Dear colleagues,
We are pleased to announce the publication of a new paper:
Lomac-MacNair, K.S., Smultea, M. A., Cotter, M. P., Thissen, C., Parker, L. (2016). Socio-sexual and Probable Mating Behavior of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales,
Delphinapterus leucas, Observed From an Aircraft. Marine Fisheries Review 77(2), 32-39. doi: dx.doi.org/10.7755/MFR.77.2.2
ABSTRACT
Socio-sexual and mating
behaviors, to our knowledge, have not been
previously documented among free-ranging
beluga whales, Delphinapterus leucas, but
they have been described in detail for captive
belugas. We report on the fi rst photodocumented
interaction and display of
socio-sexual and apparent mating behavior
of noncaptive beluga whales in Cook Inlet,
Alaska. This behavior was seen on two
different days in the same river mouth in
uncharacteristically clear waters of upper
Cook Inlet. On 24 April 2014, social and
possible mating behaviors were observed
and photographed for approximately 12 min
within a group of nine adult beluga whales
in the mouth of Middle River on the west
central side of Cook Inlet. A total of 136
photographs were taken at a radial distance > 500 m. On 7 May 2014, similar behaviors
were observed among four adult beluga
whales in the same location for about 7
min. The second group was not photo-documented
due to flight limitations. In both
circumstances, affiliative behavioral events
such as echelon and contact swimming, and
socio-sexual behaviors such as ventrum-to-ventrum
contact, ventral presentations, pelvic
thrusting, nodding, and rubbing were
observed. These behaviors resemble those
previously reported for captive beluga mating
behaviors and copulation. Similarities
between these observations with captive
mating behaviors, and the timing of ovulation
and peak calving periods from other
wild beluga populations, provide strong
evidence that mating occurs during early
spring months in Cook Inlet.
Our paper is available online at:
Cheers,
Kate Lomac-MacNair
COO/Senior Research Scientist
Smultea Environmental Sciences907.306.7870kate@smulteasciences.com