Our studies of cetacean ecology are meant to complement research on cetacean abundance and stock structure - each the focus of other programs within the Protected Resources Division. We investigate habitat relationships as defined by oceanographic parameters and how variation in habitat distribution affects patterns in abundance, foraging ecology, community patterns, and evolutionary ecology.
Selected Publications
Redfern, J. V., M. C. Ferguson, E. A. Becker, K. D. Hyrenbach, C. Good, J. Barlow, K. Kaschner, M. F. Baumgartner, K. A. Forney, L. T. Ballance, P. Fauchald, P. Halpin, T. Hamazaki, A.J. Pershing, S.S. Qian, A. Read, S.B. Reilly, L. Torres, and F. Werner. 2006. Techniques for cetacean-habitat modeling. Marine Ecology Progress Series, in press.
Ballance, L.T., R.L. Pitman, and P.C. Fiedler. 2006. Oceanographic influences on seabirds and cetaceans of the eastern tropical Pacific: a review. Progress in Oceanography 69:360-390.
Ballance, L.T. 2002. Cetacean Ecology. Pages 208-214 in: Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. W.F. Perrin, B. Wьrsig and J.G.M. Thewissen (eds.). Academic Press, San Diego.
Pitman, R.L. 2002. Alive and whale: a missing species of whale resurfaces in the tropics. Natural History 111(7):32-36.
Pitman, R.L. 2002. Mesoplont whales (Mesoplodon spp.). Pages 738-742 in: Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. W.F. Perrin, B. Wьrsig and J.G.M. Thewissen (eds.) Academic Press, San Diego.
Pitman, R.L. 2002. Indo- Pacific Beaked Whale (Indopacetus pacificus). Pages 615-617 in: Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. W.F. Perrin, B. Wьrsig and J.G.M. Thewissen (eds.) Academic Press, San Diego.
Pitman, R. L. and C. Stinchcomb. 2002. Rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) as predators of mahimahi (Coryphaena hippurus). Pacific Science 56(4):447-450.
Ballance, L.T., R.C. Anderson, R.L. Pitman, K. Stafford, A. Shaan, Z. Waheed, and R.L. Brownell, Jr. 2001. Cetacean sightings around the Republic of the Maldives, April 1998. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 3(2):213-218.
Pitman, R.L. and M. S. Lynn. 2001. Biological observations of an unidentified mesoplodont whale in the eastern tropical Pacific and probable identity: Mesoplodon peruvianus. Marine Mammal Science 17(3):648-657.
Pitman, R.L., L.T. Ballance, S. L. Mesnick, and S. J. Chivers. 2001. Killer whale predation on sperm whales: observations and implications. Marine Mammal Science 17(3):494-507.
Pitman, R.L., D.M. Palacios, P.L.R. Brennan, B.J. Brennan, K.C. Balcomb, and P. Miyashita. 1999. Sightings and possible identity of a bottlenose whale in the tropical Indo-Pacific: Indopacetus pacificus? Marine Mammal Science 15:531-549.
Pitman, R.L. and S.J. Chivers. 1998/1999. Terror in black and white. Natural History 107:26-29.
Ballance. L.T. and R.L. Pitman. 1998. Cetaceans of the Western Tropical Indian Ocean: Distribution, Relative Abundance, and Comparisons with Cetacean Communities of Two Other Tropical Ecosystems. Marine Mammal Science 14(3):429-459.
Fiedler, P. C. , J. Barlow and T. Gerrodette. 1998. Dolphin prey abundance determined from acoustic backscatter data in eastern Pacific surveys. Fishery Bulletin 96:237-247.
Jefferson, T.A., R.L. Pitman, S. Leatherwood, and M.L.L. Dolar. 1997. Developmental and sexual variation in the external appearance of Fraser's dolphins (Lagenodelphis hosei). Aquatic Mammals 23:145-153.
Pitman, R.L. 1996. Marine mammals of Rocas Alijos. Pages 363-364 in: Rocas Alijos. Scientific results from the Cordell expeditions. R.W. Schmieder (ed.). Kluwer Academic Publishers, London.
Fiedler, P. C., and S. B. Reilly. 1994. Interannual variability of dolphin habitats in the eastern tropical Pacific. II: effects on abundances estimated from tuna vessel sightings, 1975 - 1990. Fishery Bulletin 92:451-463.
Reilly, S. B., and P. C. Fiedler. 1994. Interannual variability of dolphin habitats in the eastern tropical Pacific. I: research vessel surveys, 1986 - 1990. Fishery Bulletin 92:434-450.
Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood, L.K.M. Shoda, and R.L. Pitman. 1992. Marine mammals of the Gulf of Mexico: A field guide for aerial and shipboard observers. Texas A & M University Printing Center, College Station, TX . 92 pp.
Reilly, S. B. 1990. Seasonal changes in distribution and habitat differences among dolphins in the eastern tropical Pacific. Marine Ecology Progress Series 66:1-11.
Reilly, S. B., and V. G. Thayer. 1990. Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) distribution in the eastern tropical Pacific. Marine Mammal Science 6:265-277.
Pitman, R.L., Anelio Aguayo-L., and Jorge Urban-R. 1987. Observations of an unidentified beaked whale (Mesoplodon sp.) in the eastern tropical Pacific. Marine Mammal Science 3:345-352.