Article
Environmental Sciences
Saskia C. Martin, Ana S. Aniceto, Heidi Ahonen, Geir Pedersen, Ulf Lindstrom
Summary: This study reports the presence of humpback whale songs in subarctic waters of Northern Norway, lasting for several months and not limited to breeding grounds. The peak of song occurrence coincides with the reproductive cycle of humpback whales, indicating a potential role in cultural transmission.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robert W. Boessenecker, Brian L. Beatty, Jonathan H. Geisler
Summary: This article focuses on the study of a toothed mysticete called Coronodon havensteini and its fossils, which reveal the transition from tooth-bearing ancestors to toothless baleen-bearing eomysticetid whales. The study also describes two new species, Coronodon newtonorum and Coronodon planifrons, contributing to the understanding of toothed mysticetes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kathleen M. Stafford, John J. Citta, Stephen R. Okkonen, Jinlun Zhang
Summary: The study analyzed bowhead and beluga whale vocalizations in the western Beaufort Sea to examine inter-annual variability in DBO Region 6. It was found that bowhead whale migration times were significantly later in fall from 2008-2018, and beluga whale presence was related to zooplankton biomass near the mooring. The environmental triggers that drive the migratory phenology of these Arctic cetacean species likely originate from the Bering Sea transport of heat, nutrients, and plankton through the Chukchi and into the Beaufort Sea.
Article
Ecology
Jared R. Towers, James F. Pilkington, Ernest A. Mason, Ernest Mason
Summary: This article reports the first and only documentation of a bowhead whale in the eastern North Pacific. The sighting occurred in the southeastern waters of Canada.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
N. S. J. Lysiak, S. H. Ferguson, C. A. Hornby, M. P. Heide-Jorgensen, C. J. D. Matthews
Summary: Serial measurements of hormone concentrations along baleen plates were conducted to reconstruct reproductive histories of bowhead whales. The study assessed gestation and calving interval in 10 females from the eastern Canada-west Greenland population using progesterone, oestradiol, corticosterone, and nitrogen stable isotope ratios. The findings revealed variations in progesterone concentrations among immature and mature females, indicating the presence of pregnancies and suggesting potential modification of gestation definition.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
F. Erbs, M. van der Schaar, J. Weissenberger, S. Zaugg, M. Andre
Summary: Studies have shown that bowhead whales exhibit variability in their singing behavior, with some song groups sharing similar hierarchical structure and units. Unlike humpback whales, bowhead whales do not share songs at a population level, but instead exhibit song sharing within clusters of animals in specific areas. This variability in singing behavior highlights the importance of considering variability in song analysis to better understand the behavioral ecology of this endangered species. Additionally, shifting focus towards units or phrase-based analysis may help in identifying and tracking similarities in songs over different scales for population monitoring.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rachawadee Chantra, Korakot Nganvongpanit, Patcharaporn Yaowasooth, Surasak Thongsukdee, Kongkiat Kitiwatthanawong, Cholawit Thongcharoenchaikit, Janine L. Brown, Promporn Piboon
Summary: On September 5, 2022, a dead baleen whale was found stranded at Laem Phak Bia, Phetchaburi, in the Gulf of Thailand, Thailand. It was initially suspected to be Omura's whale but was later identified as a common minke whale through genetic analysis. This finding extends our knowledge on the distribution of the common minke whale and emphasizes the need for more active surveys of cetaceans in the South China Sea.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Neil S. Banas, Eva Friis Moller, Kristin L. Laidre, Malene Simon, Ingrid H. Ellingsen, Torkel Gissel Nielsen
Summary: The research indicates that bowhead whales visit Disko Bay in winter and early spring to feed on Calanus spp., targeting high-density patches near the sea floor. They may consume a significant percentage of the Calanus standing stock annually by selecting the highest-density patches. This behavior of self-concentration during diapause by copepods enables the strong trophic link and acts as an energetic bridge connecting the whales with primary production in distant areas.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Angela R. Szesciorka, Kathleen M. Stafford
