Trophic Levels of North Pacific Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) Through Analysis of Stable Isotopes: Implications on Prey and Resource Quality

    Authors

    B. H. Witteveen; G. A. J. Worthy; K. M. Wynne; A. C. Hirons; A. G. Andrews;R. W. Markel

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Aquat. Mamm.

    Keywords

    North Pacific; prey quality; stable isotopes; trophic level; humpback; whales; Megaptera novaeangliae; MARINE MAMMALS; NITROGEN-ISOTOPE; INTRAPOPULATION VARIATION; PHOCOENA-PHOCOENA; CARBON-ISOTOPE; MIXING MODELS; ST-LAWRENCE; FOOD-CHAINS; TISSUES; DELTA-C-13; Marine & Freshwater Biology; Zoology

    Abstract

    Trophic levels of 1,105 humpback whales from six geographically and isotopically distinct North Pacific feeding groups were calculated using delta N-15 of humpback whales and regional primary consumers. The overall mean trophic level for North Pacific humpback whales was 3.6 +/- 0.02, indicating a diet of both fish and zooplankton, and, thus, supporting assumptions of humpback whales as generalist predators. The highest mean trophic level was calculated for the north Gulf of Alaska group (4.0 +/- 0.03), while the lowest was found for the Russian and the western Aleutian Islands group (3.3 +/- 0.08). Differences in mean trophic levels suggest that feeding groups differ in the proportion of fish and zooplankton in their diets.

    Journal Title

    Aquatic Mammals

    Volume

    37

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-2011

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    101

    Last Page

    110

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000292149400001

    ISSN

    0167-5427

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