Title
Trophic Levels of North Pacific Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) Through Analysis of Stable Isotopes: Implications on Prey and Resource Quality
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
ISSN
0167-5427
Recommended Citation
"Trophic Levels of North Pacific Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) Through Analysis of Stable Isotopes: Implications on Prey and Resource Quality" (2011). Faculty Bibliography 2010s. 2107.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/facultybib2010/2107
Comments
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