Summary: Climate change is causing faster warming in the Arctic. Whale migration timing is affected by climate change, and evidence suggests that Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort bowhead whales might be overwintering in the Canadian Beaufort Sea. The study analyzes an 11-year timeseries of whale presence in the southern Chukchi Sea and explores the relationship between migration timing and sea ice in the Chukchi and Bering Seas.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Chin-Feng Lin, Bing-Run Wu, Shun-Hsyung Chang, Ivan A. Parinov, Sergey Shevtsov
Summary: In this paper, the marginal spectrum feature innovation information of humpback whale vocalization signals was extracted using the EMD analysis method. The average energy ratios of different frequency bands in different classes of HWV samples were evaluated, and all ratios were found to be more than 10%. This study provides a better understanding, high resolution, and new innovative views on the information obtained from the MS features of the HWV signals.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Michelangelo Bisconti, Roberta Scotton, Pierluigi Santagati, Luca Maria Foresi, Luca Ragaini, Giandonato Tartarelli, Giorgio Carnevale, John Buckeridge, Elizabeth Koenig, Jacopo Tabolli, Paolo Nannini, Massimo Tarantini
Summary: This project in central Italy is unique in its combination of preservation of a significant paleontological specimen and the promotion of local awareness and enthusiasm for their geological heritage. By engaging in scientific and educational activities, the project has successfully disseminated scientific knowledge and attracted a large number of visitors.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Amy L. Willoughby, Megan C. Ferguson, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Amelia A. Brower
Summary: This study provides information on bowhead whale mortality in the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort seas stock, with a focus on the probable killer whale predation in the western Beaufort Sea. The carcass data from 2019 aerial surveys suggest an increased occurrence of killer whale predation compared to previous years, with a shift in carcass locations from the eastern Chukchi Sea to the western Beaufort Sea.
Article
Paleontology
Andrea Zazzera, Angela Girone, Rafael La Perna, Maria Marino, Patrizia Maiorano, Raffaele Sardella, Vincenza Montenegro, Ruggero Francescangeli, Giovanni Bianucci
Summary: This study describes an almost complete and partially articulated skeleton of an Early Pleistocene baleen whale, possibly a new species of Balaenoptera. The discovery provides important insights into the diversity and geologic conditions of Pleistocene whale fauna in the Mediterranean.
Article
Oceanography
John J. Citta, Greg A. Breed, Stephen R. Okkonen, Matthew L. Druckenmiller, Lori Quakenbush, John C. George, Billy Adams, Wieslaw Maslowski, Robert Osinski, Justin Olnes, Ellen V. Lea, Robert Suydam
Summary: Prior to 2017, the distribution of bowhead whales in the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort Sea was centered in the western Bering Sea with high concentrations of sea ice. However, with the decline of sea ice in 2017-2019, the whales shifted northwards into the Chukchi Sea. The study examines how the whales respond to ecological changes by analyzing satellite tag data, sea ice concentration data, and oceanographic simulations.
CONTINENTAL SHELF RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Yoshihiro Tanaka, Hiroyuki Taruno
Summary: A new discovery of humpback whale remains in Osaka, Japan from the Namba Formation is identified as Megaptera novaeangliae, with a estimated body length of 13 meters, confirming it as an adult whale. This finding provides a certain record of the humpback whale species in Holocene sediments in Japan along with size estimation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. K. Cox, K. N. Peterson, D. Tan, P. J. Novak, H. L. Schoenfuss, J. L. Ward
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2018)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rachel A. Mole, Christopher J. Good, Eva K. Stebel, Julia F. Higgins, Sarah A. Pitell, Arielle R. Welch, Thomas A. Minarik, Heiko L. Schoenfuss, Paul L. Edmiston
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicholas Cipoletti, Zachary G. Jorgenson, Jo A. Banda, Stephanie L. Hummel, Satomi Kohno, Heiko L. Schoenfuss
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2019)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Richard W. Blob, Travis Baumann, Kelly M. Diamond, Vanessa K. H. Young, Heiko L. Schoenfuss
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
V. R. Korn, J. L. Ward, P. L. Edmiston, H. L. Schoenfuss
ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicholas Cipoletti, Zachary G. Jorgenson, Jo A. Banda, Satomi Kohno, Stephanie L. Hummel, Heiko L. Schoenfuss
JOURNAL OF GREAT LAKES RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alvine C. Mehinto, Heiko L. Schoenfuss, Ellie Wenger, Dario Diehl, Steven M. Bay
