Research Techniques

Photo-identification

Individual whales will be identified by photographing the tail fluke. Each whale has a unique pigmentation pattern on the ventral side of its fluke, in addition to a unique serration pattern on the tail’s trailing edge [1]. These photographs will be taken from small or large vessels, using digital cameras equipped with a 75-300 mm telephoto lens.

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Biopsy Sampling

A biopsy dart is fitted with a small stainless steel cylinder. The dart is then fired from a crossbow or modified veterinary rifle. The dart is aimed at the flank of the whale just below the dorsal fin. Each dart possesses a large stopper that limits the dart’s penetration to several centimeters. The dart then recoils, while removing a small tissue sample of skin and blubber. The stopper is positively buoyant and allows the dart to be retrieved from the surface of the water following a biopsy attempt. This is a common technique that has been used for tissue sampling on a number of marine mammals. This technique has been quite successful, causing minimal harm to the whale [2-6].

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Literature Cited

1. Katona, S., et al., Identification of humpback whales by fluke photographs. 1979.

2. Gauthier, J. and R. Sears, Behavioral response of four species of Balaenopterid whales to biopsy sampling. Marine Mammal Science, 1999. 15(1): p. 85-101.

3. Clapham, P.J. and D.K. Mattila, Reactions of humpback whales to skin biopsy sampling on a West Indies breeding ground. Marine Mammal Science, 1993. 9(4): p. 382-391.

4. Brown, M.R., et al., Behavioral responses of east Australian humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae to biopsy sampling. Marine Mammal Science, 1994. 10(4): p. 391-400.

5. Weinrich, M.T., et al., Behavioral reactions of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae to biopsy procedures. U S National Marine Fisheries Service Fishery Bulletin, 1992. 90(3): p. 588-598.

6. Palsboll, P.J., F. Larsen, and E.S. Hansen, Sampling of skin biopsies from free-ranging large cetaceans in west Greenland: development of new biopsy tips and bolt designs. 1991.

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