Inter-Research > MEPS > v645 > p219-234  
MEPS
Marine Ecology Progress Series

via Mailchimp

MEPS 645:219-234 (2020)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13344

Short-term responses of sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus to the attachment of suction cup tags

Victoria E. Warren1,2,*, Patrick J. O. Miller1, Peter L. Tyack1

1Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, UK
2Present address: Leigh Marine Laboratory, Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 0985, New Zealand
*Corresponding author:

ABSTRACT: Animal-mounted data logging devices are used to study the behaviour, physiology, and ecology of free-ranging marine mammals, as well as their reactions to controlled exposures. It is important to consider whether collected data are representative of natural behaviour or biased by responses to tagging. In species with stereotypical diving behaviour, tagging responses can be quantified by identifying anomalous dives. Data from 36 suction cup tag deployments on sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus from 4 locations were analysed to consider whether tagging effects were evident within 5 dive parameters: maximum dive depth, dive duration, descent speed, depth difference between start of clicking and first prey capture attempt, and buzz rate. Linear mixed models were generated for each response parameter and covariates for dive index were added to assess whether model fit improved when the order of dives was taken into account. Time-decaying tagging effects were noted in maximum dive depth (first dives were 25% shallower than average) and buzz rate (first dives contained 34% fewer buzzes per minute than average). In the Azores, the first 3 dives subsequent to tag attachment featured faster descent speeds than average. The whales were likely responding to the cumulative ‘dose’ of research activity at the surface: multiple boat approaches, tag placement, and general disturbance. Disturbance should be minimised during tagging, and the extent and duration of responses should be quantified. Modelling of quantified tagging responses could enable correction of these responses in tag data.


KEY WORDS: Biotelemetry · Sperm whale · Physeter macrocephalus · Suction cup tag · Tagging effect · Diving behaviour


Full text in pdf format
Supplementary material
Cite this article as: Warren VE, Miller PJO, Tyack PL (2020) Short-term responses of sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus to the attachment of suction cup tags. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 645:219-234. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13344

Export citation
Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn

 Previous article