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Kathleen M. Stafford, Sharon L. Nieukirk and Christopher G. Fox.
Geographic variation in blue whale calls in the North Pacific. Journal of
Cetacean Research and Management 3(1):65-76. 2001.
The call characteristics and distribution of blue whales in the North
Pacific were examined by use of acoustic surveys. Two distinct
vocalization types have been previously attributed to blue whales from
limited regions in the North Pacific (cf Thompson and Friedl, 1982;
Rivers, 1997). Hydrophone data from sixteen sites in the North Pacific
were examined for these blue whale vocalizations. There were distinct
geographic and seasonal differences between the occurrences of the two
vocalization types. The hydrophones that were more westerly recorded the
"northwestern" Pacific vocalization, those in the eastern Pacific recorded
the "northeastern" Pacific vocalization and those in the central Pacific
recorded both types. Northeastern vocalizations were recorded from
July-December in the northeast Pacific and February-May in the eastern
tropical Pacific. Northwestern vocalizations were recorded most often from
July-December, and were essentially absent from March-May in the
northwestern Pacific. These results suggest that the different
vocalization types may represent at least two distinct groups of blue
whales in the North Pacific.
For a paper reprint contact:
Chris Fox
2115 SE OSU Drive
Newport OR 97365
or email <kate.stafford@noaa.gov> for a PDF copy.
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