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Kok ACM, Hildebrand MJ, MacArdle M, Martinez A, Garrison LP, Soldevilla MS, Hildebrand JA. Kinematics and energetics of foraging behavior in Rice's whales of the Gulf of Mexico. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8996. [PMID: 37268677 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35049-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Rorqual foraging behavior varies with species, prey type and foraging conditions, and can be a determining factor for their fitness. Little is known about the foraging ecology of Rice's whales (Balaenoptera ricei), an endangered species with a population of fewer than 100 individuals. Suction cup tags were attached to two Rice's whales to collect information on their diving kinematics and foraging behavior. The tagged whales primarily exhibited lunge-feeding near the sea bottom and to a lesser extent in the water-column and at the sea surface. During 6-10 min foraging dives, the whales typically circled their prey before executing one or two feeding lunges. Longer duration dives and dives with more feeding-lunges were followed by an increase in their breathing rate. The median lunge rate of one lunge per dive of both animals was much lower than expected based on comparative research on other lunge-feeding baleen whales, and may be associated with foraging on fish instead of krill or may be an indication of different foraging conditions. Both animals spent extended periods of the night near the sea surface, increasing the risk for ship strike. Furthermore, their circling before lunging may increase the risk for entanglement in bottom-longline fishing gear. Overall, these data show that Rice's whale foraging behavior differs from other lunge feeding rorqual species and may be a significant factor in shaping our understanding of their foraging ecology. Efforts to mitigate threats to Rice's whales will benefit from improved understanding of patterns in their habitat use and fine-scale ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annebelle C M Kok
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - Maya J Hildebrand
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Maria MacArdle
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Anthony Martinez
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Lance P Garrison
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Melissa S Soldevilla
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Miami, FL, USA
| | - John A Hildebrand
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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2
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Kiszka JJ, Caputo M, Vollenweider J, Heithaus MR, Aichienger Dias L, Garrison LP. Critically endangered Rice's whales (Balaenoptera ricei) selectively feed on high-quality prey in the Gulf of Mexico. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6710. [PMID: 37185970 PMCID: PMC10130045 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33905-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Determining the drivers of prey selection in marine predators is critical when investigating ecosystem structure and function. The newly recognized Rice's whale (Balaenoptera ricei) is one of the most critically endangered large whales in the world and endemic to the industrialized Gulf of Mexico. Here, we investigated the drivers of resource selection by Rice's whales in relation to prey availability and energy density. Bayesian stable isotope (δ13C, δ15N) mixing models suggest that Rice's whales feed primarily on a schooling fish, Ariomma bondi (66.8% relative contribution). Prey selection using the Chesson's index revealed that active prey selection was found to be positive for three out of the four potential prey identified in the mixing model. A low degree of overlap between prey availability and diet inferred from the mixing model (Pianka Index: 0.333) suggests that prey abundance is not the primary driver of prey selection. Energy density data suggest that prey selection may be primarily driven by the energy content. Results from this study indicate that Rice's whales are selective predators consuming schooling prey with the highest energy content. Environmental changes in the region have the potential to influence prey species that would make them less available to Rice's whales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy J Kiszka
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, USA.
| | - Michelle Caputo
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | | | - Michael R Heithaus
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, USA
| | - Laura Aichienger Dias
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Miami, FL, USA
- Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Lance P Garrison
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Miami, FL, USA
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Gaston KJ, Gardner AS, Cox DTC. Anthropogenic changes to the nighttime environment. Bioscience 2023; 73:280-290. [PMID: 37091747 PMCID: PMC10113933 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biad017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
How the relative impacts of anthropogenic pressures on the natural environment vary between different taxonomic groups, habitats, and geographic regions is increasingly well established. By contrast, the times of day at which those pressures are most forcefully exerted or have greatest influence are not well understood. The impact on the nighttime environment bears particular scrutiny, given that for practical reasons (e.g., researchers themselves belong to a diurnal species), most studies on the impacts of anthropogenic pressures are conducted during the daytime on organisms that are predominantly day active or in ways that do not differentiate between daytime and nighttime. In the present article, we synthesize the current state of knowledge of impacts of anthropogenic pressures on the nighttime environment, highlighting key findings and examples. The evidence available suggests that the nighttime environment is under intense stress across increasing areas of the world, especially from nighttime pollution, climate change, and overexploitation of resources.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandra S Gardner
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel T C Cox
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
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Bland R, Methion S, Sharp SP, Díaz López B. Assessing variability in marine traffic exposure between baleen whale species off the Galician Coast, Spain. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 186:114439. [PMID: 36470096 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Increases in marine traffic represent a growing issue for marine wildlife, posing threats through the impacts of ship strikes and noise pollution. Baleen whales are especially vulnerable to these impacts, yet regional and species-specific information on exposure to such threats is lacking. This study uses AIS and observational data to provide the first assessment of baleen whale exposure to vessel traffic on the NW coast of Spain. Overlap with vessel traffic was detected for all areas where whales were sighted, indicating that these species may be at risk of vessel exposure and its associated impacts. Level of exposure to vessel traffic experienced by whales was species-specific, with risk of exposure appearing highest for minke whales. Vessel exposure also displayed intra- and inter-annual variability and a significant influence of feeding behaviour highlighting the need for dynamic management tools to minimise interactions between baleen whales and marine traffic off the Galician Coast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhian Bland
- Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI), Av. Beiramar 192, O Grove CP. 36980, Spain; Lancaster University, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster, UK
| | - Séverine Methion
- Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI), Av. Beiramar 192, O Grove CP. 36980, Spain
| | - Stuart P Sharp
- Lancaster University, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster, UK
| | - Bruno Díaz López
- Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI), Av. Beiramar 192, O Grove CP. 36980, Spain.
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5
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Tanaka Y. Rostrum morphology and feeding strategy of the baleen whale indicate that right whales and pygmy right whales became skimmers independently. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:221353. [PMID: 36425522 PMCID: PMC9682309 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.221353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Baleen whales have lost their functional teeth and begun to use their baleen plates to feed on small prey. Modern baleen whales exhibit different types of feeding strategies, such as lunging, skimming and so on. The evolution of feeding strategy in the Chaeomysticeti is an important step in considering niche partitioning and diversification, feeding efficiency and gigantism, and evolution and extinction. This study analyses the rostrum morphology to test the hypothesis that specific rostral morphologies facilitate special feeding strategies, using modern species and their observed feeding strategies. By this means, the convergence of rostral morphology can be recognized in the closest groups in the morphospace. As a result, the two linages (Balaenidae and Caperea marginata) are recognized to have convergent rostral morphology. In addition, an early member of the Chaeomysticeti, Yamatocetus canaliculatus, and most fossil species are plotted in or close to the cluster of lunge feeders. The original feeding strategy of the Chaeomysticeti could be more similar to lunge feeding than to skim feeding. Fossil relatives of the two linages showing transitional conditions indicate that they shifted to skim feeding independently. The evolution of the feeding strategy of the Chaeomysticeti is possibly more complex than that was thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiro Tanaka
- Osaka Museum of Natural History, Nagai Park 1-23, Higashi-Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 546-0034, Japan
- Hokkaido University Museum, Kita 10, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan
- Numata Fossil Museum, 2-7-49, Minami 1, Numata town, Hokkaido 078-2225, Japan
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Farmer NA, Powell JR, Morris JA, Soldevilla MS, Wickliffe LC, Jossart JA, MacKay JK, Randall AL, Bath GE, Ruvelas P, Gray L, Lee J, Piniak W, Garrison L, Hardy R, Hart KM, Sasso C, Stokes L, Riley KL. Modeling protected species distributions and habitats to inform siting and management of pioneering ocean industries: A case study for Gulf of Mexico aquaculture. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267333. [PMID: 36178939 PMCID: PMC9524655 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) provides a process that uses spatial data and models to evaluate environmental, social, economic, cultural, and management trade-offs when siting (i.e., strategically locating) ocean industries. Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food sector in the world. The United States (U.S.) has substantial opportunity for offshore aquaculture development given the size of its exclusive economic zone, habitat diversity, and variety of candidate species for cultivation. However, promising aquaculture areas overlap many protected species habitats. Aquaculture siting surveys, construction, operations, and decommissioning can alter protected species habitat and behavior. Additionally, aquaculture-associated vessel activity, underwater noise, and physical interactions between protected species and farms can increase the risk of injury and mortality. In 2020, the U.S. Gulf of Mexico was identified as one of the first regions to be evaluated for offshore aquaculture opportunities as directed by a Presidential Executive Order. We developed a transparent and repeatable method to identify aquaculture opportunity areas (AOAs) with the least conflict with protected species. First, we developed a generalized scoring approach for protected species that captures their vulnerability to adverse effects from anthropogenic activities using conservation status and demographic information. Next, we applied this approach to data layers for eight species listed under the Endangered Species Act, including five species of sea turtles, Rice’s whale, smalltooth sawfish, and giant manta ray. Next, we evaluated four methods for mathematically combining scores (i.e., Arithmetic mean, Geometric mean, Product, Lowest Scoring layer) to generate a combined protected species data layer. The Product approach provided the most logical ordering of, and the greatest contrast in, site suitability scores. Finally, we integrated the combined protected species data layer into a multi-criteria decision-making modeling framework for MSP. This process identified AOAs with reduced potential for protected species conflict. These modeling methods are transferable to other regions, to other sensitive or protected species, and for spatial planning for other ocean-uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A. Farmer
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jessica R. Powell
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
| | - James A. Morris
- NOAA/National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Melissa S. Soldevilla
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Lisa C. Wickliffe
- CSS, Inc. under contract to the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jonathan A. Jossart
- CSS, Inc. under contract to the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jonathan K. MacKay
- CSS, Inc. under contract to the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Alyssa L. Randall
- CSS, Inc. under contract to the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Gretchen E. Bath
- CSS, Inc. under contract to the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Penny Ruvelas
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, West Coast Regional Office, Long Beach, California, United States of America
| | - Laura Gray
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Lee
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
| | - Wendy Piniak
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Lance Garrison
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Robert Hardy
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Kristen M. Hart
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Davie, Florida, United States of America
| | - Chris Sasso
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Lesley Stokes
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Kenneth L. Riley
- NOAA/National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
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7
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Soldevilla MS, Ternus K, Cook A, Hildebrand JA, Frasier KE, Martinez A, Garrison LP. Acoustic localization, validation, and characterization of Rice's whale calls. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 151:4264. [PMID: 35778169 DOI: 10.1121/10.0011677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The recently named Rice's whale in the Gulf of Mexico is one of the most endangered whales in the world, and improved knowledge of spatiotemporal occurrence patterns is needed to support their recovery and conservation. Passive acoustic monitoring methods for determining spatiotemporal occurrence patterns require identifying the species' call repertoire. Rice's whale call repertoire remains unvalidated though several potential call types have been identified. This study uses sonobuoys and passive acoustic tagging to validate the source of potential call types and to characterize Rice's whale calls. During concurrent visual and acoustic surveys, acoustic-directed approaches were conducted to obtain visual verifications of sources of localized sounds. Of 28 acoustic-directed approaches, 79% led to sightings of balaenopterid whales, of which 10 could be positively identified to species as Rice's whales. Long-moan calls, downsweep sequences, and tonal-sequences are attributed to Rice's whales based on these matches, while anthropogenic sources are ruled out. A potential new call type, the low-frequency downsweep sequence, is characterized from tagged Rice's whale recordings. The validation and characterization of the Rice's whale call repertoire provides foundational information needed to use passive acoustic monitoring for better understanding and conservation of these critically endangered whales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa S Soldevilla
- Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, Florida 33143, USA
| | - Katrina Ternus
- Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149, USA
| | - Ashley Cook
- Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149, USA
| | - John A Hildebrand
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Kaitlin E Frasier
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Anthony Martinez
- Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, Florida 33143, USA
| | - Lance P Garrison
- Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, Florida 33143, USA
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8
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Eisfeld-Pierantonio SM, Pierantonio N, Simmonds MP. The impact of marine debris on cetaceans with consideration of plastics generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 300:118967. [PMID: 35134431 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of human-derived debris in the oceans is a global concern and a serious threat to marine wildlife. There is a volume of evidence that points to deleterious effects of marine debris (MD) on cetaceans in terms of both entanglement and ingestion. This review suggests that about 68% of cetacean species are affected by interacting with MD with an increase in the number of species reported to have interacted with it over the past decades. Despite the growing body of evidence, there is an ongoing debate on the actual effects of plastics on cetaceans and, in particular, with reference to the ingestion of microplastics and their potential toxicological and pathogenic effects. Current knowledge suggests that the observed differences in the rate and nature of interactions with plastics are the result of substantial differences in species-specific diving and feeding strategies. Existing projections on the production, use and disposal of plastics suggest a further increase of marine plastic pollution. In this context, the contribution of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to marine plastic pollution appears to be substantial, with potentially serious consequences for marine life including cetaceans. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic offers an opportunity to investigate the direct links between industry, human behaviours and the effects of MD on cetaceans. This could help inform management, prevention efforts, describe knowledge gaps and guide advancements in research efforts. This review highlights the lack of assessments of population-level effects related to MD and suggests that these could be rather immediate for small populations already under pressure from other anthropogenic activities. Finally, we suggest that MD is not only a pollution, economic and social issue, but also a welfare concern for the species and populations involved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nino Pierantonio
- Tethys Research Institute, Viale G. B. Gadio 2, 20121, Milano, Italy.
| | - Mark P Simmonds
- Bristol Veterinary School Langford House, Langford, Bristol, BS40 5DU, UK; OceanCare, PO Box 372, 8820, Wadenswill, Switzerland.
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9
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Soldevilla MS, Debich AJ, Garrison LP, Hildebrand JA, Wiggins SM. Rice’s whales in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico: call variation and occurrence beyond the known core habitat. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2022. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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10
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Ramírez-León MR, García-Aguilar MC, Romo-Curiel AE, Ramírez-Mendoza Z, Fajardo-Yamamoto A, Sosa-Nishizaki O. Habitat suitability of cetaceans in the Gulf of Mexico using an ecological niche modeling approach. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10834. [PMID: 33777512 PMCID: PMC7980700 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Gulf of Mexico (GOM) is a semi-enclosed sea where the waters of the United States, Mexico and Cuba converge. Al least 21 species of cetaceans inhabit it. The only mysticete (baleen whale) is found in the northeast (U.S. waters). The distribution of the 20 species of odontocetes (toothed cetaceans) is well understood in U.S. waters, but practically unknown in Mexican and Cuban waters. In this study we used sighting data from several odontocete species to construct habitat suitability maps in order to identify geographical regions suitable for high diversity throughout the GOM. Methods Historical datasets of georeferenced sightings from across the GOM were used to implement the maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt) to model the habitat suitability of each species. Five environmental predictors were used, selected for their influence over the occurrence of cetaceans: two oceanographic predictors (sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration), and three bathymetric predictors (depth, slope, and distance to 200-m isobath). A spatial approach based on the habitat suitability maps was used to identify the suitable regions. Results Only 12 species were modeled, which were the ones with the minimum sample size required. The models performed well, showing good discriminatory power and slight overfitting. Overall, depth, minimum sea surface temperature, and bottom slope were the most contributing predictor in the models. High suitability areas of 10 species were located on the continental slope, and four suitable regions were identified: (1) the Mississippi Canyon and the Louisiana-Texas slope in the northern GOM, (2) the west Florida slope in the east-northeastern GOM, (3) the Rio Grande slope in the west-northwestern GOM, and (4) the Tamaulipas-Veracruz slope in the west-southwestern GOM. Conclusions We were able to detect four geographic regions in the GOM where a high diversity of odontocetes is expected, all located on the continental slope. Although the methodology to identify them (spatial overlap) is a very conservative approach, it is useful for conservation and management purposes. The paucity of data did not allow all species to be modeled, which highlights the importance of establishing transboundary monitoring programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rafael Ramírez-León
- Posgrado en Ecología Marina, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - María C García-Aguilar
- Departamento de Oceanografía Biológica, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Alfonsina E Romo-Curiel
- Departamento de Oceanografía Biológica, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Zurisaday Ramírez-Mendoza
- Departamento de Oceanografía Biológica, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Arturo Fajardo-Yamamoto
- Departamento de Oceanografía Biológica, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Oscar Sosa-Nishizaki
- Departamento de Oceanografía Biológica, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
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11
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Carroll EL, Gallego R, Sewell MA, Zeldis J, Ranjard L, Ross HA, Tooman LK, O'Rorke R, Newcomb RD, Constantine R. Multi-locus DNA metabarcoding of zooplankton communities and scat reveal trophic interactions of a generalist predator. Sci Rep 2019; 9:281. [PMID: 30670720 PMCID: PMC6342929 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36478-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
To understand the ecosystem dynamics that underpin the year-round presence of a large generalist consumer, the Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni brydei), we use a DNA metabarcoding approach and systematic zooplankton surveys to investigate seasonal and regional changes in zooplankton communities and if whale diet reflects such changes. Twenty-four zooplankton community samples were collected from three regions throughout the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, over two temperature regimes (warm and cool seasons), as well as 20 samples of opportunistically collected Bryde's whale scat. Multi-locus DNA barcode libraries were constructed from 18S and COI gene fragments, representing a trade-off between identification and resolution of metazoan taxa. Zooplankton community OTU occurrence and relative read abundance showed regional and seasonal differences based on permutational analyses of variance in both DNA barcodes, with significant changes in biodiversity indices linked to season in COI only. In contrast, we did not find evidence that Bryde's whale diet shows seasonal or regional trends, but instead indicated clear prey preferences for krill-like crustaceans, copepods, salps and ray-finned fishes independent of prey availability. The year-round presence of Bryde's whales in the Hauraki Gulf is likely associated with the patterns of distribution and abundance of these key prey items.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Carroll
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - R Gallego
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - M A Sewell
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - J Zeldis
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - L Ranjard
- Research School of Biology, the Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - H A Ross
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - L K Tooman
- The Institute for Plant & Food Research, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - R O'Rorke
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - R D Newcomb
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- The Institute for Plant & Food Research, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - R Constantine
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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