Observations of individual humpback whales utilising multiple migratory destinations in the south-western Indian Ocean

P J Ersts Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY, 10024, USA

C Pomilla Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY, 10024, USA; Department of Biology, New York University, 1009 Silver Center, 100 Washington Square East, New York, NY, 10003-6688, USA

J Kiszka Observatoire des Mammifères Marins, Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage and Direction de l’Agriculture et de la Forêt, BP 103, F-97600, Mamoudzou, Mayotte, France; University of La Rochelle. LIENSS (Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés), UMR 6250 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2, rue Olympes de Gouges, 17071, La Rochelle, France

S Cerchio Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY, 10024, USA; Wildlife Conservation Society, Ocean Giants Program, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY, 10460-1099, USA

H C Rosenbaum Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY, 10024, USA; Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY, 10024, USA; Wildlife Conservation Society, Ocean Giants Program, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY, 10460-1099, USA

M Vély Association MEGAPTERA, 23 rue Alexandre Dumas, 75011, Paris, France; Route Royale, Tamarin, Mauritius

Y Razafindrakoto Wildlife Conservation Society, Madagascar Country Program, BP 8500, 101, Antananarivo, Madagascar

J A Loo Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY, 10024, USA; Department of Biology, New York University, 1009 Silver Center, 100 Washington Square East, New York, NY, 10003-6688, USA

M S Leslie Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY, 10024, USA

M Avolio Barnard College, Columbia University, 3009 Broadway, New York, NY, 10027, USA; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, 165 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA

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Abstract

Movements of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae among breeding regions within the southwestern Indian Ocean are poorly understood. Understanding the relationships among breeding regions is critical for effective conservation and management strategies. Through systematic comparisons of molecular genotypes and both systematic and non-systematic comparisons of individual identification photographs collected between 1996 and 2006, we have thus far identified nine whales (six males and three females) utilising two breeding areas within this region: the northern Mozambique Channel and eastern Madagascar. Four of the nine whales were recaptured using only photographic data, two whales were independently recaptured using both photographic and genetic data, and three whales were recaptured exclusively using molecular methods. The discovery of these nine individuals provides much-needed data to guide the formulation and future revision of stock boundaries.

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Observations of individual humpback whales utilising multiple migratory destinations in the south-western Indian Ocean

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Observations of individual humpback whales utilising multiple migratory destinations in the south-western Indian Ocean

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