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Kelp gulls attack Southern right whales: a conservation concern?
Citation
Fazio, A and Bertellotti, M and Villanueva, C, Kelp gulls attack Southern right whales: a conservation concern?, Marine Biology, 159, (9) pp. 1981-1990. ISSN 0025-3162 (2012) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2012 Springer-Verlag
DOI: doi:10.1007/s00227-012-1985-7
Abstract
Kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus) feed on pieces of skin and blubber they rip from Southern right whales’ (Eubalaena australis) backs in their breeding areas at Península Valdés, Argentina, producing injuries. This behavior has increased since the first record in 1972, and some authors have suggested that constant gull harassment could have a negative effect on right whale population. The main goal of this study is to assess the variables that most affect the gull attacks. We analyzed 5359 whale-watching sightings made during trips from Puerto Pirámides (42º34′S, 64º16′W) along the whale breeding seasons (June–December) 2005 to 2007. The most important factors affecting the attacks include the presence of a mother–calf pair, the time within the season, the distance to the coast and the wind velocity. There is also concern of possible transmission of infectious diseases in the attacks since increasing number of whales with different patterns of skin lesions have been observed.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | Southern right whale, kelp gull, conservation, Patagonia |
Research Division: | Engineering |
Research Group: | Geomatic engineering |
Research Field: | Photogrammetry and remote sensing |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments |
Objective Field: | Assessment and management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean ecosystems |
UTAS Author: | Villanueva, C (Dr Cecilia Villanueva) |
ID Code: | 111635 |
Year Published: | 2012 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 12 |
Deposited By: | Fisheries and Aquaculture |
Deposited On: | 2016-09-27 |
Last Modified: | 2018-03-17 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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