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Constantine, Rochelle
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Jackson, Jennifer A.
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Steel, Debbie
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Baker, C. Scott
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Brooks, Lyndon
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Burns, Daniel
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Clapham, Phillip
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Hauser, Nan
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Madon, Benedicte
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Mattila, David
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Oremus, Marc
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Poole, Michael
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Robbins, Jooke
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Thompson, Kirsten
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Garrigue, Claire
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Abstract |
- Estimating the abundance of long-lived, migratory animals is challenging but essential
for managing populations. We provide the first abundance estimates of endangered humpback
whales Megaptera novaeangliae from their breeding grounds in Oceania, South Pacific.
Using fluke photo-identification (1999−2004, n = 660 individuals) and microsatellite genotypes
(1999−2005, n = 840 individuals), we estimated abundance with open capture-recapture statistical
models. Total Oceania abundance and trends were estimated from 4 primary and 5 secondary
sampling sites across the region. Sex-specific genotype data enabled us to account for the difference
in capturability of males and females, by doubling male-specific estimates of abundance
derived from genotypes. Abundance estimates were congruent between primary- and secondaryregion
data sets, suggesting that the primary regions are representative of all Oceania. The best
estimate of total abundance was 4329 whales (3345−5313) in 2005, from a sex-specific POPAN
super-population model, which includes resident whales and those migrating through the surveyed
areas. A doubled-male POPAN abundance estimate from 2003 (n = 2941, 95% CI =
1648−4234) was considered the most plausible for the 4 primary survey areas and was similar to
the 2003 doubled-male estimate derived from Pradel capture probabilities (n = 2952, 95% CI =
2043−4325). Our results confirm that Oceania is the least abundant humpback whale breeding
population in the southern hemisphere. Pradel models showed no significant trend in abundance,
which contradicts the recovery seen in most other populations throughout the world. Thus we suggest
that the whales in this area warrant continued study and management attention.
- Keywords: Megaptera novaeangliae, South Pacific, Genotyping, Endangered species, Capture-recapture
- Keywords: Megaptera novaeangliae, South Pacific, Genotyping, Endangered species, Capture-recapture
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Citation |
- Constantine, R., Jackson, J., Steel, D., Baker, C., Brooks, L., Burns, D., . . . . (2012). Abundance of humpback whales in oceania using photo-identification and microsatellite genotyping. Marine Ecology-Progress Series, 453, 249-261. doi: 10.3354/meps09613
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Funding Statement (additional comments about funding) |
- This research is a contribution by the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium. We were generously funded by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, French Fonds Pacifique (through Opération Cétacés), the National Marine Mammal Laboratory, the Australian Department of Water, Heritage and Arts RNHP Fund, and the International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee.
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