Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in Royal Society Open Science:

Monica A. Silva, Asuncion Borrell, Rui Prieto, Pauline Gauffier, Martine Berube, Per J Palsbol, and Ana Colaco. 2019. Stable isotopes reveal winter feeding in different habitats in blue, fin and sei whales migrating through the Azores. 6. R. Soc. open sci. http://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.181800

Abstract

Knowing the migratory movements and behaviour of baleen whales is fundamental to understanding their ecology. We compared δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values in the skin of blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and sei (Balaenoptera borealis) whales sighted in the Azores in spring with the values of potential prey from different regions within the North Atlantic using Bayesian mixing models to investigate their trophic ecology and migration patterns. Fin whale δ¹⁵N values were higher than those recorded in blue and sei whales, reflecting feeding at higher trophic levels. Whales' skin δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values did not reflect prey from high-latitude summer foraging grounds; instead mixing models identified tropical or subtropical regions as the most likely feeding areas for all species during winter and spring. Yet, differences in δ¹³C values among whale species suggest use of different regions within this range. Blue and sei whales primarily used resources from the Northwest African upwelling and pelagic tropical/subtropical regions, while fin whales fed off Iberia. However, determining feeding habitats from stable isotope values remains difficult. In conclusion, winter feeding appears common among North Atlantic blue, fin and sei whales, and may play a crucial role in determining their winter distribution. A better understanding of winter feeding behaviour is therefore fundamental for the effective conservation of these species.

You can download the paper here: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.181800 or email me monica.silva.imar@gmail.com for a PDF.

Best regards,

Mónica

Mónica Almeida e Silva

(Marine Biologist, PhD)

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MARE ?C Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre

IMAR - Institute of Marine Research

Rua Frederico Machado, 4

9901-862 Horta Portugal

Phone: (+351) 292200400

Email: masilva@mare-centre.pt; monica.silva.imar@gmail.com

http://whales.scienceontheweb.net

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Guest Investigator

WHOI ?C Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA