PresentationPDF Available
Presence and distribution of mother-calf pair humpback whales in Central American Breeding grounds are influenced by temperature
Conference: SOLAMAC
At: Lima, Peru
Project: Cetacean Conservation Project of Nicaragua
Joëlle De Weerdt
Etienne Pouplard
Lenin Oviedo
Centro de Investigacion de Cetaceos Costa Rica CEIC
Download file PDFRead file
The North-East Pacific humpback whale population migrates to warm breeding grounds to give birth and reproduce. Although a lot of research effort has been put in place to understand general humpback whale migration behavior, little is known on the distribution of Mother-calf (MC) pairs in breeding grounds. The objective is to understand MC spatio-temporal distribution during wintering months in Central America. Data was gathered on temperature, distribution, group composition and behavior between January and April on four different sites in Central America: Padre Ramos (PR) and San Juan del Sur (SJDS), Nicaragua (2016-2018) and Drake Bay (DB) and Golfo Dulce (GD), Costa Rica (2001-2017). Preliminary observations on group composition reveals that MC pairs represents 43% in of the groups PR (n=15), 7% (n=9) in SJDS, 58% in DB (n=67) and 48% in GD (n=7). MC pairs displayed a higher percentage of Travelling (78%) in SJDS compared to PR (46.7%), DB (50%) and GD (57.1%). Higher proportions of MC were observed in February North (PR) and South (DB) of SJDS (upwelling site). MC were present close to the coast (0.8-4.8km) in shallow waters (0-80m) in all study sites, excluding these parameters as explaining the remarkable difference in MC presence between sites. Measured Sea Surface Temperatures in Nicaragua (range 17-31°C) were lower than the breeding range temperature (21.1-28.3°C) suggested by Rasmussen et al (2007), which might be unfavorable conditions for calf development. Our results suggest that MC pairs likely searches for warmer waters to nurse their calves to avoid the cold upwelling waters of the South-West Coast of Nicaragua. These results can have important implications for future management strategies of the endangered Central America Subpopulation. Surveys should be conducted in other Central-American countries to accurately determine mother-calf humpback whale seasonal occurrence and behavior in the whole breeding area, including Guatemala and Panama.
Content uploaded by Joëlle De Weerdt
All content in this area was uploaded by Joëlle De Weerdt on Dec 03, 2018
PRESENCIA Y DISTRIBUCIÓN DE LAS MADRES CON SU CRÍA DE LAS BALLENAS
JOROBADA DEL PACIFICO NORTE-OESTE EN LAS ZONAS DE REPRODUCCIÓN
DE CENTROAMÉRICA
Photo: G. Barathieu
Joëlle De Weerdt, E. Pouplard, L. Oviedo
SOLAMAC 2018
▪Migration of Humpbacks from cold feeding grounds to warm breeding grounds
▪Distinct Population Segment Central America = Endangered (411-600 individuals) according
to NOAA Bettridge et al 2015
▪Lack of detailed informations about the patterns of use of habitat in Central America
▪Breeding ground defined between 21.1°C –28.3°C Rasmussen et al 2007
But: Are there areas they prefer to use or to avoid within breeding grounds?
Low predation risk
Corkeron & Connor, 1999
Warm &
Clapham, 2000
Increase chance of survival of humpback whale calves
mother-calf pairs
distribute within
the Central
American breeding
ground ?
Photo G. Barathieu
January –April
Two Study sites
+-900h of boat survey
Approx. 250 km apart
Distribution, group
composition, behaviour,
MC = All groups
including calf (MC, MCE,
MC2E, MC>2E)
MATERIAL & METHOD
•Mean monthly SST was significantly lower at SJDS (24.88 °C ± 3.59 °C)
compared to PR (27.68 °C ± 1.14 °C) (Wilcoxon signed-rank test: V= 1, P<
0.05)
•Less variability in 2017 compared to 2018
Costa Rican Dome
- Spatio-temporal variation
- Upwelling system
- Presence coincides with occurrence timing of MC pair in breeding grounds
General behaviour proportion for MC in
TR R M
% PR % SJDS
T46.7 78
R46.7 11
M6.7 -
UK -11
SJDS ?
What about Costa Rica
Is the CRD acting as a natural barrier for MC pairs?
•Opportunistic sightings
•From 2003-…
•Define behaviours
Bathymetric map
Sightings Nicaragua + CR
Preliminary observations on group composition reveals that MC pairs represents:
•43% in PR (n=15)
•7% in SJDS (n=9)
•58% in DB (n=67)
•48% in GD (n=7)
…of the groups
MC pairs displayed a higher percentage of Travelling (78%) in SJDS compared to P
R (46.7%), DB (50%) and GD (57.1%) -> p-value ?
HOW MUCH % SIGHTED VS DEPTH ? / DISTANCE TO COAST
-> Similar depths (MAP)
-> concentrate near the coast (CALCULATE ?)
