@article{,

title = {Seasonal distribution, abundance, habitat use and population identity of humpback whales in Oman},

author = {Minton,G.,Collins,T.J.Q.,Findlay,K.P.,Ersts,P.J.,Rosenbaum,H.C.,Berggren,P.,Baldwin,R.M.},

year  = {2011},

date = {2011-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Cetacean Research and Management},

volume = {Special Issue on Southern Hemisphere Hum},

number = {415},

pages = {185–198},

abstract = {Published data on the occurrence of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Arabian Sea suggest that the region hosts a non-migratory population that adheres to a Northern Hemisphere breeding cycle.  Twelve small boat surveys were conducted at three main locations off the coast of Oman between February 2000 and November 2004 to investigate the distribution and seasonal abundance of humpback whales and other cetaceans.

     An even ratio of males and females were observed and sampled during surveys in the Gulf of  Masirah (Gulf of Masirah) in October and November (n=38), while almost all whales sampled in Dhofar in February/March were male (n=28). Song was detected frequently in the bay surrounding the Halaniyat Islands (formerly known as the Kuria Muria Bay) in February/March, but observations of mother-calf pairs were sparse, and competitive groups were absent.  Feeding was observed in both October/November and February/March, but behavioural and environmental observations indicate that the Gulf of Masirah is primarily an important feeding ground, while the Dhofar region, particularly the Halaniyat Bay, may be a breeding area.  However, a lack of recent observations of both mother-calf pairs and competitive groups raises the possibility that the primary mating, calving and nursing areas are yet to be identified.

     Of the 64 whales that have been identified using photographs of dorsal fins or tail flukes, six individuals have been observed on at least two surveys, four individuals on three surveys, one on four surveys and one on five separate surveys. Identified individuals were re-sighted in both the Gulf of Masirah and Dhofar at different times of the year and across survey years, indicating year-round residence off the coast of Oman.  

     A Chapman's modified Petersen estimator was applied to various data pairings to calculate abundance.  All pairings yielded estimates of less than 100 individuals, but sample sizes are small and there are various sources of possible bias. Analysis of scarring on the caudal peduncle region of identified individuals in Oman indicates that between 30 and 40% are likely to have been involved in entanglements with fishing gear.

      Comparison of the Oman photo-identification catalogue with those from Zanzibar, Antongil Bay (Madagascar) and Mayotte and the Geyser Atoll (Comoros Archipelago), yielded no photographic matches. These data are consistent with the hypothesis of a discrete population. The distribution of fluke pigmentation rankings from the Oman catalogue, which varied significantly from those of Madagascar and Mayotte, provides further evidence for this theory.},

keywords = {Distribution, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Oman, population, population characteristics, whale, whales},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Distribution and population separation of Bryde's whale Balaenoptera edeni off southern Africa},

author = {Best,P.B.},

year  = {2001},

date = {2001-01-01},

journal = {Marine Ecology Progress Series},

volume = {220},

number = {44},

pages = {277-289},

abstract = {A review of available catch and biological data suggests that there are 3 populations of Bryde's whales in the Southern African region.  An inshore population (the South African Inshore stock) occurs over hte continental shelf of South Africa, south of about 30§ S and seems to be non-migratory, although there is a movement up the west coast in winter.  A pelagic population (the South-east Atlantic Stock) occurs on the west coast of southern Africa, ranging from equatorial regions to about 34§ S, and appears to migrate north in autumn and south in spring.  Whales from the Southeast Atlantic Stock differ from the South African Inshore Stock in size, scarring, baleen shape, seasonality of reproduction, fecundity and prey types.  both occured in the west coast whaling ground off Donkergat, but with differing seasonalities and distributions from the coast.  Bryde's whales are rare on the east coast of southern Africa, but are found in summer in some numbers south of Madagascar.  Whales from this population are clearly smaller than those from the Southeast Atlantic Stock, but are similar in size to, or even smaller than, those from teh South African Inshore stock.  Their external appearance is unknown, but they differ in prey type from South African Inshore stock, and because of a clear discontinuity in distribution, it is believed that they form a third (pelagic) population (the Southwest Indian Ocean Sstock).  this population may or may not move  normt as far as the Seychelles in winter, but seems to be separate from Bryde's whales in the Arabian Sea.  From their size composition, length at sexual maturity and infrequent capture, Bryde's whales taken at Durban may have repasented strays from ei ther ht eh South African Inshore Stock or the Southwest Indian Ocean Stock, and recorded stomach contents also indicate prey ty pes commn toe either stock. The unusual degree of population differentiation shown by Bryde's whales may be a consequence of hteir limited seasonal migrations and apparent resource partitioning.},

keywords = {Arabian Sea, Bryde's whale, Distribution, Indian Ocean, length, Madagascar, migration, population characteristics, reproduction, sexual maturity, South Africa, whaling},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}