Date of Award
5-11-2025
Date Published
June 2025
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
Advisor(s)
Susan Parks
Subject Categories
Biology | Life Sciences
Abstract
Lateralization is the specialization that enhances an organism’s survival by dedicating specific tasks to the hemispheres of the brain, strengthening neural pathways to enhance speed and dexterity of task performance. First described in humans in 1861, lateralization has also been observed in non-human organisms where it often plays a critical role in predator-prey dynamics. Lateralized behaviors for prey foraging, social interactions, and communication have been described in some species of marine mammals from across all three distinct taxonomic orders. In the Order Cetacea, toothed and baleen whale species exhibit lateralized foraging behaviors for prey capture. In this study, I investigated the lateral foraging patterns of two Rorqual whale species, the fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and sei (B. borealis) whales. Rorqual whales use lunge feeding to capture small shoaling prey. Fin whales feed on more maneuverable prey and at a higher trophic level than sei whales. Based on the prediction that lateralization of behavior should enhance speed and dexterity of an action, I predict that evidence for lateralization will be stronger for fin whales than sei whales in lateral lunge feeding behaviors. Data were collected in the nearshore waters of the Gulf of Maine and Southern New England. A total of 28 tag deployments were used in this study (fin whales, n = 16; sei whales, n = 12). The roll data from the tag was analyzed through the accelerometer sensors to identify lateral lunge feeding events, and a lateral index (LI) was calculated alongside generalized linear mixed models for statistical analysis. Despite my predictions, I found no significant difference between the two species with regards to lateralization of their lunge feeding behaviors. Future studies should refine data analysis by incorporating direct behavioral observations, other kinematic variables, and conducting prey sampling to better understand their influence on lateralized lunge feeding behaviors.
Access
Open Access
Recommended Citation
Eschmann, Alex, "The Investigation of Lateral Foraging Patterns in Fin and Sei Whales" (2025). Theses - ALL. 917.
https://surface.syr.edu/thesis/917
