Social structure of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in a variable low-latitude environment, the Galápagos Archipelago

Judith Denkinger; Daniela Alarcón; Bitinia Espinosa; Lynn Fowler; Cindy Manning; Javier Ona; Daniel M. Palacios

doi:10.1111/mms.12672

Back

Social structure of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in a variable low-latitude environment, the Galápagos Archipelago

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Social structure of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in a variable low-latitude environment, the Galápagos Archipelago

Judith Denkinger, Daniela Alarcón, Bitinia Espinosa, Lynn Fowler, Cindy Manning, Javier Ona and Daniel M. Palacios

Marine Mammal Science, Vol.36(3), pp.774-785

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12672

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12672View

Published Version

Abstract

association

Galapagos Archipelago

group size

killer whale

Orcinus orca

photo-identifiecation

pod

residency

social structure

Killer whales (Orcinus orca) have strong social matrilineal bonds and form groups and long-lasting associations, but little is known about their population or social structure in an equatorial setting such as the waters around the Galapagos Islands. Using 91 encounters and identification photographs from 1991 to 2017, we identified 64 killer whales of which 18 individuals were locals with high resighting rates. Group size was small, ranging from 1 to 15 animals, with 69% of the groups containing four or fewer animals. Using social network analysis (SOCPROG 2.7) whales grouped into three distinct units and one loose association with frequent exchange between different groups. One male-male unit showed a strong association (association strength = 0.55). Overall, associations lasted over at least 3 years. Our data give first evidence of a loose social organization of Galapagos killer whales, similar to fission-fusion societies.

Details

Title: Social structure of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in a variable low-latitude environment, the Galápagos Archipelago
Authors: Judith Denkinger (Corresponding Author) - Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Daniela Alarcón (Author) - Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Bitinia Espinosa (Author) - Celebrity Cruises
Lynn Fowler (Author) - Lindblad Expeditions
Cindy Manning (Author) - Lindblad Expeditions
Javier Ona (Author) - Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Daniel M. Palacios (Author) - Oregon State University
Publication details: Marine Mammal Science, Vol.36(3), pp.774-785
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Inc.
DOI: 10.1111/mms.12672
ISSN: 1748-7692
Organisation Unit: School of Science, Technology and Engineering; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99640778102621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

40 Record Views

12 Times Cited - Web of Science

See more details

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Marine & Freshwater Biology; Zoology

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites