Transient Pods

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Abstract Worldwide populations of killer whales (Orcinus Orca) have long been thought to be an individual species with a unique cultural component. Transient and Resident orcas have long been studied to determine the cause of their starkly different societies and prey predilection. Until recently, they were considered to be no more than ecotypes of one another—genetically identical although behaviorally very different. Recent research, however (the discovery of a drastically dissimilar pod in Antarctic waters) has led scientists to question this classification and contemplate the real possibility that these divergent groups could in fact be genetically isolated species. With this being the case, much more care must be given to preserve the…show more content…
They feed primarily on salmon and travel in pods of 15-30 individuals. The pods are matriarchal and it is typical for the offspring to spend their entire lives with their mothers. The dorsal fins of residents are rounded with a sharp angle on the trailing edge. (Ford, Ellis, & Balcomb, 1994) Transient Pods Transient orcas travel in much smaller groups; a pod usually has no more than 5-7 individual members. The home range of transients is much harder to define than that of the residents. As the nickname suggests, transient pods roam in search of food. They eat marine mammals almost exclusively: seals, porpoises, sea lions, and even other whales. The social structure of the transients is more difficult to define; it appears to be much more fluid with distantly-related members often changing pods. In my personal observations and time spent on the waters of Monterey Bay in California I have seen transient orcas who have been photo identified in waters as far south as Catalina Island and as far north as Alaska, in each location with different travel companions. They travel great distances, often following a preferred food. (In Monterey it is the gray whale…show more content…
Records of drastically dissimilar examples are begging the question: Can this truly be accounted for by predatory adaptation? It certainly appears to be otherwise, despite limited evidence, it appears almost certain that there are genetic variations among the differing subgroups of killer whales. Research undertaken by A.R. Hoelzel, a renowned expert on killer whales “indicated highly significant genetic differentiation at both nuclear and mitochondrial loci. This differentiation is at a level consistent with intraspecific variation” (Hoelzel, Dahlheim, & Stern,

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