A30 matriline

The A30 matrilineal [1] is the name given to the most commonly seen orca matriline in British Columbia.[2] The matriline is currently made of 2 generations, with a total of 10 individuals. It is one of the 3 matrilines in A1 pod, one of the 10 pods of the A-clan. The matriline was present in over 60% of all of the encounters in the Johnstone Strait region, making it one of the best known matrilines. The group's size has increased, from 6 in the mid-1970s to 10 as of 2013, including 4 calves. It is most frequently seen in Johnstone Strait from late spring to early fall, often traveling with other pods of the Northern Resident Community.

Current Individuals

Deceased Individuals

A30 Matrilineal as Research Subjects

This matriline has been studied extensively, particularly in order to establish vocal behavior among Killer Whales. One study of this matriline established that Killer Whales increase the use of family-specific calls shortly after the birth of a calf.[4] This increased calling is believed to facilitate the learning of the family-based calls and assist in maintaining family cohesion.[4] This matriline was also studied in an effort to understand how calls vary among pods and among matrilines within pods.[2]

Current status

As of 2013, the A30 Matriline is formed by ten whales. In 1999 Tsitika's first grand calf arrived and that was Clio (A50)'s first offspring, Bend (A72). In 2001 the family welcomed the arrival of Cedar (A75), Blinkhorn (A54)'s first offspring and in 2005 Clio gave birth to her second calf, Klaoitsis (A84). In 2006 Blinkhorn gave birth to Cutter (A86). By using DNA testing it was found out that Bend (A72) is a female around last summer. The newest addition to the A30 matriline is Blinkhorn's third calf, A94, born in 2009. The A30s are still one of the most frequently encountered matrilines. In the summer, they are often seen in the company of other A1 subpods or with A4 or A5 Pod.

See also

References

  1. "The A30 Matriline". orcalab.org. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
  2. 1 2 Miller, P. & Bain, D. "Within-pod variation in the sound production of a pod of killer whales, Orcinus orca" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-02-13.
  3. "A30 Clan". killerwhale.org. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
  4. 1 2 Welss, B., Ladich, F., Spong, P. & Symonds, H. (2005). "Vocal behavior of resident killer whale matrilines with newborn calves: The effect of family signatures" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-02-13.

External links

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