Dear MARMAM, My co-authors and I are excited to share our recent work describing spatiotemporal diet variability in Pacific resident killer whales:
Van Cise, A. M., Hanson, M. B., Emmons, C., Olsen, D., Matkin, C. O., Wells, A. H., & Parsons, K. M. (2024). Spatial and seasonal foraging patterns drive diet differences among north Pacific resident killer whale populations. Royal Society Open Science, 11(9), rsos240445. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.240445 Abstract: Highly social top marine predators, including many cetaceans, exhibit culturally learned ecological behaviours such as diet preference and foraging strategy that can affect their resilience to competition or anthropogenic impacts. When these species are also endangered, conservation efforts require management strategies based on a comprehensive understanding of the variability in these behaviours. In the northeast Pacific Ocean, three partially sympatric populations of resident killer whales occupy coastal ecosystems from California to Alaska. One population (southern resident killer whales) is endangered, while another (southern Alaska resident killer whales) has exhibited positive abundance trends for the last several decades. Using 185 faecal samples collected from both populations between 2011 and 2021, we compare variability in diet preference to provide insight into differences in foraging patterns that may be linked with the relative success and decline of these populations. We find broad similarities in the diet of the two populations, with differences arising from spatiotemporal and social variability in resource use patterns, especially in the timing of shifts between target prey species. The results described here highlight the importance of comprehensive longitudinal monitoring of foraging ecology to inform management strategies for endangered, highly social top marine predators. The paper is open-access and can be downloaded directly from RSOS <https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.240445>, from ResearchGate <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384109625_Spatial_and_seasonal_foraging_patterns_drive_diet_differences_among_north_Pacific_resident_killer_whale_populations>, or from my lab's website <http://www.amyvancise.com/>. Warm regards, Amy <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< <*)))>< Amy M. Van Cise, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) Assistant Professor Whale and Dolphin Ecology Lab <http://amyvancise.com> University of Washington | School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences 1122 NE Boat St, Box 355020 Seattle, WA 98105 Office: SAFS 216B 206-221-6118 Need to meet with me? Let's find a time <https://calendar.app.google/6S7FAok44L6n2TpF7>. Where is Amy? [Spring 2024 edition]** Monday: UW campus Tuesday: UW campus Wednesday: UW campus Thursday: hiding (focus day) Friday: UW campus **This is not exact. If you can't find me, shoot me an email and I will get back to you. "My paper was one long gigantic blunder from beginning to end." -Charles Darwin
_______________________________________________ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
