Dear MARMAM community,
We are pleased to announce the following publication in Canadian Journal of Zoology:
Marie-Thérèse Mrusczok, Elizabeth Zwamborn, Menja von Schmalensee, Sara Rodríguez Ramallo, and Robert A. Stefansson. First account of apparent alloparental care of a long-finned pilot whale calf (Globicephala melas) by a female killer whale (Orcinus orca). Canadian Journal of Zoology. e-First https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2022-0161
Abstract:
Interactions between killer whales (Orcinus orca (Linnaeus, 1758)) and
long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas (Traill, 1809)) have been
documented on numerous occasions, usually involving predation events and
pursuits. Here, the first documented account of a long-finned pilot whale calf
seen in echelon position with one killer whale in a group of three killer
whales is described, along with one further interaction of the same killer
whale group with other long-finned pilot whales. Behavioral, locational, and
photographic data were recorded and analyzed for killer whales between 2011 and
2022 and for long-finned pilot whales between 2019 and 2022 off West Iceland.
The data were used to obtain background information on the killer whale group
involved in the apparent alloparental behavior. The described event also
presents the first documented account of epimeletic behavior of a killer whale
toward a non-conspecific. The movements of the same killer whale group in
conjunction with other killer whales during a subsequent interaction with a
group of long-finned pilot whales do not fit any previously observed behavioral
patterns described for interactions between these species and may represent an
active effort to obtain another long-finned pilot whale calf. Long-finned pilot
whale and killer whale interactions might be more complex than previously
thought and influenced by multiple drivers.
The full article is now freely accessible at: https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full/10.1139/cjz-2022-0161
Find our public education video on this topic here: https://youtu.be/d6iuEpK4Nvk
Find more information on our research efforts at:
For further inquiries please contact: info@orcaguardians.org
All the best,
Marie Mrusczok