Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1984. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-104).

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 30-36). Also available via the Internet.

In this study, I characterize the maternal care patterns of humpback whales in southeast Alaska. Through a study of proximity behaviour, I show that humpbacks behave similarly to terrestrial ungulate 'followers': the cow and calf are rarely more than several body lengths apart; proximity between the cow and calf is greatest during periods of travel relative to other behaviours; and, proximity is greatest when the dive behaviour of the pair is synchronized. Unlike that observed in typical follower species, however, proximity is not found to decrease significantly as the pair's association lengthens. To account for this, I argue that the length of the observation period was insufficient to detect such a trend since maternal pairs remain together for several months after the last observations. In addition, I analyze the diving behaviour of the maternal pair to examine the potential negative consequences for the female associated with the follower tactic in humpbacks. The results suggest that several behavioural modifications are made by the cow and calf in an effort to minimize the duration of separation between the two. Ultimately, I argue that behaviour observed in humpback whales is commensurate in function with following behaviour in terrestrial ungulate followers. Humpbacks are migratory, and as in many migratory species, following behaviour provides a mechanism whereby the maternal dyad can maintain close proximity during periods of travel. Moreover, as with many follower species, humpbacks can rely upon their large size as a means of defence against offspring predation. Finally, although obvious differences exist between the habitats in which humpbacks and ungulate followers reside, arguably both are open habitats that lack the cover necessary to allow for offspring concealment.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Delaware, 2006. / Principal faculty advisor: Douglas W. Tallamy, Dept. of Entomology & Wildlife Ecology. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute. / Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Australia, 2005.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 2004. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-84).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Illinois State University, 1981. / Title from title page screen, viewed March 23, 2005. Dissertation Committee: Jack A. Ward (chair), H. Hetzel, D. Birkenholz, J. Caine, B. Drummond, W. Riddle. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 317-331) and abstract. Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of California, Santa Cruz, 1984. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 35-37).

Thesis (M.S.) -- Central Connecticut State University, 2005. / Thesis advisor: Thomas King. "... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Sciences in Biological Science." Includes bibliographical references (leaf 33). Also available via the World Wide Web.