Using movements, genetics and trophic ecology to differentiate inshore from offshore aggregations of humpback whales in the Gulf of Alaska
Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae have been studied in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) since the late 1960s, but information about whales foraging offshore is limited. A large-scale collaborative project (SPLASH) provided opportunities to study humpback whales in both inshore and...
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ftunivalaska:oai:scholarworks.alaska.edu:11122/11919 2023-05-15T16:36:09+02:00 Using movements, genetics and trophic ecology to differentiate inshore from offshore aggregations of humpback whales in the Gulf of Alaska Witteveen, Briana Harmony Straley, Janice M. Chenoweth, Ellen M. Baker, C. Scott Barlow, Jay Matkin, Craig O. Gabriele, Christine M. Neilson, Janet L. Steel, Debbie J. von Ziegesar, Olga Andrews, Alexander G. Hirons, Amy Christia 2011-09-23 http://hdl.handle.net/11122/11919 en_US eng Inter-Research Science Publisher Witteveen, B. H., Straley, J. M., Chenoweth, E., Baker, C. S., Barlow, J., Matkin, C., . & Hirons, A. (2011). Using movements, genetics and trophic ecology to differentiate inshore from offshore aggregations of humpback whales in the Gulf of Alaska. Endangered Species Research, 14(3), 217-225. 1613-4796 http://hdl.handle.net/11122/11919 Endangered Species Research Endangered Species Research Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Gulf of Alaska mtDNA Haplotype Trophic level Movement Article 2011 ftunivalaska 2023-02-23T21:37:48Z Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae have been studied in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) since the late 1960s, but information about whales foraging offshore is limited. A large-scale collaborative project (SPLASH) provided opportunities to study humpback whales in both inshore and offshore habitats. Using identification photographs and biopsy samples, we explored individual movements, the distribution of mitochondrial (mtDNA) haplotypes, and trophic levels for humpback whales within 3 regions (Kodiak, KOD; Prince William Sound, PWS; and southeastern Alaska, SEAK) of the GOA to determine whether inshore and offshore aggregations of humpback whales are distinct. Each region was divided into inshore and offshore habitats, creating 6 subregions for comparison. Results documenting 2136 individual whales showed that movement within the study area was most frequent between inshore and offshore subregions within a region. In general, movement between regions was minimal. Tissue samples of 483 humpback whales included 15 mtDNA haplotypes. Pairwise chi-squared tests showed haplotype differences between subregions, but inshore PWS was the only subregion with a haplotype composition significantly different than all other subregions. Trophic levels, as inferred from stable nitrogen isotope ratios, were significantly different among subregions, ranging from 3.4 to 4.5. Pairwise comparisons showed that inshore PWS was again the only subregion that significantly differed from all others. Results suggest that the combined inshore and offshore habitats for KOD and the inshore and offshore habitats for SEAK should each be considered as single regional feeding aggregations, while inshore PWS may represent a separate aggregation from PWS offshore. All research was conducted under NOAA scientific research permits issued to and managed by individual agencies. Yes Article in Journal/Newspaper Humpback Whale Kodiak Megaptera novaeangliae Alaska University of Alaska: ScholarWorks@UA Gulf of Alaska |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
University of Alaska: ScholarWorks@UA |
op_collection_id |
ftunivalaska |
language |
English |
topic |
Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Gulf of Alaska mtDNA Haplotype Trophic level Movement |
spellingShingle |
Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Gulf of Alaska mtDNA Haplotype Trophic level Movement Witteveen, Briana Harmony Straley, Janice M. Chenoweth, Ellen M. Baker, C. Scott Barlow, Jay Matkin, Craig O. Gabriele, Christine M. Neilson, Janet L. Steel, Debbie J. von Ziegesar, Olga Andrews, Alexander G. Hirons, Amy Christia Using movements, genetics and trophic ecology to differentiate inshore from offshore aggregations of humpback whales in the Gulf of Alaska |