January February March April Nov Dec
SJDS
Definition of breeding ground
•Peak of MC
observation in
February (PR vs
SJDS)
<-> coincides with
other breeding
•SST are lower in
February &
March than
defined for
breeding ground
by Rasmussen et
Conclusions & perspectives
•MC pairs likely searches for warmer waters within breeding grounds
to nurse their calves & avoid the cold upwelling waters of the
South-West Coast of Nicaragua
•Alternative hypothesis: avoid feeding adults in the area &
aggressive behavior (De Weerdt & Ramos in review)
•Include other Central-American countries (seasonal occurrence &
behavior) including Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Oaxaca
(Mexico) & Panama + recent sighting data of Mother-calf pairs of
Costa Rica (2019)
•Environmental and spatial modelling to have a better
understanding of habitat use patterns
•Include dorsal fin bending of calves for approx. age estimate
ELI-Scientific
Eric Angel Ramos
... The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is known for its long, seasonal migrations from its feeding grounds at high latitudes, to its wintering grounds in tropical waters, where breeding and calving occur Acevedo et al. 2017). Southeastern Pacific humpback whales have multiple wintering areas, including the Central American region (Oviedo and Solís 2008;Rasmussen et al. 2012;Acevedo et al. 2017;De Weerdt et al. 2018). Costa Rica receives whales from both the northern and southern hemispheres, and it has been hypothesised that gene flow is possible if there is spatiotemporal overlap (Baker et al. 1990(Baker et al. , 1998Rizzo and Schulte 2009). ...
Habitat use of Southeast Pacific humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae; Borowski 1781) in Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
MAR FRESHWATER RES
Lili Pelayo Gonzalez
Amaru Márquez
Hector M. Guzman
Context: Golfo Dulce is a wintering ground of the Southeast Pacific population of humpback whales. Habitat use and spatial preferences of whales during their reproductive season must be addressed in order to effectively conserve this species. Aims: This study aims to determine patterns of spatial segregation and habitat use depending on humpback whale group composition (groups that included mother-calf dyads versus adult-only groups). Methods: Spatial aggregation was assessed using sightings per unit of effort from June to October, 2010–2019. The groups' preferences were analyzed as a function of water depth and distance from the coast, and habitat use was characterized using behavioral data. Key results: Our SPUE analysis revealed important locations used by humpback whales. The mother-calf groups were present in waters <80 m deep, and their main behavior was resting (nursing and social). Adult only groups were in the deeper waters, and the main behaviors were social breaching and traveling. Spatial preferences and behavior data allowed the identification of critical nursing areas near potential mating grounds. Conclusions and implications: Our study highlights the need for inshore habitat protection, and these habitat use patterns should be considered when designing effective conservation and management strategies for marine spatial planning.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.
Cetacean Conservation Project of Nicaragua
Study of the presence, distribution and habitat use of cetaceans in Nicaragua
Humpback Madagascar
Maria-Alejandra Faria
Mayer F-X
Botouvangaindrano A.
Monographies des provinces de la République démocratique du Congo
Hans Beeckman
Toirambe
Realize monographic descriptions of vegetation in each province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Etude d'Egeria densa dans la Jalle de Blanquefort
An analysis of the contribution of public expenditure to economic growth and fiscal multipliers in M...
Stefanie Garry
Juan Carlos Rivas Valdivia
In this research, different complementary approaches are developed to determine the impact of public expenditure on economic growth in Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic. The evolution of the countries' fiscal performance is analyzed; the strong link between public spending and economic growth is verified; the long-run relationship between current and capital expenditure with GDP ... [Show full abstract] growth is identified, and it is shown that public spending has a significant multiplier effect in the short and long-term, highlighting its persistence over time. The empirical evidence suggests five main results. i) The contribution of public spending to GDP growth in 2005-2014 in most countries is significant, but the contribution of investment to GDP growth has moderated; ii) the correlation coefficients show that there is a positive and strong relationship between economic growth and current expenditure in all countries in the sample, but it is weak between capital spending and economic growth; iii) cointegration tests for economic growth and public expenditure (current and capital) show the existence of a long-term relationship for all countries included in the study; iv) in terms of the multipliers: the cases of Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama stand out, as the sum of multiplier effects in the long-term for these three countries reach values of 2.9, 2.6 and 2.3, respectively. The Dominican Republic and Honduras register values of 2.2 and 2.1, respectively. Meanwhile, Guatemala and Nicaragua report values of 1.6 and 1.8, respectively, v) the analysis of the impulse-response functions confirms that current expenditure has a significant cumulative effect on economic growth and that capital expenditure has a small and even negative effect on GDP growth in most of the countries of the subregion, with the exception of Costa Rica and Panama. It is also noted that the effects of public expenditure on economic growth are persistent over time, so it is feasible to promote a budget reengineering to efficiently use scarce public resources in the long-term.
