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Sarano F, Girardet J, Sarano V, Vitry H, Preud'homme A, Heuzey R, Garcia-Cegarra AM, Madon B, Delfour F, Glotin H, Adam O, Jung JL. Kin relationships in cultural species of the marine realm: case study of a matrilineal social group of sperm whales off Mauritius island, Indian Ocean. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:201794. [PMID: 33972866 PMCID: PMC8074673 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the organization and dynamics of social groups of marine mammals through the study of kin relationships is particularly challenging. Here, we studied a stable social group of sperm whales off Mauritius, using underwater observations, individual-specific identification, non-invasive sampling and genetic analyses based on mitochondrial sequencing and microsatellite profiling. Twenty-four sperm whales were sampled between 2017 and 2019. All individuals except one adult female shared the same mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotype-one that is rare in the western Indian Ocean-thus confirming with near certainty the matrilineality of the group. All probable first- and second-degree kin relationships were depicted in the sperm whale social group: 13 first-degree and 27 second-degree relationships were identified. Notably, we highlight the likely case of an unrelated female having been integrated into a social unit, in that she presented a distinct mtDNA haplotype and no close relationships with any members of the group. Investigating the possible matrilineality of sperm whale cultural units (i.e. vocal clans) is the next step in our research programme to elucidate and better apprehend the complex organization of sperm whale social groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Justine Girardet
- Université de Brest, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, ISYEB, Brest, France
| | | | - Hugues Vitry
- Marine Megafauna Conservation Organisation, Mauritius
| | | | | | - Ana M. Garcia-Cegarra
- Centro de Investigación de Fauna Marina y Avistamiento de Cetáceos, CIFAMAC, Mejillones, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomás, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Bénédicte Madon
- Université de Brest, AMURE - Aménagement des Usages des Ressources et des Espaces marins et littoraux - Centre de droit et d'économie de la mer, Plouzané, France
| | - Fabienne Delfour
- Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée EA 4443, Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Villetaneuse, France
| | - Hervé Glotin
- Toulon University, Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, LIS, DYNI Team, Marseille, France
| | - Olivier Adam
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut Jean Le Rond d'Alembert, UMR 7190, Paris, France
- Institute of Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, Bioacoustics Team, CNRS UMR 9197, Université Paris Sud, Orsay, France
| | - Jean-Luc Jung
- Université de Brest, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, ISYEB, Brest, France
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Konrad CM, Gero S, Frasier T, Whitehead H. Kinship influences sperm whale social organization within, but generally not among, social units. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2018; 5:180914. [PMID: 30225081 PMCID: PMC6124104 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.180914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Sperm whales have a multi-level social structure based upon long-term, cooperative social units. What role kinship plays in structuring this society is poorly understood. We combined extensive association data (518 days, during 2005-2016) and genetic data (18 microsatellites and 346 bp mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences) for 65 individuals from 12 social units from the Eastern Caribbean to examine patterns of kinship and social behaviour. Social units were clearly matrilineally based, evidenced by greater relatedness within social units (mean r = 0.14) than between them (mean r = 0.00) and uniform mtDNA haplotypes within social units. Additionally, most individuals (82.5%) had a first-degree relative in their social unit, while we found no first-degree relatives between social units. Generally and within social units, individuals associated more with their closer relatives (matrix correlations: 0.18-0.25). However, excepting a highly related pair of social units that merged over the study period, associations between social units were not correlated with kinship (p > 0.1). These results are the first to robustly demonstrate kinship's contribution to social unit composition and association preferences, though they also reveal variability in association preferences that is unexplained by kinship. Comparisons with other matrilineal species highlight the range of possible matrilineal societies and how they can vary between and even within species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine M. Konrad
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaB3H 4J1
| | - Shane Gero
- Department of Zoophysiology, Institute for Bioscience, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 3, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
| | - Timothy Frasier
- Department of Biology, Saint Mary's University, 923 Robie Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaB3H 3C3
| | - Hal Whitehead
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaB3H 4J1
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Oliveira C, Wahlberg M, Silva MA, Johnson M, Antunes R, Wisniewska DM, Fais A, Gonçalves J, Madsen PT. Sperm whale codas may encode individuality as well as clan identity. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2016; 139:2860. [PMID: 27250178 DOI: 10.1121/1.4949478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Sperm whales produce codas for communication that can be grouped into different types according to their temporal patterns. Codas have led researchers to propose that sperm whales belong to distinct cultural clans, but it is presently unclear if they also convey individual information. Coda clicks comprise a series of pulses and the delay between pulses is a function of organ size, and therefore body size, and so is one potential source of individual information. Another potential individual-specific parameter could be the inter-click intervals within codas. To test whether these parameters provide reliable individual cues, stereo-hydrophone acoustic tags (Dtags) were attached to five sperm whales of the Azores, recording a total of 802 codas. A discriminant function analysis was used to distinguish 288 5 Regular codas from four of the sperm whales and 183 3 Regular codas from two sperm whales. The results suggest that codas have consistent individual features in their inter-click intervals and inter-pulse intervals which may contribute to individual identification. Additionally, two whales produced different coda types in distinct foraging dive phases. Codas may therefore be used by sperm whales to convey information of identity as well as activity within a social group to a larger extent than previously assumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Oliveira
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre and Institute of Marine Research, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Universidade dos Açores, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal
| | - Magnus Wahlberg
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Mónica A Silva
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre and Institute of Marine Research, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Universidade dos Açores, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal
| | - Mark Johnson
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, United Kingdom
| | - Ricardo Antunes
- Ocean Giants Program, Global Conservation Programs, Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, New York 10460, USA
| | - Danuta M Wisniewska
- Zoophysiology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 116, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Andrea Fais
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - João Gonçalves
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre and Institute of Marine Research, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Universidade dos Açores, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal
| | - Peter T Madsen
- Zoophysiology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 116, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Borrell A, Velásquez Vacca A, Pinela AM, Kinze C, Lockyer CH, Vighi M, Aguilar A. Stable isotopes provide insight into population structure and segregation in eastern North Atlantic sperm whales. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82398. [PMID: 24324782 PMCID: PMC3855748 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 11/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In pelagic species inhabiting large oceans, genetic differentiation tends to be mild and populations devoid of structure. However, large cetaceans have provided many examples of structuring. Here we investigate whether the sperm whale, a pelagic species with large population sizes and reputedly highly mobile, shows indication of structuring in the eastern North Atlantic, an ocean basin in which a single population is believed to occur. To do so, we examined stable isotope values in sequential growth layer groups of teeth from individuals sampled in Denmark and NW Spain. In each layer we measured oxygen- isotope ratios (δ18O) in the inorganic component (hydroxyapatite), and nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios (δ15N: δ13C) in the organic component (primarily collagenous). We found significant differences between Denmark and NW Spain in δ15N and δ18O values in the layer deposited at age 3, considered to be the one best representing the baseline of the breeding ground, in δ15N, δ13C and δ18O values in the period up to age 20, and in the ontogenetic variation of δ15N and δ18O values. These differences evidence that diet composition, use of habitat and/or migratory destinations are dissimilar between whales from the two regions and suggest that the North Atlantic population of sperm whales is more structured than traditionally accepted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asunción Borrell
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biology and Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Adriana Velásquez Vacca
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biology and Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana M. Pinela
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biology and Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carl Kinze
- Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Morgana Vighi
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biology and Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alex Aguilar
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biology and Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Patriquin KJ, Palstra F, Leonard ML, Broders HG. Female northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) that roost together are related. Behav Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/art012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Colbeck GJ, Duchesne P, Postma LD, Lesage V, Hammill MO, Turgeon J. Groups of related belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) travel together during their seasonal migrations in and around Hudson Bay. Proc Biol Sci 2012; 280:20122552. [PMID: 23222451 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2012.2552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Social structure involving long-term associations with relatives should facilitate the learning of complex behaviours such as long-distance migration. In and around Hudson Bay (Canada), three stocks of beluga whales form a panmictic unit, but have different migratory behaviours associated with different summering areas. We analysed genetic variation at 13 microsatellite loci among 1524 belugas, to test hypotheses about social structure in belugas. We found significant proportions of mother-offspring pairs throughout the migratory cycle, but average relatedness extended beyond close kinship only during migration. Average relatedness was significantly above random expectations for pairs caught at the same site but on different days or months of a year, suggesting that belugas maintain associations with a network of relatives during migration. Pairs involving a female (female-female or male-female) were on average more related than pairs of males, and males seemed to disperse from their matrilineal group to associate with other mature males. Altogether, our results indicate that relatives other than strictly parents, and especially females, play a role in maintaining a social structure that could facilitate the learning of migration routes. Cultural conservatism may limit contributions from nearby summer stocks to endangered stocks such as the Eastern Hudson Bay beluga.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel J Colbeck
- Département de biologie, Pavillon Vachon, Université Laval, 1045 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, Québec, Canada
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Infection levels and diversity of anisakid nematodes in blackspot seabream, Pagellus bogaraveo, from Portuguese waters. Parasitol Res 2011; 110:1919-28. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2718-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2011] [Accepted: 11/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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ORTEGA-ORTIZ JOELG, ENGELHAUPT DANIEL, WINSOR MARTHA, MATE BRUCER, RUS HOELZEL A. Kinship of long-term associates in the highly social sperm whale. Mol Ecol 2011; 21:732-44. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2011.05274.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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