Distribution and movements of West Indian humpback whales in winter

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The humpback whales which winter in the West Indies are principally found over banks which are at latitudes between 10.degree. and 22.degree.N, have substantial areas of the flat bottom between 15 and 60 m deep, and lie < 30 km from the North Atlantic 2000 m contour. The surface sea temperatures in these areas are between 24 and 28.degree. C. The major concentrations of the humpbacks, which feed little in winter, are on Silver and Navidad banks. On Silver Bank the humpback and humpback song densities peak in the center of the Bank. Mothers with calves are generally found in areas of calm water, and singers are found over aeas with a flat bottom, where they meander slowly. Larger groups move considerably faster and in straighter lines. There is no evidence of whales possessing particular movement patterns, preferred ranges, or territories within the Bank. The concentration of humpbacks may be a significant feature for other humpbacks.

This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit: