scholarly journals Humpback whales feed on hatchery-released juvenile salmon

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. 170180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen M. Chenoweth ◽  
Janice M. Straley ◽  
Megan V. McPhee ◽  
Shannon Atkinson ◽  
Steve Reifenstuhl
Keyword(s):  
Prey Capture ◽  
Coho Salmon ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Juvenile Salmon ◽  
Anthropogenic Source ◽  
Behavioural Plasticity ◽  
Southeast Alaska ◽  
Spatial Variables ◽  
Temporal And Spatial

Humpback whales are remarkable for the behavioural plasticity of their feeding tactics and the diversity of their diets. Within the last decade at hatchery release sites in Southeast Alaska, humpback whales have begun exploiting juvenile salmon, a previously undocumented prey. The anthropogenic source of these salmon and their important contribution to local fisheries makes the emergence of humpback whale predation a concern for the Southeast Alaska economy. Here, we describe the frequency of observing humpback whales, examine the role of temporal and spatial variables affecting the probability of sighting humpback whales and describe prey capture behaviours at five hatchery release sites. We coordinated twice-daily 15 min observations during the spring release seasons 2010–2015. Using logistic regression, we determined that the probability of occurrence of humpback whales increased after releases began and decreased after releases concluded. The probability of whale occurrence varied among release sites but did not increase significantly over the 6 year study period. Whales were reported to be feeding on juvenile chum, Chinook and coho salmon, with photographic and video records of whales feeding on coho salmon. The ability to adapt to new prey sources may be key to sustaining their population in a changing ocean.

The Ecology of Juvenile Salmon in the Northeast Pacific Ocean: Regional Comparisons

2007 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Coho Salmon ◽  
River System ◽  
Gulf Of Alaska ◽  
Juvenile Salmon ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Southeast Alaska ◽  
The North ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Almost All

Abstract.—A conceptual model of juvenile coho salmon <em>Oncorhynchus kisutch </em>migration from Oregon, Washington, the Columbia–Snake River system, British Columbia, and southeast Alaska was derived using coded-wire-tag data from juvenile salmon surveys conducted between 1995 and 2004. Over this 10-year period, 914 coded-wire-tagged (CWT) juvenile coho salmon were recovered. In general, the migratory behavior of juvenile coho salmon observed in this study was consistent with previous studies showing that juvenile salmon generally undertake a northward migration and utilize the continental shelf as a migration highway. However, this study also revealed that both regional and specific river stocks of coho salmon from all parts of the North American coast are composed of fast components that take a rapid and direct migration in the summer to as far west as Kodiak Island, Alaska and slow components that migrate over a relatively short distance from their natal rivers and reside over winter on the shelf. The Columbia–Snake River system, coastal Oregon, and coastal Washington had the highest proportion of fast CWT migrants among regions. Furthermore, specific stocks within the lower Columbia River had the highest proportion of fast CWT migrants both within the Columbia–Snake River watershed and along the entire west coast of North America. Distances migrated along the shelf were positively correlated to size at capture during the summer for almost all regional stocks, indicating that fast-migrating juvenile coho salmon have faster growth rates. The widespread dispersion along the continental shelf as a consequence of a mix of slow and fast migrants and the subsequent offshore migration into different regions of the Gulf of Alaska may have been selected over evolutionary time scales. This strategy would have ensured the long-term survival of individual stocks by spreading the risk of mortality among oceanic regions.

scholarly journals Pectoral herding: an innovative tactic for humpback whale foraging

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 191104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madison M. Kosma ◽  
Alexander J. Werth ◽  
Andrew R. Szabo ◽  
Janice M. Straley
Keyword(s):  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Humpback Whale ◽  
Ventral Side ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Foraging Efficiency ◽  
Behavioural Plasticity ◽  
Southeast Alaska ◽  
And Shifts

Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) have exceptionally long pectorals (i.e. flippers) that aid in shallow water navigation, rapid acceleration and increased manoeuvrability. The use of pectorals to herd or manipulate prey has been hypothesized since the 1930s. We combined new technology and a unique viewing platform to document the additional use of pectorals to aggregate prey during foraging events. Here, we provide a description of ‘pectoral herding’ and explore the conditions that may promote this innovative foraging behaviour. Specifically, we analysed aerial videos and photographic sequences to assess the function of pectorals during feeding events near salmon hatchery release sites in Southeast Alaska (2016–2018). We observed the use of solo bubble-nets to initially corral prey, followed by calculated movements to establish a secondary boundary with the pectorals—further condensing prey and increasing foraging efficiency. We found three ways in which humpback whales use pectorals to herd prey: (i) create a physical barrier to prevent evasion, (ii) cause water motion to guide prey towards the mouth, and (iii) position the ventral side to reflect light and alter prey movement. Our findings suggest that behavioural plasticity may aid foraging in changing environments and shifts in prey availability. Further study would clarify if ‘pectoral herding’ is used as a principal foraging tool by the broader humpback whale population and the conditions that promote its use.

Giscience in the Mountain Geography

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 81-90
Author(s):  
Krishna Poudel
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Data ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Temporal Data ◽  
Observation Systems ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Temporal And Spatial Characteristics ◽  
Mountain Geography ◽  
Different Sources

Mountains have distinct geography and are dynamic in nature compared to the plains. 'Verticality' and 'variation' are two fundamental specificities of the mountain geography. They possess distinct temporal and spatial characteristics in a unique socio-cultural setting. There is an ever increasing need for spatial and temporal data for planning and management activities; and Geo Information (GI) Science (including Geographic Information and Earth Observation Systems). This is being recognized more and more as a common platform for integrating spatial data with social, economic and environmental data and information from different sources. This paper investigates the applicability and challenges of GISscience in the context of mountain geography with ample evidences and observations from the mountain specific publications, empirical research findings and reports. The contextual explanation of mountain geography, mountain specific problems, scientific concerns about the mountain geography, advances in GIScience, the role of GIScience for sustainable development, challenges on application of GIScience in the contexts of mountains are the points of discussion. Finally, conclusion has been made with some specific action oriented recommendations.

scholarly journals Temperament, Plasticity, and Emotions in Defensive Behaviour of Paca (Mammalia, Hystricognatha)

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 293
Author(s):  
Selene S. C. Nogueira ◽  
Sérgio L. G. Nogueira-Filho ◽  
José M. B. Duarte ◽  
Michael Mendl
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Behavioural Plasticity ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Defensive Behaviour ◽  
Rapid Adaptation ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Judgement Bias ◽  
Temperament Dimension ◽  
Ambiguous Cue

Within a species, some individuals are better able to cope with threatening environments than others. Paca (Cuniculus paca) appear resilient to over-hunting by humans, which may be related to the behavioural plasticity shown by this species. To investigate this, we submitted captive pacas to temperament tests designed to assess individual responses to short challenges and judgement bias tests (JBT) to evaluate individuals’ affective states. Results indicated across-time and context stability in closely correlated “agitated”, “fearful” and “tense” responses; this temperament dimension was labelled “restless”. Individual “restless” scores predicted responses to novelty, although not to simulated chasing and capture by humans in a separate modified defence test battery (MDTB). Restless animals were more likely to show a greater proportion of positive responses to an ambiguous cue during JBT after the MDTB. Plasticity in defensive behaviour was inferred from changes in behavioural responses and apparently rapid adaptation to challenge in the different phases of the MDTB. The results indicate that both temperament and behavioural plasticity may play a role in influencing paca responses to risky situations. Therefore, our study highlights the importance of understanding the role of individual temperament traits and behavioural plasticity in order to better interpret the animals’ conservation status and vulnerabilities.

