Article
Trophic Levels of North Pacific Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) Through Analysis of Stable Isotopes: Implications on Prey and Resource Quality
Aquatic Mammals
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2011
Keywords
- North Pacific,
- Prey quality,
- Stable isotopes,
- Trophic level,
- Humpback whales,
- Megaptera novaeangliae
Abstract
Trophic levels of 1,105 humpback whales from six geographically and isotopically distinct North Pacific feeding groups were calculated using δ15N 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.
DOI
10.1578/AM.37.2.2011.101
Additional Comments
NOAA grant #: NA16FX1270
Disciplines
Citation Information
Briana H. Witteveen, Graham A. J. Worthy, Kate M. Wynne, Amy Hirons, et al.. "Trophic Levels of North Pacific Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) Through Analysis of Stable Isotopes: Implications on Prey and Resource Quality" Aquatic Mammals Vol. 37 Iss. 2 (2011) p. 101 - 110 ISSN: 0167-5427 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/amy-hirons/40/