Mother knows best: occurrence and associations of resighted humpback whales suggest maternally derived fidelity to a southern hemisphere coastal feeding ground

Site fidelity is common among migratory cetaceans, including humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). In the Northern Hemisphere it has been found that fidelity to humpback whale feeding grounds is transferred maternally but this has never been shown for the species in the Southern Hemisphere. We examined this in a unique feeding area off west South Africa using resighting data of 68 individually identified humpback whales by means of photographic (tail flukes and dorsal fins) and/or molecular methods (microsatellite genotyping) over an 18 year span. We found short-term association patterns and recurrent visits typical of other feeding grounds. Males and females had different seasonality of attendance. Significant female-dominated presence corresponded to timing of an expected influx of females on their southward migration from the breeding ground: firstly non-nursing (possibly pregnant) females in mid-spring, and mothers and calves in mid-to late summer. The potential benefit of this mid-latitude feeding area for females is illustrated by a record of a cow with known age of at least 23 years that produced calves in three consecutive years, each of which survived to at least six months of age: the first record of successful post-partum ovulation for this species in the Southern Hemisphere. We recorded association of a weaned calf with its mother, and a recurring association between a non-lactating female and male over more than two years. Moreover, three animals first identified as calves returned to the same area in subsequent years, sometimes on the same day as their mothers. This, together with numerous Parent-Offspring relations detected genetically among and between resighted and non-resighted whales is strongly suggestive of maternally derived site fidelity at a small spatial scale by a small sub-population of humpback whales.National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa [2047517]; PADI Project AWARE (UK) [095]; Earthwatch Institute (project title "Whales of South Africa"

Analyses of ovarian activity reveal repeated evolution of post-reproductive lifespans in toothed whales

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Springer Nature via the DOI in this recordIn most species the reproductive system ages at the same rate as somatic tissue and individuals continue reproducing until death. However, females of three species – humans, killer whales and short-finned pilot whales – have been shown to display a markedly increased rate of reproductive senescence relative to somatic ageing. In these species, a significant proportion of females live beyond their reproductive lifespan: they have a post-reproductive lifespan. Research into this puzzling life-history strategy is hindered by the difficulties of quantifying the rate of reproductive senescence in wild populations. Here we present a method for measuring the relative rate of reproductive 25 senescence in toothed whales using published physiological data. Of the sixteen species for which 26 data are available (which does not include killer whales), we find that three have a significant post27 reproductive lifespan: short-finned pilot whales, beluga whales and narwhals. Phylogenetic reconstruction suggests that female post-reproductive lifespans have evolved several times independently in toothed whales. Our study is the first evidence of a significant post-reproductive lifespan in beluga whales and narwhals which, when taken together with the evidence for post31 reproductive lifespan in killer whales, doubles the number of non-human mammals known to exhibit post-reproductive lifespans in the wild.Support for this research was provided by a grant from NERC (NE/K01286X/1) awarded to DPC, DWF and MAC

Linking teaching and research in the field of public health: the Bulgarian experience Vinculando ensino e pesquisa na área de saúde pública: a experiência búlgara

We describe our perception of the link between teaching and research at South West University (SWU) in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. This analysis is based on a reflection of the existing curricula and research infrastructure at the Faculty of Public Health and Sports (FPHS) and a literature review of currently explored concepts and definitions connected to linking teaching and research. The research was conducted from April to December 2011 and was financed by the university. On the basis of our review we have proposed a framework for integrating teaching, research, and practice for the FPHS. We describe the key prerequisites for linking research and teaching and its clinical representation in Bachelor and Master's degree programs with the aim of encouraging critical thinking and clinical problem-solving skills in students and teachers.<br>O texto descreve nossa percepção do vínculo entre ensino e pesquisa na South West University (SWU) em Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. Essa análise é baseada em uma reflexão sobre o currículo e infraestrutura de pesquisa existentes na Faculdade de Saúde Pública e Esportes (Faculty of Public Health and Sports - FPHS) e em uma revisão da literatura referente aos conceitos e definições atualmente explorados na conexão entre ensino e pesquisa. A pesquisa foi conduzida entre abril e dezembro de 2011, e foi financiada pela universidade. Com base na revisão, foi feita umaa proposta para integração de ensino, pesquisa e prática na FPHS. São descritos os pré-requisitos essenciais para vincular ensino e pesquisa e sua representação clínica em programas de graduação e pós-graduação no nível de Mestrado, com o objetivo de incentivar o pensamento crítico e as habilidades de resolução de problemas clínicos em estudantes e docentes