topic_facet |
Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Gulf of Alaska mtDNA Haplotype Trophic level Movement |
description |
Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae have been studied in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) since the late 1960s, but information about whales foraging offshore is limited. A large-scale collaborative project (SPLASH) provided opportunities to study humpback whales in both inshore and offshore habitats. Using identification photographs and biopsy samples, we explored individual movements, the distribution of mitochondrial (mtDNA) haplotypes, and trophic levels for humpback whales within 3 regions (Kodiak, KOD; Prince William Sound, PWS; and southeastern Alaska, SEAK) of the GOA to determine whether inshore and offshore aggregations of humpback whales are distinct. Each region was divided into inshore and offshore habitats, creating 6 subregions for comparison. Results documenting 2136 individual whales showed that movement within the study area was most frequent between inshore and offshore subregions within a region. In general, movement between regions was minimal. Tissue samples of 483 humpback whales included 15 mtDNA haplotypes. Pairwise chi-squared tests showed haplotype differences between subregions, but inshore PWS was the only subregion with a haplotype composition significantly different than all other subregions. Trophic levels, as inferred from stable nitrogen isotope ratios, were significantly different among subregions, ranging from 3.4 to 4.5. Pairwise comparisons showed that inshore PWS was again the only subregion that significantly differed from all others. Results suggest that the combined inshore and offshore habitats for KOD and the inshore and offshore habitats for SEAK should each be considered as single regional feeding aggregations, while inshore PWS may represent a separate aggregation from PWS offshore. All research was conducted under NOAA scientific research permits issued to and managed by individual agencies. Yes |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Witteveen, Briana Harmony Straley, Janice M. Chenoweth, Ellen M. Baker, C. Scott Barlow, Jay Matkin, Craig O. Gabriele, Christine M. Neilson, Janet L. Steel, Debbie J. von Ziegesar, Olga Andrews, Alexander G. Hirons, Amy Christia |
author_facet |
Witteveen, Briana Harmony Straley, Janice M. Chenoweth, Ellen M. Baker, C. Scott Barlow, Jay Matkin, Craig O. Gabriele, Christine M. Neilson, Janet L. Steel, Debbie J. von Ziegesar, Olga Andrews, Alexander G. Hirons, Amy Christia |
author_sort |
Witteveen, Briana Harmony |
title |
Using movements, genetics and trophic ecology to differentiate inshore from offshore aggregations of humpback whales in the Gulf of Alaska |
title_short |
Using movements, genetics and trophic ecology to differentiate inshore from offshore aggregations of humpback whales in the Gulf of Alaska |
title_full |
Using movements, genetics and trophic ecology to differentiate inshore from offshore aggregations of humpback whales in the Gulf of Alaska |
title_fullStr |
Using movements, genetics and trophic ecology to differentiate inshore from offshore aggregations of humpback whales in the Gulf of Alaska |
title_full_unstemmed |
Using movements, genetics and trophic ecology to differentiate inshore from offshore aggregations of humpback whales in the Gulf of Alaska |
title_sort |
using movements, genetics and trophic ecology to differentiate inshore from offshore aggregations of humpback whales in the gulf of alaska |
publisher |
Inter-Research Science Publisher |
publishDate |
2011 |
url |
http://hdl.handle.net/11122/11919 |
geographic |
Gulf of Alaska |
geographic_facet |
Gulf of Alaska |
genre |
Humpback Whale Kodiak Megaptera novaeangliae Alaska |
genre_facet |
Humpback Whale Kodiak Megaptera novaeangliae Alaska |
op_source |
Endangered Species Research |
op_relation |
Witteveen, B. H., Straley, J. M., Chenoweth, E., Baker, C. S., Barlow, J., Matkin, C., . & Hirons, A. (2011). Using movements, genetics and trophic ecology to differentiate inshore from offshore aggregations of humpback whales in the Gulf of Alaska. Endangered Species Research, 14(3), 217-225. 1613-4796 http://hdl.handle.net/11122/11919 Endangered Species Research |
_version_ |
1766026449585700864 |