Bellwethers of change: population modelling of North Pacific humpback whales from 2002 through 2021 reveals shift from recovery to climate response

Royal Society Open Science, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 11(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2024

For the 40 years after end of commercial whaling in 1976, humpback whale populations North Pacific Ocean exhibited a prolonged period recovery. Using mark–recapture methods on largest individual photo-identification dataset ever assembled for cetacean, we estimated annual ocean-basin-wide abundance species from 2002 through 2021. Trends estimates describe strong post-whaling era population recovery 16 875 (± 5955) to peak estimate 33 488 4455) 2012. An apparent 20% decline 2012 2021, 26 662 4192), suggests abruptly reached carrying capacity due loss prey resources. This was particularly evident whales wintering Hawai‘i, where, by had declined 34% 2013, down levels previously seen 2006, and contrasted an absence Mainland Mexico breeding humpbacks. The strongest marine heatwave recorded globally date during 2014–2016 appeared have altered course recovery, with enduring effects. Extending this time series will allow serve as indicator ecosystem face changing climate.

Язык: Английский

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A global overview of marine heatwaves in a changing climate

Communications Earth & Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 5(1)

Опубликована: Ноя. 20, 2024

Abstract Marine heatwaves have profoundly impacted marine ecosystems over large areas of the world oceans, calling for improved understanding their dynamics and predictability. Here, we critically review recent substantial advances in this active area research, including exploration three-dimensional structure evolution these extremes, drivers, connection with other extremes ocean land, future projections, assessment predictability current prediction skill. To make progress on predicting projecting impacts, a more complete mechanistic full depth at relevant spatial temporal scales is needed, together models that can realistically capture leading mechanisms those scales. Sustained observing systems, as well measuring platforms be rapidly deployed, are essential to achieve comprehensive event characterizations while also chronicling evolving nature impacts our changing climate.

Язык: Английский

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Collecting baleen whale blow samples by drone: A minimally intrusive tool for conservation genetics

Molecular Ecology Resources, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 4, 2024

Abstract In coastal British Columbia, Canada, marine megafauna such as humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) and fin Balaenoptera physalus velifera have been subject to a history of exploitation near extirpation. While their populations in recovery, significant threats are posed these vulnerable species by proposed natural resource ventures this region, addition the compounding effects anthropogenic climate change. Genetic tools play vital role informing conservation efforts, but associated collection tissue biopsy samples can be challenging for investigators disruptive ongoing behaviour targeted whales. Here, we evaluate minimally intrusive approach based on collecting exhaled breath condensate, or respiratory ‘blow’ samples, from baleen using an unoccupied aerial system (UAS), within Gitga'at First Nation territory genetics. Minimal behavioural responses sampling technique were observed, with no response detected 87% time (of 112 UAS deployments). DNA whale blow n = 88 samples) was extracted, profiles consisting 10 nuclear microsatellite loci, sex identification mitochondrial (mt) haplotypes constructed. An average 7.5 loci per individual successfully genotyped. The success rates mtDNA assignment 80% 89% respectively. Thus, method used describe genetic diversity generate identification. results research demonstrate potential UAS‐collected genetics remote location.

Язык: Английский

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Catastrophic and persistent loss of common murres after a marine heatwave

Science, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 386(6727), С. 1272 - 1276

Опубликована: Дек. 12, 2024

Recent marine heatwaves have had pervasive effects on ecosystems, from declines in primary production to die-offs of top predators. Seabird mortalities are often observed association with heatwaves, but population impacts not well understood. In this work, we report the rapid mortality approximately half Alaska's common murre (

Язык: Английский

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Loss of Earth’s old, wise, and large animals

Science, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 387(6729)

Опубликована: Ноя. 21, 2024

Earth’s old animals are in decline. Despite this, emerging research is revealing the vital contributions of older individuals to cultural transmission, population dynamics, and ecosystem processes services. Often largest most experienced, valued by humans make important reproduction, information acquisition trophic resistance resilience natural anthropogenic disturbance. These observations contrast with senescence-focused paradigm age that has dominated literature for more than a century yet consistent findings from behavioral ecology life history theory. In this work, we review why global loss can be particularly detrimental long-lived indeterminate growth; those increasing reproductive output age; dependent on migration, sociality, transmission survival. Longevity conservation needed protect ecological roles services provided animals.

Язык: Английский

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Mechanisms by which marine heatwaves affect seabirds

Marine Ecology Progress Series, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 737, С. 1 - 8

Опубликована: Июнь 6, 2024

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are characterized by periods of extreme warming local to basin-scale marine habitat. Effects MHWs on some seabirds (e.g. mass die-offs) well documented, but mechanisms which respond remain poorly understood. Following from a symposium at the 3 rd World Seabird Conference, this Theme Section presents recent research address knowledge gap. Studies included here spanned one or more MHW event, spatial scales individual seabird colonies large ecosystems in subtropical, temperate, and polar oceans, over timespans months decades. The findings summarized herein indicate that can affect directly creating physiological heat stress affects behavior survival, indirectly disrupting food webs, largely altering metabolic rates ectothermic prey species, leading effects their associated predators prey. Four main (1) habitat modification, (2) forcing, (3) behavioral responses, (4) ecological processes species interactions. Most have experienced limited date, owing adaptations buffer effects. However, intensity frequency is increasing due global warming, may difficulty coping with future heatwave events. Also, impacts persist for years after ends, so consequences could continue unfold time many long-lived species.

Язык: Английский

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Krill swarm biomass, energetic density, and species composition drive humpback whale distribution in the Northern California Current

ICES Journal of Marine Science, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 82(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Abstract Prey abundance and quality are dynamic in time space, impacting predator ecology. We examine variation species-specific krill quantity as prey for humpback whales the Northern California Current region, using generalized additive models to assess metrics including biomass energy density derived from an integrated dataset of concurrent active acoustics, net tows, marine mammal observations (2018–2022). Overall, were positively correlated with whale presence, increasing trends modified by seasonal (early versus late foraging season) spatial (continental shelf offshore) (model deviance explained 36.3%–40.8%). Biomass had strong positive effects on suggesting target high-quality swarms that offer more per lunge. Elevated Thysanoessa spinifera near suggests they this species, particularly season when energetically richer than Euphausia pacifica, region’s other abundant species. Environmental change may decrease quality, whales’ ability meet energetic requirements potentially driving changes their distributions exposure anthropogenic threats. Clarifying drivers patch selection can improve species distribution aid managers mitigating risk whales.

Язык: Английский

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Humpback whale song complexity and evolution on a northwestern Pacific breeding ground: Okinawa, Japan

Royal Society Open Science, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 12(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2025

Male humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) sing a slowly evolving, sexually selected song display socially learned from conspecifics. Within an ocean basin, similarity between breeding populations can reveal the degree of connectivity among them. In northwestern Pacific Ocean, there is paucity information on dynamics and linkages across basin. Here, we quantified fine-scale evolution in near Okinawa, Japan, using indices (Levenshtein distance Dice’s similarity) complexity measures to investigate three consecutive years (2011–2013) this ground. Matched themes revealed minimal 2011 2012, while 2013 was more distinct, as singers sang both new evolved versions themes. This mirrored by scores, which decreased then increased over time. Qualitative comparisons Okinawa other published North ground songs many were shared Pacific, contributing growing body evidence single panmictic lineage Ocean contrast South Pacific. Understanding geographically differing essential revealing underlying drivers basin-wide non-human culture.

Язык: Английский

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Application of DNA Methylation–Based Age Estimation to Construct an Age Structure of Humpback Whales in a Newly Emerged Wintering Ground Around Hachijojima Island, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Using a noninvasive DNA methylation (DNAm)–based age estimation method, we investigate the structure of humpback whales that newly emerged around Hachijojima Island, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan to uncover role this area for species. We measured DNAm frequencies at three age‐related genes ( GRIA2 , CDKN2A, and TET2 ) from 26 biopsy skin samples 21 unique (15 males 6 females) randomly collected in winters 2018–2021 estimated their ages using known model whales. The individuals were 2.95–30.40 years old with mean 12.02, resulting 5‐year increments was roughly normally distributed peak 10.00–14.99 class, suggesting dominance young adult water. observations (young males, male aggressive behavior mating, whale song, mother–calf pair) indicated appeared utilize Island as new wintering ground, expanding northern limit western North Pacific previously known.

Язык: Английский

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Tending the sick: Observations of epimeletic behavior in humpback whales towards conspecifics during entanglement events

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 20(4), С. e0321284 - e0321284

Опубликована: Апрель 15, 2025

Anthropogenic impacts on marine systems are increasing in frequency, geographic range and severity. While changes climate will likely lead to the greatest at system-level, for megafauna, entanglement debris also constitutes a pernicious threat. For baleen whales, regions where high productivity prolific fisheries overlap, is emerging as component of their life history: In some these regions, comprises leading cause serious injury mortality. Additionally, up 80% whales carry scars indicative entanglement, associated declines long-term health reducing fecundity. Here, we describe behavioral traits seen humpback during incidents. Specifically, focus reports that have remained association with entangled incidents apply term “companion whales” reference whales. Reports reviewed include detailed account recent incident observed Hawaiian waters, compilation 62 accounts similar behavior extracted from 414 events provided by regional response networks, series six whaling activities. The similarities between current companion behaviors activities suggest this may be an example plasticity, underscoring expanding repertoire exhibited highlighting potential resilience they respond changing environment.

Язык: Английский

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