Asymmetry of pectoral flipper use in the orca Orcinus orca (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Avachinskii Bay (Eastern Kamchatka)


Cite item

Full Text

Open Access Open Access
Restricted Access Access granted
Restricted Access Subscription Access

Abstract

Asymmetrical forelimb use is characteristic of many mammalian species. However, little is known about this phenomenon in cetaceans. We examined the asymmetry in pectoral flipper use by the wild orca Orcinus orca (Linnaeus, 1758). During observations from motor boats in the Avachinskii Bay (East Kamchatka) we recorded the use of flippers in slapping the water by individually identified resident (fish-eating) orcas. The studied individuals mostly used their right flipper. The revealed right-sided bias presumably reflects the pivotal role of the left brain hemisphere in the control of forelimb movements, which is consistent with the data that have been obtained for other cetacean species.

About the authors

A. N. Giljov

St. Petersburg State University

Email: y.malashichev@spbu.ru
Russian Federation, Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, St. Petersburg, 199034

K. A. Karenina

St. Petersburg State University

Email: y.malashichev@spbu.ru
Russian Federation, Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, St. Petersburg, 199034

T. V. Ivkovich

St. Petersburg State University

Email: y.malashichev@spbu.ru
Russian Federation, Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, St. Petersburg, 199034

Y. B. Malashichev

St. Petersburg State University; Institute of Experimental Medicine

Author for correspondence.
Email: y.malashichev@spbu.ru
Russian Federation, Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, St. Petersburg, 199034; ul. Akad. Pavlova 12, St. Petersburg, 197376

Supplementary files

Supplementary Files
Action
1. JATS XML

Copyright (c) 2016 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.