The vital rates of beluga, Delphinapterus leucas, harvested in northern Quebec are within the range reported by previous studies in Alaska and the Canadian and Soviet Arctic. Small sample size and inadequate estimates of survivorship rates prevent meaningful calculation of population growth rate. The pattern of changes in vital rates over the life cycle of beluga and analysis of errors associated with stage classification indicate that the demographic information in a 6 x 6 age-grouped Lefkovitch matrix is similar to that in a 38 x 38 age class Leslie matrix. A 3 stage, length-based model composed of newborns, juveniles and adults contains less demographic information than the larger matrices, but is superior to a juvenile/adult classification scheme. The 3 stage model applied to length frequency data from aerial photographic censuses should provide an alternate method of demographic analysis when harvests are small or absent. Colour is a poor criterion for stage classification. / Sensitivity analysis of fecundity and survivorship indicates that survival of gray animals (older juveniles and early breeders) has the most influence on population growth rate. Changes in fecundity have little effect on growth rate. The high sensitivity of population growth rate to juvenile and early adult survival demonstrates that these estimates should be improved if more precise knowledge of beluga demography is required for management purposes. / The age-length data used to evaluate errors associated with stage classification indicate that belugas in Hudson Bay are smaller than those elsewhere, but not to the large degree previously reported. Beluga in estuaries are represented by all size classes. Examination of the integumentary heat loss show beluga and narwhal, Monodon monoceros, to be equally insulated, but only belugas frequent warmer estuarine waters.

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Thesis (M.Sc.). / Written for the Dept. of Natural Resource Science. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2008/01/15). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2003. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-67). Also available online.

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No description available.

Thesis (Ph.D.] -- McMaster University, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-155). Also available via World Wide Web.

Distributional data from 32 years of aerial surveys of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) along the south coast of South Africa were investigated using GIS, over a variety of spatial and temporal scales to test whether their discontinuous yet predictable distribution is related to environmental characteristics. Most whales were found in areas that provided reasonable protection from open ocean swell and seasonal winds as well as having sedimentary floors with gentle slopes, despite these characteristics being less common. Correlation type analyses with whale density only showed significance at the broadest scale. Cow-calf pairs were found significantly closer to shore and in shallower water than unaccompanied whales; they also segregated longshore in nursery areas. No relationship between reproductive success and distribution was found except a higher than expected incidence of neonatal strandings in areas dominated by unaccompanied whales. Habitat choice at this time of year was concluded to be related both to energy conservation for calves and lactating females and protection of neonates. / Dissertation (MSc (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted