Baleen whale prey consumption based on high-resolution foraging measurements

Nature, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 599(7883), P. 85 - 90

Published: Nov. 3, 2021

Language: Английский

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Field measurements reveal exposure risk to microplastic ingestion by filter-feeding megafauna

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Nov. 1, 2022

Abstract Microparticles, such as microplastics and microfibers, are ubiquitous in marine food webs. Filter-feeding megafauna may be at extreme risk of exposure to microplastics, but neither the amount nor pathway microplastic ingestion well understood. Here, we combine depth-integrated data from California Current Ecosystem with high-resolution foraging measurements 191 tag deployments on blue, fin, humpback whales quantify plastic rates routes exposure. We find that baleen predominantly feed depths 50–250 m, coinciding highest measured concentrations pelagic ecosystem. Nearly all (99%) is predicted occur via trophic transfer. predict fish-feeding less exposed than krill-feeding whales. Per day, a krill-obligate blue whale ingest 10 million pieces microplastic, while likely ingests 200,000 microplastic. For species struggling recover historical whaling alongside other anthropogenic pressures, our findings suggest cumulative impacts multiple stressors require further attention.

Language: Английский

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How do feeding biomechanics, extreme predator–prey size ratios and the rare enemy effect determine energetics and ecology at the largest scale?

Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 228(Suppl_1)

Published: Feb. 15, 2025

ABSTRACT The most recent and largest radiation of marine filter feeders are edentulous baleen whales (Mysticeti) that use keratinized racks fringed matted to zooplankton (e.g. krill) or small schooling fish anchovies, sardines). Rorqual (Balaeopteridae) exhibit the greatest size range among mysticetes employ a unique lunge-feeding mechanism whereby engulfment filtration temporally decoupled. As result, lunge feeding confers ability rapidly engulf large prey aggregations, such as krill fish, followed by prolonged phase. In contrast, occur at same time in all other gigantic basking sharks, whale sharks) slow speeds. Although lunges rorquals higher speeds, extreme predator–prey ratios play suggest may not be able overcome escape abilities scattering prey. These types have been engaged evolutionary arms races with smaller predators for tens millions years prior rise today's ocean giants. Extant rorqual evolved gigantism only last few million years; thus, they represent rare enemies flight responses delayed until is less likely. Data from whale-borne movement-sensing tags, looming stimulus experiments stomach contents potential trade-off capture efficiency different versus increasing body size. Such constraints likely shaped ecology energetics foraging scales.

Language: Английский

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Assessing microplastic exposure of large marine filter-feeders

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 818, P. 151815 - 151815

Published: Nov. 22, 2021

Language: Английский

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Predator‐scale spatial analysis of intra‐patch prey distribution reveals the energetic drivers of rorqual whale super‐group formation

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 35(4), P. 894 - 908

Published: Jan. 26, 2021

Abstract Animals are distributed relative to the resources they rely upon, often scaling in abundance available resources. Yet, heterogeneously environments, describing resource availability at relevant spatial scales remains a challenge ecology, inhibiting understanding of predator distribution and foraging decisions. We investigated behaviour two species rorqual whales within spatially limited numerically extraordinary super‐aggregations oceans. additionally described lognormal prey data species‐specific that matched predator's unique lunge‐feeding strategy. Here we show both humpback off South Africa's west coast blue US perform more lunges per unit time these aggregations than when individually, biomass gulp‐sized parcels was on average higher tightly super‐group‐associated patches, facilitating greater energy intake feeding event as well increased rates. Prey analysis predator‐specific revealed stronger association super‐groups with patches containing relatively high geometric mean low standard deviations arithmetic biomass, suggesting decisions may be influenced by high‐biomass portions patch total biomass. The hierarchical restricted, temporally transient, demonstrated less variable distributions facilitated what likely near‐minimum intervals between events. Combining rates implied overall were approximately double those other environments. Locating large, high‐quality via detection aggregation hotspots an important aspect whale foraging, one have been suppressed population sizes anthropogenically reduced 20th century critical lows. A free Plain Language Summary can found Supporting Information this article.

Language: Английский

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Dynamic filtration in baleen whales: recent discoveries and emerging trends

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: April 12, 2024

Recent findings have greatly improved our understanding of mysticete oral filtration, and upended the traditional view baleen filtration as a simple process. Flow tank experiments, telemetric tag deployment on whales, other lab field methods continue to yield new data ideas. These suggest that several mechanisms arose from ecological, morphological, biomechanical adaptations facilitating evolution extreme body size in Mysticeti. Multiple lines evidence strongly support characterization conceptually dynamic process, varying according diverse intraoral locations times prevailing conditions. We review highlight these follows. First, appears work complex metafilter comprising multiple components with differing properties. include major minor plates eroded fringes (AKA bristles or hairs), well whole racks. Second, it is clear different whale species rely varied ecological modes ranging slow skimming high-speed lunging, possibilities between. Third, be highly flow-dependent porosity not only across sites within single rack, but also by flow direction, speed, volume. Fourth, indicate (particularly balaenid whales possibly species) generally functions throughput sieve, instead likely uses cross-flow tangential many biological systems. Fifth, reveals time course including rate filter filling clearing, more than formerly envisioned. plate fringe orientation, change during stages ram water expulsion. Sixth, baleen’s flexibility related properties varies location (=rack), leading conditions outcomes. Seventh, means clearing/cleaning filter, whether hydraulic, hydrodynamic, mechanical methods, vary feeding type, notably intermittent lunging versus continuous skimming. Together, past two decades elucidated processes heightened need for further research. Many aspects may pertain filters; designers can apply artificial both better understand natural systems design manufacture effective synthetic filters. Understanding common unique features phenomena, artificial, will aid scientific technical understanding, enable fruitful interdisciplinary partnerships, designs.

Language: Английский

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Cheap gulp foraging of a giga-predator enables efficient exploitation of sparse prey

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(25)

Published: June 23, 2023

The giant rorqual whales are believed to have a massive food turnover driven by high-intake lunge feeding style aptly described as the world's largest biomechanical action. This high-drag behavior is thought limit dive times and constrain rorquals target only densest prey patches, making them vulnerable disturbance habitat change. Using biologging tags estimate energy expenditure function of rates on 23 humpback whales, we show that energetically cheap. Such inexpensive foraging means flexible in quality patches they exploit therefore more resilient environmental fluctuations disturbance. As consequence, hence ecological role these marine giants likely been overestimated.

Language: Английский

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Minke whale feeding rate limitations suggest constraints on the minimum body size for engulfment filtration feeding

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(4), P. 535 - 546

Published: March 13, 2023

Language: Английский

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Downsized: gray whales using an alternative foraging ground have smaller morphology

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 19(8)

Published: Aug. 1, 2023

Describing individual morphology and growth is key for identifying ecological niches monitoring the health fitness of populations. Eastern North Pacific ((ENP), approximately 16 650 individuals) gray whales primarily feed in Arctic/sub-Arctic regions, while a small subgroup called Coast Feeding Group (PCFG, 212 instead feeds between northern California, USA British Columbia, Canada. Evidence suggests PCFG have lower body condition than ENP whales. Here we investigate morphological differences (length, skull, fluke span) compare length-at-age curves We use whale data comprised strandings, whaling, aerial photogrammetry (1926-1997) comparison to from collected through non-invasive techniques (2016-2022) estimate age (photo identification) length (drone-based photogrammetry). Bayesian methods incorporate uncertainty associated with measurements (manual photogrammetric) estimates. find that similar rates, reach smaller asymptotic lengths. Additionally, relatively skulls flukes These findings represent striking example adaptation may facilitate accessing foraging niche distinct Arctic grounds broader population.

Language: Английский

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Prenatal developmental sequence of the skull of minke whales and its implications for the evolution of mysticetes and the teeth‐to‐baleen transition

Journal of Anatomy, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 235(4), P. 725 - 748

Published: June 19, 2019

Abstract Baleen whales (Mysticeti) have an extraordinary fossil record documenting the transition from toothed raptorial taxa to modern species that bear baleen plates, keratinous bristles employed in filter‐feeding. Remnants of their ancestry can be found ontogeny, as they still develop tooth germs utero . Understanding developmental teeth and associated skull modifications prenatal specimens extant enhance our understanding evolutionary history this lineage by using ontogeny a relative proxy changes observed record. Although at present very little information is available on development whales, especially regarding resorption formation, due lack specimens. Here I first detailed description minke ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata bonaerensis ), focusing anatomy germ development, resorption, growth. The ontogenetic sequence described consists 10 both whale species, earliest fetal stages full term. internal was visualized traditional iodine‐enhanced computed tomography scanning. These high‐quality data allow qualitatively quantitatively three‐dimensional landmark analysis. report distinctive external anatomical presence denser tissue medial final portion gestation, which interpreted signs formation (baleen rudiments). Tooth are only completely resorbed just before eruption gums, for brief period with rudiments. Skull shape characterized progressive elongation rostrum braincase anterior movement supraoccipital shield, contributing defining feature cetaceans, telescoping. aid interpretation morphologies, those extinct where there no direct evidence baleen, even if caution needed when comparing adult fossils. other mysticete needs analyzed drawing definitive conclusions about influence evolution group. Nonetheless, work step towards deeper most patterns accompany baleen. It also presents comprehensive hypotheses explain processes morphology feeding adaptations mysticetes.

Language: Английский

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