Coal resources in Central America
Otto H. Bohnenberger
Gabriel Dengo
A review of the available information on carbonaceous sedimentary rocks in the republics of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama reveals the presence of coal and lignite beds, but no commercial production has been developed in any of these countries. The oldest coal beds, with thicknesses up to 2.5 m, crop out in central Honduras in at least six localities. They are ... [Show full abstract] interbeds in the argillaceous Triassic- Jurassic(?) El Plan Formation. This unit is strongly folded and faulted and in some places is intruded by dioritic plutons. The outcrops-in Yoro Department, Honduras-appear to be less deformed. In west-central Guatemala, near the border with Chiapas State, Mexico, coal beds are reported that possibly are correlatable with the El Plan Formation. Thin lignite beds in Cretaceous carbonate rocks in Guatemala do not seem to be important. In Panama, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, many different lignite beds, some more than 1 m thick, are reported in argillaceous and sandy Miocene strata. In Panama, these lignite beds occur in the Gatun Formation, whereas in the Izabal region of Guatemala, they are associated with beds of Miocene to Pliocene age. In most places, these Tertiary rocks are folded and faulted. They were evaluated in Izabal by a private mining company in 1968. Associated with sedimentary rocks of volcanic origin and probably of Pliocene to Pleistocene age, many thin lignite beds of local extent are found in intermontane basins of the volcanic provinces of the Central American countries. Only a few localities could attain importance for mining for local consumption.
Descriptions and synonymies in American Desmiphorini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae)
January 2018 · Zootaxa
Antonio Santos-Silva
James E. Wappes
Maria Helena M. Galileo
Estoloides (Parestoloides) Breuning, 1940, and Mimestoloides Breuning, 1974 are synonymized with Estoloides Breuning, 1940. Mimestoloides Breuning, 1980 is synonymized with Spinestoloides Breuning, 1954. Estoloides aurantius Martins & Galileo, 2010 is synonymized with E. scabracaulis Chemsak & Noguera, 1993. Estoloides modica Chemsak & Noguera, 1993 is synonymized with E. chamelae Chemsak & ... [Show full abstract] Noguera, 1993. Estoloides (Spinestoloides) spinipennis Breuning, 1974, is synonymized with Esthlogena monticola (Fisher, 1942). Estoloides (Spinestoloides) Breuning, 1954 is considered a genus different from Estoloides. Notes on Pseudestoloides Breuning and Heyrovsky, 1961, Pseudestoloides costaricensis Breuning and Heyrovsky, 1961, Pseudestoloides affinis Martins and Galileo, 2009, and on the type of Estoloides (Parestoloides) costaricensis Breuning, 1940, are provided. Pseudestoloides hiekei Breuning, 1974, is transferred to Estoloides. The following new combinations are established: Spinestoloides monticola; Spinestoloides fasciatus (Martins & Galileo, 2010); Spinestoloides benardi (Breuning, 1980); Estoloides andresi (Breuning, 1974); and Estoloides hiekei (Breuning, 1974). With the synonymy of Estoloides (Parestoloides), the following species have the subgenus removed from their names: Estoloides basigranulata Breuning, 1943: E. costaricensis Breuning, 1940; E. esthlogenoides Breuning, 1943; and E. parva Breuning, 1940. The following new species are described: Estoloides vandenberghei, from Nicaragua; E. maesi, from Nicaragua; E. nayeliae, from Mexico; E. noguerai, from Mexico and Nicaragua; E. chiapensis, from Mexico; E. pubescens, from Mexico; E. schusteri, from Guatemala; E. dthomasi, from Mexico; E. morrisi, from Mexico; E. giesberti, from Honduras; E. uyucana, from Honduras; Spinestoloides hefferni from Panama; and Pseudestoloides bingkirki from Nicaragua. The male of Spinestoloides spinipennis (Breuning, 1954), and the female of Estoloides prolongata are described for the first time. Keys to separate Estoloides, Pseudestoloides and Spinestoloides, from each other, and to species of Pseudestoloides and Spinestoloides are provided. Estoloides chamelae is newly recorded from Chiapas, Colima, Oaxaca and Guerrero in Mexico; E. prolongata is newly recorded from Costa Rica; and E. rufipes is newly recorded from the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo. The holotypes of Estoloides alboscutellaris Breuning, 1943 (Fig. 13), E. annulicornis Breuning, 1940 (Fig. 14), and E. reflexa Breuning, 1940 (Fig. 15) are also figured for the first time.
New species and new distribution records for Pseudomethoca Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) from Ce...
Roberto Cambra
Diomedes Quintero
The following nine new species of Pseudomethoca are described and illustrated: P. hansoni n. sp., P. roubiki n. sp. and P. ugaldei n. sp. from Costa Rica and Panama; P. bicarinata n. sp. and P. masneri n. sp. from El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica; P. sermenoi n. sp. from El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica; P. bimaculata n. sp. from Panama and Ecuador; P. cartaginense n. sp. from ... [Show full abstract] Costa Rica; and Pseudomethoca jica n. sp. from Panama. New distribution records are presented for: Pseudomethoca expansa (André, 1906), Costa Rica and Panama, previously known from Guatemala, and Pseudomethoca tetraspilota (Gerstaecker, 1874), New Combination from Mutilla, Panama, previously known from the type specimen from Colombia. Pseudomethoca cleonica (Cameron, 1894), from Mexico, is an additional New Combination from Sphaerophthalma. We have prepared two identification keys for the females of 20 species of Pseudomethoca, including the nine new species.