.     

Decline in abundance and apparent survival rates of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence

Estimates of abundance and survivorship provide quantifiable measures to monitor populations and to define and understand their conservation status. This study investigated changes in abundance and survival rates of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence in the context of anthropogenic pressures and changing environmental conditions. A long‐term data set, consisting of 35 years of photo‐identification surveys and comprising more than 5,000 identifications of 507 individuals, formed the basis of this mark–recapture study. Based on model selection using corrected Akaike Information Criterion, the most parsimonious Cormack–Jolly–Seber model included a linear temporal trend in noncalf apparent survival rates with a sharp decline in the last 5 years of the study and a median survival rate of 0.946 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.910–0.967). To account for capture heterogeneity due to divergent patterns of site fidelity, agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis was employed to categorize individuals based on their annual and survey site fidelity indices. However, the negative trend in survivorship remained and was corroborated by a significant decline in the estimated super‐population size from 335 (95% CI 321–348) individuals in 2004–2010 to 291 (95% CI 270–312) individuals in 2010–2016. Concurrently, a negative trend was estimated in recruitment to the population, supported by a sharp decrease in the number of observed calves. Ship strikes and changes in prey availability are potential drivers of the observed decline in fin whale abundance. The combination of clustering methods with mark–recapture represents a flexible way to investigate the effects of site fidelity on demographic variables and is broadly applicable to other individual‐based studies.     

Assessment of wound healing of tagged gray (Eschrichtius robustus) and blue (Balaenoptera musculus) whales in the eastern North Pacific using long‐term series of photographs

Tags have been used to examine migration routes and habitat use of large whales for >40 yr, however, evaluation of tag wound healing has largely been short‐term, anecdotal or generalized. This study developed methods for systematic photographic assessment of long‐term external consequences of tag placement, to determine potential differences in wound healing between species and tag types and thus advise future tagging efforts to possibly minimize undesirable side effects. Tag site appearance and healing characteristics were evaluated by two reviewers and a time series evaluated by five veterinarians from photographs during 995 postdeployment encounters with 34 gray and 63 blue whales tagged in the North Pacific. Blue whale resightings were less frequent, but spanned a longer time period due to earlier tag deployments than the more frequent gray whale follow‐up observations. Swelling occurred in 74% of reencountered gray whales, with the highest frequency 6 mo postdeployment. Swellings were common in blue whales with early tag designs but rare with current models. Depressions occurred in 82% of gray and 71% of blue whales. This study demonstrates the value of follow‐up studies of tagged animals and systematic scoring of photographs to quantitatively compare tag response.