A5055392398- Marine animal studies overview
- Marine and fisheries research
- Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Aerospace Engineering and Energy Systems
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Biomimetic flight and propulsion mechanisms
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Underwater Vehicles and Communication Systems
- Cruise Tourism Development and Management
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Coastal and Marine Management
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Digital Marketing and Social Media
Nelson Mandela University
2017-2025
University of Pretoria
2013
The scale-dependence of locomotor factors have long been studied in comparative biomechanics, but remain poorly understood for animals at the upper extremes body size. Rorqual baleen whales include largest animals, we lack basic kinematic data about their movements and behavior below ocean surface. Here combined morphometrics from aerial drone photogrammetry, whale-borne inertial sensing tag data, hydrodynamic modeling to study locomotion five rorqual species. We quantified changes tail...
One of the lesser known species baleen whales, Bryde's whale, also as Eden's whale (Balaenoptera edeni and B. brydei), although hunted part a North Pacific Japanese research programme , was not heavily exploited by commercial whaling remains data deficient species. Their taxonomic status is fully resolved they are often mistaken for other leading to uncertainty about their true distribution, behavior conservation status. Some populations critically endangered, whilst others small but have...
In 2016, South Africa became the first African country to draft Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) legislation. The underlying legal framework supports achievement of ecological, social and economic objectives, but a national policy grow oceans economy provides challenge for ecosystem-based approaches MSP. During 2018 International Conservation Congress in Borneo, we convened special session discuss particular challenges that will likely apply any developing seeking increase profits from...
ABSTRACT Despite their enormous size, whales make living as voracious predators. To catch much smaller, more maneuverable prey, they have developed several unique locomotor strategies that require high energetic input, mechanical power output and a surprising degree of agility. better understand how body size affects maneuverability at the largest scale, we used bio-logging data, aerial photogrammetry high-throughput approach to quantify maneuvering performance seven species free-swimming...
The considerable power needed for large whales to leap out of the water may represent single most expensive burst maneuver found in nature. However, mechanics and energetic costs associated with breaching behaviors remain poorly understood. In this study we deployed whale-borne tags measure kinematics test hypothesis that these spectacular aerial displays are metabolically expensive. We use variable underwater trajectories, high-emergence breaches faster require more energy than predatory...
Abstract The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin was recently uplisted to ‘Endangered’ in the recent South African National Red List assessment. Abundance estimates are available from a number of localized study sites, but knowledge movement patterns and population linkage between these sites is poor. A national research collaboration, SouSA project, established 2016 address this key gap. Twenty identification catalogues collected 2000 13 different locations were collated compared. Photographs 526...
Abstract Recent changes in the South African marine ecosystem and introduction of an experimental octopus fishery have resulted unsustainably high rate fatal Bryde's whale entanglements. Using suction‐cup attached bio‐loggers, we identified a previously undescribed feeding behavior used by whales to catch prey, this may make them susceptible entanglement mortality bottom‐mounted fishing gear. As they chase down their inshore sprint maneuver along seafloor for extended periods time, making...
The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin ( Sousa plumbea ) is “endangered” with likely less than 500 animals remaining in South African waters. Established 2016, the SouSA Consortium a formalised network of scientists and conservationists to combine knowledge research efforts, make coordinated decisions aim conserving species. first collaborative project collated available photo-identification data an attempt refine national population estimate investigate movements between sites. This work was...
Long-term sustainability of South Africa's boat-based whale-watching (BBWW) industry requires any desired growth to be achieved within sustainable parameters. Given that advertising is often the first point exposure for potential tourists, transparency regarding permit regulations support tourism and manage tourist expectations important. To assess transparency, textual information photographic content from 17 African government permitted BBWW company websites were analysed....
Morphological abnormalities in wild animals can be indicators of the underlying health a population and may determined through routine photographic surveys. Here, we assess unusual rostrum conditions Indian Ocean humpback dolphins (Sousa plumbea) inhabiting South African coastal waters to understand rate prevalence abnormal rostrums formulate hypotheses on potential causes. Photographic data were collated from systematic boat surveys opportunistic sightings, obtained between April 1998 March...