Comparative Surface Display Behaviors in Juvenile and Adult Humpback Whales
Comparative Surface Display Behaviors in Juvenile and Adult Humpback Whales
xxxxStudent number: xx
ANM104: Marine Vertebrates
October 9, 2023Words: 0000/2000
Comparative Surface Display Behaviors in Juvenile and Adult Humpback Whales
Introduction (3-4 paragraphs; ~500 words) (Worth 20%)In this study we aim to analyze data collected from a scientific field trip which will help determine whether Juvenile Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) undertake a greater number of surface display behaviours compared to adults.
Humpback whales, scientifically known as Megaptera novaeangliae, inhabit every ocean on Earth and follow a yearly migratory pattern, moving from warm winter breeding locations in lower latitudes to cooler summer feeding regions in higher latitudes, spanning both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres (Franklin et al 2011). Among the numerous locations frequented by Humpback whales, they typically visit Hervey Bay in Queensland, Australia during the winter months from June to August. (Franklin et. al., 2011). Research dating back to the 1990s shows that the hump backs enter and exit the bay from the northern direction and assemble in the shallow waters near the western shoreline of Fraser Island, located in the eastern portion of the bay, and that mothers with calves are the last cohort to use the Bay (Franklin et. al., 2021). Humpback whales use migratory paths that connect feeding and breeding areas. Breeding and calving grounds share warm, shallow, coastal waters. Calving can happen anywhere along the migration route, based on favorable conditions. They prefer protected coastal waters for resting, especially maternal females, to avoid rough seas and reduce interactions with male groups (McCulloch et al., 2021). Research on humpback whale mother-calf pairs in breeding areas worldwide has revealed that these pairs prefer to stay in shallow, peaceful waters. (Franklin et. al., 2021) They tend to swim near the coastline during migration and often rest in protected bays or calm coastal regions (Bruce et al., 2014). The depth at which humpback whales are found is influenced by their social structure. Mother and calf pairs have a strong preference for shallower waters in comparison to other groups within the pod (Ersts & Rosenbaum, 2003). According to Vallejo et al. (2023) juvenile humpback whales tend to exhibit a preference for shallow waters, engaging in relatively superficial dives and surfacing frequently. Additionally, they have been observed playing with objects such as driftwood. The typical behaviour in multiple mother-calf pod associations, usually involved highly surface-active calves and juveniles, socially interacting with each other and with mothers carefully keeping the calves apart and possibly avoiding injury during these social interactions (Franklin et al., 2021) Analyzing whale behavior gives a deeper insight and understanding of the comprehension of the ecological significance of these species within marine ecosystems. Furthermore, it imparts invaluable insights into their ecological dynamics and patterns of habitat utilization. This study aims to test the following hypotheses. Null (H0): Juveniles Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) undertake less or equell number of surface display behaviours compared to adults. Alternative (H1): Juveniles Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) undertake a larger number of surface display behaviors compared to adults.
Methods
(2-3 paragraphs; ~500 words) (Worth 20%)
This study was conducted in the open waters of Hervey Bay, Queensland (Figure 1). Data was collected over a period of 4 days on a cruise operated by the tour company Whale Watching Hervey Bay. The study was conducted on two weekends, the first weekend 5-6th and the second 19-20th in August 2023.
Data collection involved observing humpback whales' behavior from a research vessel, utilizing a suite of field equipment including Olympus 10x50 DPS 1 binoculars with a Field of view of 6.5, a fieldwork notebook, a timekeeping devices, a clip board and a standardized datasheet. The datasheet served as a comprehensive record and contanied essential onformation such as the date of the study, observers name, and weather conditions. The table within the datasheet included pods identification, commencement time, GPS coordinates at start and finish time of each observation, the number of boats within sight, sex identification, and then the 27 different behaviors, categorised into codes of 5 General Behaviors; (HFD, LFD, FP, SS, Lg) 11 Surface display Behaviors (FB, HB, SB, NSB, CSB, TB, Lt, IL, HS, TFS, FS), 8 Intercative Behaviors(SH, CA, R, A, OP, T, BS, Av), and 3 Feeding Behavior(PF, D, N). Additional details regarding the behavior codes can be referenced in Appendix A, the behavior list.
Observations of humpback whale behaviors were manually documented on the pre-printed datasheets during the fieldwork. Data recording instructions included the sequential steps as follows: 1) Record pod number, time and GPS postion when pod is first sighted. 2) Rocord TOTAL number of boats seen throughout encounter. 3) Record the number of adult males, females and juvs/cavs seen in pod. Record the number of individuals on individual rows. 4) For each individual whale form the pod, tally(count) the number of times each of the behaviors were seen. There should be one row per individual. Each individual whale was recorded under Pod #1, even if it was a single whale observation, with corresponding behaviors marked on the datasheet. One row in the datasheet was allocated per observed whale. Following the completion of data collection in the field, the recorded information it was taken to University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) to be analyze. This analysis was conducted within a computer lab workshop, using software tools such as Excel and Google Earth. The data was filled and analyzed in Excel, using a 2 sample t-test with unequal variance was completet to compare the number of surfce display behaviore in juvileves and adults. The results were then visualized using a bar-plot, with distinct columns representing juveniles and adults, and standard error bars incorporated into the graph for additional insights in the data.
