New article on resource partitioning between humpback and minke whales in Antarctica
The following articles has been published on line: Friedlaender, A.S., G.L. Lawson, and P.N. Halpin. 2008. Evidence of resource partitioning between humpback and minke whales around the western Antarctic Peninsula. Marine Mammal Science DOI: 10.1111/j. 1748-7692.2008.00263.x ABSTRACT For closely related sympatric species to coexist, they must differ to some degree in their ecological requirements or niches (e.g., diets) to avoid interspecific competition. Baleen whales in the Antarctic feed primarily on krill, and the large sympatric prewhaling community suggests resource partitioning among these species or a nonlimiting prey resource. In order to examine ecological differences between sympatric humpback and minke whales around the Western Antarctic Peninsula, we made measurements of the physical environment, observations of whale distribution, and concurrent acoustic measurements of krill aggregations. Mantel's tests and classification and regression tree models indicate both similarities and differences in the spatial associations between humpback and minke whales, environmental features, and prey. The data suggest (1) similarities (proximity to shore) and differences (prey abundance versus deep water temperatures) in horizontal spatial distribution patterns, (2) unambiguous vertical resource partitioning with minke whales associating with deeper krill aggregations across a range of spatial scales, and (3) that interference competition between these two species is unlikely. These results add to the paucity of ecological knowledge relating baleen whales and their prey in the Antarctic and should be considered in conservation and management efforts for Southern Ocean cetaceans and ecosystems. Society Members can access this manuscript from the journal web site via the Members Area: www.marinemammalogy.org or contact me for a pdf: asf7@duke.edu Thank you. Ari Friedlaender Ari S. Friedlaender, Ph.D. Assistant Research Scientist Duke University Marine Laboratory 135 Pivers Island Road Beaufort, NC 28516 p 919 672 0103 f 252 504 7648 asf7@duke.edu
Dear Marmamers, The following article is freely available online: Bourret, V., Macé, M., Bonhomme, M., Crouau-Roy, B. Microsatellites in Cetaceans: an Overview. The Open Marine Biology Journal, 2008, 2, 38-42. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the published literature on microsatellites studied in cetaceans from 1989 to 2007. We inventoried 246 loci isolated from 18 and amplified in 51 cetacean species representing 11 families. The majority of loci (68%) were dinucleotide (CA) repeats, which were also shown to be on average more variable than tetranucleotide repeats. For each of these loci and the 1610 locus/species combinations, we present the species in which the markers were isolated and tested, specific diversity parameters (number of alleles, expected and observed heterozygosities), together with the primer sequences, the size range of the PCR products and the GenBank accession number. Simple analyses were performed on the assembled data and the widespread use of cross-species amplification, an important source of microsatellites in cetaceans, is discussed using laboratory data from Stenella coeruleoalba. No significant ascertainment bias was detected when considering all dinucleotide or tetranucleotide loci. This comprehensive database should help to inform those working on population and conservation genetic studies in most cetacean species. The main text and supplementary tables are available for download from the Journal's website. Alternatively please contact us for pdf's. With all best wishes for the new year, Vincent Bourret -- Vincent Bourret CIDC - Dept. of Veterinary Medicine Madingley Road Cambridge CB3 0ES U.K. tel. +44 (0)1223 764961 fax. +44 (0)1223 764667
participants (2)
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Ari Friedlaender -
Vincent Bourret