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    Diel changes in humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae feeding behavior in response to sand lance Ammodytes spp. behavior and distribution

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    m395p091.pdf (376.5Kb)
    Date
    2009-12-03
    Author
    Friedlaender, Ari S.  Concept link
    Hazen, Elliott L.  Concept link
    Nowacek, Douglas P.  Concept link
    Halpin, Patrick N.  Concept link
    Ware, Colin  Concept link
    Weinrich, Mason T.  Concept link
    Hurst, Thomas P.  Concept link
    Wiley, David N.  Concept link
    Metadata
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    Citable URI
    https://hdl.handle.net/1912/4541
    As published
    https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08003
    DOI
    10.3354/meps08003
    Keyword
     Humpback whales; Sand lance; Diel feeding; Predator–prey interactions 
    Abstract
    Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae have adopted unique feeding strategies to take advantage of behavioral changes in their prey. However, logistical constraints have largely limited ecological analyses of these interactions. Our objectives were to (1) link humpback whale feeding behaviors to concurrent measurements of prey using scientific echo-sounders, and (2) quantify how sand lance behavior influences the feeding behaviors and foraging ecology of humpback whales. To measure, in fine detail, the 3-dimensional orientation and movement patterns of humpback whales underwater, we used a multi-sensor tag attached via suction cups (DTAG). We tested the specific hypothesis that the diel movement patterns of sand lance between bottom substrate and the water column correlates to changes between surface and bottom feeding strategies of humpback whales on Stellwagen Bank, MA. We collected over 96 h of both day- and nighttime data from 15 whales in 2006, and recorded 393 surface and 230 bottom feeding events. Individual whales exhibit both surface and bottom feeding behaviors, switching from one to the other in relation to changing light and prey conditions. Surface feeding behaviors were individually variable in their constitution but ubiquitously biased towards daylight hours, when prey was most abundant in the upper portion of the water column. Bottom feeding behavior occurred largely at night, coincident with when sand lance descend to seek refuge in the substrate. Our data provide novel insights into the behavioral ecology of humpback whales and their prey, indicating significant diel patterns in foraging behaviors concurrent with changes in prey behavior.
    Description
    Author Posting. © Inter-Research, 2009. This article is posted here by permission of Inter-Research for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Marine Ecology Progress Series 395 (2009): 91-100, doi:10.3354/meps08003.
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    • Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering (AOP&E)
    Suggested Citation
    Marine Ecology Progress Series 395 (2009): 91-100
     

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