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Occurrence of killer whales (Orcinus orca) and other cetaceans in Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea, Antarctica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Giancarlo Lauriano ,
Caterina Maria Fortuna  and
Marino Vacchi
Giancarlo Lauriano*
Affiliation:
Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via di Casalotti 300, 00166 Rome, Italy
Caterina Maria Fortuna
Affiliation:
Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via di Casalotti 300, 00166 Rome, Italy
Marino Vacchi
Affiliation:
ISPRA c/o MNA University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3-16132 Genoa, Italy
*
giancarlo.lauriano@isprambiente.it
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Abstract

During January and February 2004, data on presence and distribution of killer whales (Orcinus orca) and other cetaceans were collected by helicopter surveys along the coastline of Terra Nova Bay and adjacent localities (western Ross Sea, Antarctica). A total of 37 sightings of killer whale, of both B and C types, were recorded as well as 17 sightings of Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis), nine of Balaenoptera spp., two of Arnoux’s beaked whale (Berardius arnuxii) and four of undetermined species. The type C killer whale was the most abundant, with 23 sightings, whereas we recorded type B only twice. Group size ranged between 1 and 30 animals, with an average of eight individuals. Seventeen killer whales were photo-identified and 13 resightings occurred during the study period. Killer whales showed a differential pattern in partitioning the study area. Their encounter rate was significantly higher (t-test = 2.6045, P < 0.05) in the northern area extending from Edmonson Point to the Campbell Glacier Tongue (encounter rate, ER = 0.031), compared to the southern area from Mario Zucchelli Station to the Drygalski Ice Tongue (ER = 0.003).

Keywords

Antarctic minke whaleArnoux’s beaked whaledistributionecotypeencounter rate
Type
Biological Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 23 , Issue 2 , April 2011 , pp. 139 - 143
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2010

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