Mechanics, hydrodynamics and energetics of blue whale lunge feeding: efficiency dependence on krill density
Lunge feeding by rorqual whales (Balaenopteridae) is associated with a high energetic cost that decreases diving capacity, thereby limiting access to dense prey patches at depth. Despite this cost, rorquals exhibit high rates of lipid deposition and extremely large maximum body size. To address this...
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Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10088/17622 https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.048157 |
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ftsmithonian:oai:repository.si.edu:10088/17622 2023-05-15T15:36:23+02:00 Mechanics, hydrodynamics and energetics of blue whale lunge feeding: efficiency dependence on krill density Goldbogen, J. A. Calambokidis, J. Oleson, E. Potvin, J. Pyenson, Nicholas D. Schorr, G. Shadwick, R. E. 2011 application/pdf http://hdl.handle.net/10088/17622 https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.048157 unknown Journal of Experimental Biology Goldbogen, J. A., Calambokidis, J., Oleson, E., Potvin, J., Pyenson, Nicholas D., Schorr, G., and Shadwick, R. E. 2011. " Mechanics, hydrodynamics and energetics of blue whale lunge feeding: efficiency dependence on krill density ." Journal of Experimental Biology . 214 (1):131–146. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.048157 0022-0949 http://hdl.handle.net/10088/17622 93622 doi:10.1242/jeb.048157 Journal Article 2011 ftsmithonian https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.048157 2020-09-09T18:32:26Z Lunge feeding by rorqual whales (Balaenopteridae) is associated with a high energetic cost that decreases diving capacity, thereby limiting access to dense prey patches at depth. Despite this cost, rorquals exhibit high rates of lipid deposition and extremely large maximum body size. To address this paradox, we integrated kinematic data from digital tags with unsteady hydrodynamic models to estimate the energy budget for lunges and foraging dives of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), the largest rorqual and living mammal. Our analysis suggests that, despite the large amount of mechanical work required to lunge feed, a large amount of prey and, therefore, energy is obtained during engulfment. Furthermore, we suggest that foraging efficiency for blue whales is significantly higher than for other marine mammals by nearly an order of magnitude, but only if lunges target extremely high densities of krill. The high predicted efficiency is attributed to the enhanced engulfment capacity, rapid filter rate and low mass-specific metabolic rate associated with large body size in blue whales. These results highlight the importance of high prey density, regardless of prey patch depth, for efficient bulk filter feeding in baleen whales and may explain some diel changes in foraging behavior in rorqual whales. NH-Paleobiology NMNH Peer-reviewed Article in Journal/Newspaper Balaenoptera musculus baleen whales Blue whale Unknown Rorqual ENVELOPE(-62.311,-62.311,-65.648,-65.648) Journal of Experimental Biology 214 1 131 146 |
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Lunge feeding by rorqual whales (Balaenopteridae) is associated with a high energetic cost that decreases diving capacity, thereby limiting access to dense prey patches at depth. Despite this cost, rorquals exhibit high rates of lipid deposition and extremely large maximum body size. To address this paradox, we integrated kinematic data from digital tags with unsteady hydrodynamic models to estimate the energy budget for lunges and foraging dives of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), the largest rorqual and living mammal. Our analysis suggests that, despite the large amount of mechanical work required to lunge feed, a large amount of prey and, therefore, energy is obtained during engulfment. Furthermore, we suggest that foraging efficiency for blue whales is significantly higher than for other marine mammals by nearly an order of magnitude, but only if lunges target extremely high densities of krill. The high predicted efficiency is attributed to the enhanced engulfment capacity, rapid filter rate and low mass-specific metabolic rate associated with large body size in blue whales. These results highlight the importance of high prey density, regardless of prey patch depth, for efficient bulk filter feeding in baleen whales and may explain some diel changes in foraging behavior in rorqual whales. NH-Paleobiology NMNH Peer-reviewed |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Goldbogen, J. A. Calambokidis, J. Oleson, E. Potvin, J. Pyenson, Nicholas D. Schorr, G. Shadwick, R. E. |
spellingShingle |
Goldbogen, J. A. Calambokidis, J. Oleson, E. Potvin, J. Pyenson, Nicholas D. Schorr, G. Shadwick, R. E. Mechanics, hydrodynamics and energetics of blue whale lunge feeding: efficiency dependence on krill density |
author_facet |
Goldbogen, J. A. Calambokidis, J. Oleson, E. Potvin, J. Pyenson, Nicholas D. Schorr, G. Shadwick, R. E. |
author_sort |
Goldbogen, J. A. |
title |
Mechanics, hydrodynamics and energetics of blue whale lunge feeding: efficiency dependence on krill density |
title_short |
Mechanics, hydrodynamics and energetics of blue whale lunge feeding: efficiency dependence on krill density |
title_full |
Mechanics, hydrodynamics and energetics of blue whale lunge feeding: efficiency dependence on krill density |
title_fullStr |
Mechanics, hydrodynamics and energetics of blue whale lunge feeding: efficiency dependence on krill density |
title_full_unstemmed |
Mechanics, hydrodynamics and energetics of blue whale lunge feeding: efficiency dependence on krill density |
title_sort |
mechanics, hydrodynamics and energetics of blue whale lunge feeding: efficiency dependence on krill density |
publishDate |
2011 |
url |
http://hdl.handle.net/10088/17622 https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.048157 |
long_lat |
ENVELOPE(-62.311,-62.311,-65.648,-65.648) |
geographic |
Rorqual |
geographic_facet |
Rorqual |
genre |
Balaenoptera musculus baleen whales Blue whale |
genre_facet |
Balaenoptera musculus baleen whales Blue whale |
op_relation |
Journal of Experimental Biology Goldbogen, J. A., Calambokidis, J., Oleson, E., Potvin, J., Pyenson, Nicholas D., Schorr, G., and Shadwick, R. E. 2011. " Mechanics, hydrodynamics and energetics of blue whale lunge feeding: efficiency dependence on krill density ." Journal of Experimental Biology . 214 (1):131–146. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.048157 0022-0949 http://hdl.handle.net/10088/17622 93622 doi:10.1242/jeb.048157 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.048157 |
container_title |
Journal of Experimental Biology |
container_volume |
214 |
container_issue |
1 |
container_start_page |
131 |
op_container_end_page |
146 |
_version_ |
1766366729431154688 |