Figure 1. Geographic position of where each pod of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) was observed.
Results (~250 words, excluding table and figure captions) (Worth 20%)
This study was conducted collected over a period of 4 days in Hervey Bay. A total of 137 humpback whales were observed, which were divided into 58 groups known as pods. Among these, 93 were identified as juveniles, while the remaining 44 were adults. Analyzing the p-value and hypnosis, we had a t-test statistic of -2.06,p<0.05, which inditacte a significant result. The p-values is then the probability of weather or not the nul hyposis is supported.
This graph represents the trend between the two variables in this study. The mean number of surfacedisplay behasviours is mapped on the graph as the dependant variable (y) and the humpback whales age is the independent variable (x). Also shown on the table below. The graph shows that juvenile humpback whales shows significantly more surface display behaviors compared to the adult humpbackwhale.
Discussion (3-4 paragraphs; ~750 words) (Worth 20%)
State your main results as clear sentences in the opening paragraph of the Discussion.
The results show that Juvenile Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) undertake a greater number of surface display behaviours compared to adults. By analysing the results of the data from this case study, the alternative (H1) hypothesis that was described in the introduction of this report, is supported which stated that Juveniles Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) undertake a larger number of surface display behaviors compared to adults.
Describe how these results relate to the aims and hypotheses you described in the Introduction.As mention in the introduction, Franklin et. al., 2021
Do not make any reference to figures and tables in this section.
Use citations of other published work to place your results in context with the rest of the literature.
Include realistic recommendations for future research that could build on your study.
End the discussion with a clear statement of your main conclusions, and outline the importance of the results for conservation and management.
Anything that may have influenced the data you collected on the day (both positive and negative -
Hand notes: Having to look down on a paper and miss a behavior.
Two or more whales to observe: It could be hard to get all the data.
Excitement of seeing whales and forgetting to write the data down
Lack of experience to identify the behavior -> looks similar
Group work: Having a group, and dividing the tasks between us, was helpful
Visual issue: People on the boat were in the way of the view, or having to run from side to side to see the behavior
Low to medium activity
The captain giving out data details, coordinates, and directions of the activity of the whales accoring to (scoures)
Acknowledgments
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have contributed to the successful completion of this research project. Your support, guidance, and assistance have been invaluable throughout this educational journey. A profound appreciation goes to all the teachers in this course, Nikki Biskis, Jess Blakeway, Zerra Egerton, Georgina Hume, Caitlin Smith, Catherine Yule, Alexis Levengood and Kathy Townsend. Alexis Levengood's Wednesday lectures and data provision were particularly instrumental in this report, and Kathy Townsend, Catherine Yule, and Georgina Hume's guidance during the field trip was greatly appreciated. I would also like to thank the University of the Sunshine Coast for facilitating the field trip, providing us with a hands-on learning experience. Special gratitude is reserved for the magnificent Humpback whales that graced us with their captivating surface displays.
References (not included in word count) (Worth 10%)
Ann Carole Vallejo, Barragn-Barrera, D.C., Nohelia Faras-Curtidor, Bachmann, J., Edwin Gonzles Murillo, Luis Antonio Lloreda and Yerson Gonzles Murillo (2022). Play Behavior by a Juvenile Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with an Inanimate Object (Driftwood) in the Gulf of Tribug, Colombia. Aquatic Mammals, 48(6), pp.678683. doi:https://doi.org/10.1578/am.48.6.2022.678.
Bruce, E., Albright, L., Sheehan, S. and Blewitt, M. (2014). Distribution patterns of migrating humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Jervis Bay, Australia: A spatial analysis using geographical citizen science data. Applied Geography, 54, pp.8395. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2014.06.014.
Ersts, P.J. and Rosenbaum, H.C. (2003). Habitat preference reflects social organization of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on a wintering ground. Journal of Zoology, 260(4), pp.337345. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/s0952836903003807.
Franklin, T., Franklin, W., Brooks, L., Harrison, P., Baverstock, P. and Clapham, P. (2010). Seasonal changes in pod characteristics of eastern Australian humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Hervey Bay 1992-2005. Marine Mammal Science, 27(3), pp.E134E152. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2010.00430.x.
Franklin, T., Franklin, W., Brooks, L., Harrison, P., Pack, A.A. and Clapham, P.J. (2021). Social Behaviour of Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Hervey Bay, Eastern Australia, a Preferential Female Stopover During the Southern Migration. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.652147.
McCulloch, S., Meynecke, J.-O. ., Franklin, T., Franklin, W. and Chauvenet, A.L.M. (2021). Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) behaviour determines habitat use in two Australian bays. Marine and Freshwater Research, 72(9), p.1251. doi:https://doi.org/10.1071/mf21065.
Follow the guidelines set by the publisher (CSIRO) of the scientific journal Marine and Freshwater Research (https://www.publish.csiro.au/mf/forauthors/AuthorInstructions#11 ) and keep this consistent throughout.
Use primary scientific literature (>10 papers from peer-reviewed scientific journals), and books.
Do not reference websites, apart from the IUCN Red List or State/Commonwealth government websites.
Apendex
A: Behavoir list
B: Datasheet
