Behavioural responses of humpback whales to food-related chemical stimuli

PloS One
Bertrand BouchardAurélie Célérier

Abstract

Baleen whales face the challenge of finding patchily distributed food in the open ocean. Their relatively well-developed olfactory structures suggest that they could identify the specific odours given off by planktonic prey such as krill aggregations. Like other marine predators, they may also detect dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a chemical released in areas of high marine productivity. However, dedicated behavioural studies still have to be conducted in baleen whales in order to confirm the involvement of chemoreception in their feeding ecology. We implemented 56 behavioural response experiments in humpback whales using two food-related chemical stimuli, krill extract and DMS, as well as their respective controls (orange clay and vegetable oil) in their breeding (Madagascar) and feeding grounds (Iceland and Antarctic Peninsula). The whales approached the stimulus area and stayed longer in the trial zone during krill extract trials compared to control trials, suggesting that they were attracted to the chemical source and spent time exploring its surroundings, probably in search of prey. This response was observed in Iceland, and to a lesser extend in Madagascar, but not in Antarctica. Surface behaviours indicative of sensory explorat...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 8, 2021·Cell and Tissue Research·Takushi Kishida
Jun 13, 2021·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Ian C FarnkopfJ G M Thewissen
Jul 15, 2021·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Bertrand BouchardAurélie Célérier
Jan 26, 2022·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Joy S Reidenberg, Frederike D Hanke

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