Holocene soil-geomorphic surfaces influence the role of salmon-derived nutrients in the coastal temperate rainforest of Southeast Alaska

Geomorphology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 126 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 377-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
David V. D'Amore ◽  
Nicholas S. Bonzey ◽  
Jacob Berkowitz ◽  
Janine Rüegg ◽  
Scott Bridgham
Keyword(s):  
Temperate Rainforest ◽  
Southeast Alaska ◽  
Geomorphic Surfaces

Autonomous and non-autonomous differentiation of ectoderm in different sea urchin species

Development ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 121 (5) ◽  
pp. 1497-1505 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.H. Wikramanayake ◽  
B.P. Brandhorst ◽  
W.H. Klein
Keyword(s):  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Strongylocentrotus Purpuratus ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Cellular Interactions ◽  
V Protein ◽  
Lytechinus Pictus ◽  
Sea Urchin Embryo ◽  
Oral Ectoderm ◽  
Temporal And Spatial

During early embryogenesis, the highly regulative sea urchin embryo relies extensively on cell-cell interactions for cellular specification. Here, the role of cellular interactions in the temporal and spatial expression of markers for oral and aboral ectoderm in Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and Lytechinus pictus was investigated. When pairs of mesomeres or animal caps, which are fated to give rise to ectoderm, were isolated and cultured they developed into ciliated embryoids that were morphologically polarized. In animal explants from S. purpuratus, the aboral ectoderm-specific Spec1 gene was activated at the same time as in control embryos and at relatively high levels. The Spec1 protein was restricted to the squamous epithelial cells in the embryoids suggesting that an oral-aboral axis formed and aboral ectoderm differentiation occurred correctly. However, the Ecto V protein, a marker for oral ectoderm differentiation, was detected throughout the embryoid and no stomodeum or ciliary band formed. These results indicated that animal explants from S. purpuratus were autonomous in their ability to form an oral-aboral axis and to differentiate aboral ectoderm, but other aspects of ectoderm differentiation require interaction with vegetal blastomeres. In contrast to S. purpuratus, aboral ectoderm-specific genes were not expressed in animal explants from L. pictus even though the resulting embryoids were morphologically very similar to those of S. purpuratus. Recombination of the explants with vegetal blastomeres or exposure to the vegetalizing agent LiCl restored activity of aboral ectoderm-specific genes, suggesting the requirement of a vegetal induction for differentiation of aboral ectoderm cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

scholarly journals Temporal and Spatial Coexistence of Archaeal and BacterialamoAGenes and Gene Transcripts in Lake Lucerne

Archaea ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth W. Vissers ◽  
Flavio S. Anselmetti ◽  
Paul L. E. Bodelier ◽  
Gerard Muyzer ◽  
Christa Schleper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Water Layer ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Ammonia Oxidizers ◽  
Lake Lucerne ◽  
Ammonia Oxidizing Archaea ◽  
Gene Transcripts ◽  
Temporal And Spatial

Despite their crucial role in the nitrogen cycle, freshwater ecosystems are relatively rarely studied for active ammonia oxidizers (AO). This study of Lake Lucerne determined the abundance of bothamoAgenes and gene transcripts of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) over a period of 16 months, shedding more light on the role of both AO in a deep, alpine lake environment. At the surface, at 42 m water depth, and in the water layer immediately above the sediment, AOA generally outnumbered AOB. However, in the surface water during summer stratification, when both AO were low in abundance, AOB were more numerous than AOA. Temporal distribution patterns of AOA and AOB were comparable. Higher abundances ofamoAgene transcripts were observed at the onset and end of summer stratification. In summer, archaealamoAgenes and transcripts correlated negatively with temperature and conductivity. Concentrations of ammonium and oxygen did not vary enough to explain theamoAgene and transcript dynamics. The observed herbivorous zooplankton may have caused a hidden flux of mineralized ammonium and a change in abundance of genes and transcripts. At the surface, AO might have been repressed during summer stratification due to nutrient limitation caused by active phytoplankton.

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