Until the 1990s, beaked whales were one of least understood groups large mammals. Information on northern bottlenose (Hyperoodon ampullatus) and Baird’s (Berardius bairdii) was available from data collected during whaling, however, little information existed smaller species other than occasional gleaned beach-cast animals. Recent research advances have been plentiful. Increasing global survey effort, together with morphometric genetic analyses shown at 22 in this group. Longitudinal field...

The spatial ecology of rare, migratory oceanic animals is difficult to study directly. Where incremental tissues are available, their chemical composition can provide valuable indirect observations movement and diet. Interpreting the record in be highly uncertain, however, as multiple mechanisms interact produce observed data. Simulation modeling one approach for considering alternative hypotheses used consider relative likelihood obtaining an under different combinations ecological...

Abstract Information on wildlife population structure, demographic history, and adaptations are fundamental to understanding species evolution informing conservation strategies. To study this ecological context for a cetacean of concern, we conducted the first genomic assessment northern bottlenose whale, Hyperoodon ampullatus , using whole‐genome resequencing data ( n = 37) from five regions across North Atlantic Ocean. We found range‐wide pattern isolation‐by‐distance with genetic...

Abstract Understanding habitat requirements for species at risk is crucial effective conservation management, even though the location and extent of vital habitats may be unknown rare or elusive species. In case marine species, determining important often relies on limited occurrence data extrapolation from distribution models (SDMs). SDMs predict by associating records with environmental variables, assuming a functional ecological relationship. This study focuses northern bottlenose whales...

Photo-identification methods depend on markings that are stable over time. Using a large dataset of photographs taken 31-year period, we evaluate the reliability, rate change and demographic trends in different mark types northern bottlenose whales ( Hyperoodon ampullatus ) Endangered Scotian Shelf population, assess prevalence severity anthropogenically caused markings. Only fin notches back indentations were long timescales, leading to 48% overall population being assessed as reliably...

"The Gully", situated off Nova Scotia, Canada, is the largest submarine canyon in western North Atlantic. This unique oceanographic feature, which became a Marine Protected Area (MPA) 2004, rich marine biodiversity and part of critical habitat Endangered northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus). To understand potential impact plastic pollution MPA on this cetacean, we evaluated trends over time abundance composition plastics compared these to stomach contents recently stranded...

Nursing and weaning periods are poorly understood in cetaceans due to the difficulty of assessing underwater behaviour wild. However, onset completion critical turning points for individual development survival, with implications a species' life history including reproductive potential. δ15N δ13C deposited odontocete teeth annuli provide lifetime record diet, offering an opportunity investigate variation trends fundamental biology. While available parameters beaked whales have largely been...

This review comprehensively evaluates the impacts of anthropogenic threats on beaked whales (Ziphiidae)—a taxonomic group characterized by cryptic biology, deep dives and remote offshore habitat, which have challenged direct scientific observation. By synthesizing information published in peer-reviewed studies grey literature, we identified available evidence across 14 for each Ziphiidae species. Threats were assessed based their pathways effects individuals, revealing many gaps...

Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is crucial to expanding the knowledge of beaked whales, including northern bottlenose whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus) and Sowerby's (Mesoplodon bidens). Existing descriptions clicks produced by these species are limited sample size, number individuals recorded, geographic scope. Data from multiple encounters in western North Atlantic used provide a quantitative description species. Recordings nine with whales Nova Scotia Newfoundland were analyzed (N = 2239...

Abstract The gray whale ( Eschrichtius robustus ) is a coastal species whose nearshore summer foraging grounds off the coast of British Columbia offer an opportunity to study fine scale response baleen whales. We explore relationship between prey density and starting with regional (10 km) assessments (per square kilometer) effort as mysid cubic meter), 2006 2007. In addition we measure at local (100 m), while following whales during focal surveys. found had significant positive both effort....

Abstract In Clayquot Sound, British Columbia, gray whales ( Eschrichtius robustus ) forage primarily on mysids (Family Mysideae and also crab larvae Porcellanidae that are constrained to specific habitat, which relate bathymetric depths. this paper we characterize the interactions of their prey by analyzing fine scale spatial‐temporal patterns in foraging whale distribution within a season. Kernel density estimators applied two seasons (1998 2002) high‐resolution data whales. By partitioning...

Interpretation of conservation status should be informed by an appreciation genetic diversity, past demography, and overall trends in population size, which contribute to a species' evolutionary potential resilience risks. Low diversity can symptomatic rapid demographic declines impose risks populations, but also maintained natural processes. The northern bottlenose whale Hyperoodon ampullatus has the lowest known mitochondrial any cetacean was intensely whaled Northwest Atlantic over last...

Commercial fisheries have increased in all the world’s oceans with diverse unintended impacts on marine ecosystems. As a result of resource overlap, interactions between cetaceans and are common occurrence and, many cases, can give rise to significant conservation issues. Research distribution types such is important for efficient management. In this study, we describe behaviors two whale species: sperm whales ( Physeter macrocephalus ) northern bottlenose Hyperoodon ampullatus ),...

Abstract Molecular assays of sex determination typically rely on qualitative evaluation sex-linked markers, which can lead to uncertainty when results contradict morphological identifiers sex. To investigate whether disagreement between phenotypic and genotypic could be underpinned by variation in chromosome copy number, we developed a quantitative genetic method determine that is broadly applicable mammals with XY determination. We sequenced region the zinc-finger gene ZF, has fixed...

Beaked whales of the genus Mesoplodon are rarely encountered and information on their basic biology is lacking. We sequenced complete mitochondrial genomes True's (Mesoplodon mirus) Sowerby's bidens) beaked to high depth (>120X). The length de novo assembled was 16,342 bp (M. 16,347 bidens), with GC compositions 37.7 39.2%, respectively. A maximum-likelihood phylogeny supports hypotheses that M. mirus most closely related europaeus, bidens basal species genus. These data provide molecular...

How social behaviour changes as individuals age has important consequences for the health and function of both human non-human societies. However, extent inter-individual variation in ageing been underappreciated, especially natural populations animals. Here, we leverage a photo-identification dataset spanning 35 years to examine an Endangered population northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus), oceanic beaked whale that exhibits fission-fusion dynamics. Patterns were sex-specific:...

<ns3:p>We present a genome assembly from an individual female <ns3:italic>Hyperoodon ampullatus</ns3:italic> (the Northern Bottlenose Whale; Chordata; Mammalia; Artiodactyla; Ziphiidae). The sequence spans 2,828.70 megabases. Most of the is scaffolded into 21 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including X sex chromosome. mitochondrial has also been assembled and 16.34 kilobases in length.</ns3:p>

Abstract Commercial fisheries have increased in all the world’s oceans with diverse unintended impacts on marine ecosystems. As a result of resource overlap, interactions between cetaceans and are common occurrence and, many cases, these give rise to significant conservation issues. Research distribution types such is important for efficient management. In this study, we describe behaviors two whale species: sperm whales ( Physeter macrocephalus ) northern bottlenose Hyperoodon ampullatus ),...