Stable isotopes reveal winter feeding in different habitats in blue, fin and sei whales migrating through the Azores
Knowing the migratory movements and behaviour of baleen whales is fundamental to understanding their ecology. We compared δ15N and δ13C values in the skin of blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and sei (Balaenoptera borealis) whales sighted in the Azores in spring with the valu...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:7f5313e82b024ff8a8d73a27cf11d93a 2023-05-15T15:36:14+02:00 Stable isotopes reveal winter feeding in different habitats in blue, fin and sei whales migrating through the Azores Mónica A. Silva Asunción Borrell Rui Prieto Pauline Gauffier Martine Bérubé Per J. Palsbøl Ana Colaço 2019-08-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.181800 https://doaj.org/article/7f5313e82b024ff8a8d73a27cf11d93a EN eng The Royal Society https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.181800 https://doaj.org/toc/2054-5703 2054-5703 doi:10.1098/rsos.181800 https://doaj.org/article/7f5313e82b024ff8a8d73a27cf11d93a Royal Society Open Science, Vol 6, Iss 8 (2019) winter migration trophic ecology balaenoptera musculus balaenoptera physalus balaenoptera borealis stable isotopes Science Q article 2019 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.181800 2022-12-31T13:37:11Z Knowing the migratory movements and behaviour of baleen whales is fundamental to understanding their ecology. We compared δ15N and δ13C values in the skin of blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and sei (Balaenoptera borealis) whales sighted in the Azores in spring with the values of potential prey from different regions within the North Atlantic using Bayesian mixing models to investigate their trophic ecology and migration patterns. Fin whale δ15N values were higher than those recorded in blue and sei whales, reflecting feeding at higher trophic levels. Whales' skin δ15N and δ13C values did not reflect prey from high-latitude summer foraging grounds; instead mixing models identified tropical or subtropical regions as the most likely feeding areas for all species during winter and spring. Yet, differences in δ13C values among whale species suggest use of different regions within this range. Blue and sei whales primarily used resources from the Northwest African upwelling and pelagic tropical/subtropical regions, while fin whales fed off Iberia. However, determining feeding habitats from stable isotope values remains difficult. In conclusion, winter feeding appears common among North Atlantic blue, fin and sei whales, and may play a crucial role in determining their winter distribution. A better understanding of winter feeding behaviour is therefore fundamental for the effective conservation of these species. Article in Journal/Newspaper Balaenoptera borealis Balaenoptera musculus Balaenoptera physalus baleen whales Fin whale North Atlantic Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Royal Society Open Science 6 8 181800 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
winter migration trophic ecology balaenoptera musculus balaenoptera physalus balaenoptera borealis stable isotopes Science Q |
spellingShingle |
winter migration trophic ecology balaenoptera musculus balaenoptera physalus balaenoptera borealis stable isotopes Science Q Mónica A. Silva Asunción Borrell Rui Prieto Pauline Gauffier Martine Bérubé Per J. Palsbøl Ana Colaço Stable isotopes reveal winter feeding in different habitats in blue, fin and sei whales migrating through the Azores |
topic_facet |
winter migration trophic ecology balaenoptera musculus balaenoptera physalus balaenoptera borealis stable isotopes Science Q |
description |
Knowing the migratory movements and behaviour of baleen whales is fundamental to understanding their ecology. We compared δ15N and δ13C values in the skin of blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and sei (Balaenoptera borealis) whales sighted in the Azores in spring with the values of potential prey from different regions within the North Atlantic using Bayesian mixing models to investigate their trophic ecology and migration patterns. Fin whale δ15N values were higher than those recorded in blue and sei whales, reflecting feeding at higher trophic levels. Whales' skin δ15N and δ13C values did not reflect prey from high-latitude summer foraging grounds; instead mixing models identified tropical or subtropical regions as the most likely feeding areas for all species during winter and spring. Yet, differences in δ13C values among whale species suggest use of different regions within this range. Blue and sei whales primarily used resources from the Northwest African upwelling and pelagic tropical/subtropical regions, while fin whales fed off Iberia. However, determining feeding habitats from stable isotope values remains difficult. In conclusion, winter feeding appears common among North Atlantic blue, fin and sei whales, and may play a crucial role in determining their winter distribution. A better understanding of winter feeding behaviour is therefore fundamental for the effective conservation of these species. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Mónica A. Silva Asunción Borrell Rui Prieto Pauline Gauffier Martine Bérubé Per J. Palsbøl Ana Colaço |
author_facet |
Mónica A. Silva Asunción Borrell Rui Prieto Pauline Gauffier Martine Bérubé Per J. Palsbøl Ana Colaço |
author_sort |
Mónica A. Silva |
title |
Stable isotopes reveal winter feeding in different habitats in blue, fin and sei whales migrating through the Azores |
title_short |
Stable isotopes reveal winter feeding in different habitats in blue, fin and sei whales migrating through the Azores |
title_full |
Stable isotopes reveal winter feeding in different habitats in blue, fin and sei whales migrating through the Azores |
title_fullStr |
Stable isotopes reveal winter feeding in different habitats in blue, fin and sei whales migrating through the Azores |
title_full_unstemmed |
Stable isotopes reveal winter feeding in different habitats in blue, fin and sei whales migrating through the Azores |
title_sort |
stable isotopes reveal winter feeding in different habitats in blue, fin and sei whales migrating through the azores |
publisher |
The Royal Society |
publishDate |
2019 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.181800 https://doaj.org/article/7f5313e82b024ff8a8d73a27cf11d93a |
genre |
Balaenoptera borealis Balaenoptera musculus Balaenoptera physalus baleen whales Fin whale North Atlantic |
genre_facet |
Balaenoptera borealis Balaenoptera musculus Balaenoptera physalus baleen whales Fin whale North Atlantic |
op_source |
Royal Society Open Science, Vol 6, Iss 8 (2019) |
op_relation |
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.181800 https://doaj.org/toc/2054-5703 2054-5703 doi:10.1098/rsos.181800 https://doaj.org/article/7f5313e82b024ff8a8d73a27cf11d93a |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.181800 |
container_title |
Royal Society Open Science |
container_volume |
6 |
container_issue |
8 |
container_start_page |
181800 |
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1766366579098910720 |