Dear MARMAM community,
We are pleased to announce our recent publication in the Journal of Cetacean Research and Management:
Rychwalski AN, Herr H (2024) Short Communication: Lateralised lunge-feeding behaviour in Southern Hemisphere fin whales at Antarctic feeding grounds. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 25:23-29. https://doi.org/10.47536/jcrm.v25i1.947
Abstract:
Balaenopterids use dynamic feeding lunges to capture prey, often performing roll manoeuvres which may demonstrate a side preference or laterality. In this study, we use aerial video footage of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) feeding at Elephant Island, Antarctica, to investigate laterality in the Southern Hemisphere fin whale subspecies B. p. quoyi. Right‐biased lateralisation was observed in all 63 recorded side lunges, 57 of which displayed visible lunge directions, the majority being clockwise (98.3%). These results complement existing information on lateralised feeding behaviour in Northern Hemisphere fin whales, confirming a strong right‐sided bias across the different fin whale subspecies.
Open access link to article: https://journal.iwc.int/index.php/jcrm/article/view/947
Please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have.
Best regards,
Alexander and Helena
—
Alexander N. Rychwalski
Institute of Marine Ecosystem and Fishery Science (IMF)
Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN)
University of Hamburg
Große Elbstrasse 133
22767 Hamburg, Germany
alexander.rychwalski@gmail.com
Tel. +49 15257612619
—
Dr. Helena Herr
Institute of Marine Ecosystem and Fishery Science (IMF)
Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN)
University of Hamburg
Große Elbstrasse 133
22767 Hamburg, Germany
Tel. +49 40 42838 6677
and
Alfred Wegener Institute
Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI)
Section Polar Biological Oceanography
AG Ecophysiology of Pelagic Key Species
Am Handelshafen 12
27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
+49 471 4831 1642