Summary: The study found that contaminants in the Los Angeles River did not cause significant endocrine-related toxicity or tissue damage to fathead minnows, but did expose the fish to complex chemical mixtures.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Amanda M. Palecek, Heiko L. Schoenfuss, Richard W. Blob
Summary: The study found that the passive adhesive performance of climbing gobies is influenced by species and substrate, with the strongest climbers exhibiting the highest shear pull-off forces on rough surfaces. Therefore, differences in adhesive performance may help explain the ability of species to migrate upstream and invade new habitats.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Grace K. Forker, Heiko L. Schoenfuss, Richard W. Blob, Kelly M. Diamond
Summary: Evolution of locomotor modes in goby fish is associated with morphological adaptations to meet the demands of various environments, such as marine and freshwater habitats. Climbing gobies have unique vertebral column structures that aid in vertical thrust production, with flexibility in the posterior portion of the body and larger intervertebral spaces in species that exhibit distinctive climbing behaviors.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kelly M. Diamond, Christopher J. Good, Nina Johnny, Troy S. Sakihara, Paul L. Edmiston, Jennifer A. Faust, Tonya C. Schoenfuss, Alexander M. Rubin, Richard W. Blob, Heiko L. Schoenfuss
Summary: Freshwater streams on oceanic islands are important for ecological and economic functions, but are often overlooked in assessments of pollution. This study found that Hawaiian streams are contaminated with various pollutants, comparable to continental streams, and have subtle effects on native fish species' locomotor performance. These results highlight the importance of including endemic species and ecologically relevant assays when assessing the effects of contaminants in island habitats.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mark D. Jankowski, David J. Fairbairn, Joshua A. Baller, Benjamin M. Westerhoff, Heiko L. Schoenfuss
Summary: Accurately measuring chemical exposures and biological effects in surface waters is a major challenge in ecotoxicology. This study used the transcriptome of Daphnia magna to detect distinct responses across different water sources in Minnesota. The results showed that each water source had a unique gene expression profile, with the most significant factors influencing gene expression patterns being pyriproxyfen exposure, season of stormwater sample collection, and wetland quality.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Biology
Richard W. Blob, Kelly M. Diamond, Raphael Lagarde, Takashi Maie, Kristine N. Moody, Amanda M. Palecek, Jessica L. Ward, Heiko L. Schoenfuss
Summary: The functional capacities of animals are crucial for their survival and reproduction in nature. Understanding the biomechanical performance of animals can provide insights into various aspects of their biology, including ecological distributions and evolutionary diversification. By studying the comparative biomechanics of amphidromous goby fishes, we have clarified how different aspects of biomechanical performance contribute to their ecological and evolutionary diversity. Our research highlights the importance of integrating knowledge of mechanical underpinnings to gain critical insights into ecological and evolutionary questions.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gerald T. Ankley, Steven R. Corsi, Christine M. Custer, Drew R. Ekman, Stephanie L. Hummel, Kimani L. Kimbrough, Heiko L. Schoenfuss, Daniel L. Villeneuve
Summary: Assessing the ecological risk of contaminants in the field is complex due to the mixture of compounds involved and the lack of data on the potential biological effects of many detected compounds. Advances in chemistry, toxicology, and bioinformatics have allowed for the development of concepts and tools to enhance the assessment of these contaminants. This article presents a multiagency effort to assess the occurrence and implications of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in the Great Lakes region, using state-of-the-science methods and models across multiple sites and species.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Heiko L. Schoenfuss, John D. Roos, Tim G. Loes, Brian E. Schmidt, Stephen E. Bartell
Summary: Powerplant cooling and subsequent warm effluent discharge can negatively impact fish populations. However, native fish species in the Upper Mississippi River show the ability to self-regulate and adapt to temperature fluctuations.
Article
Biology
R. W. Blob, R. Lagarde, K. M. Diamond, R. M. Keeffe, R. S. Bertram, D. Ponton, H. L. Schoenfuss
INTEGRATIVE ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY
(2019)