scholarly journals No deep diving: evidence of predation on epipelagic fish for a stem beaked whale from the Late Miocene of Peru

2015 ◽  
Vol 282 (1815) ◽  
pp. 20151530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Lambert ◽  
Alberto Collareta ◽  
Walter Landini ◽  
Klaas Post ◽  
Benjamin Ramassamy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Late Miocene ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Beaked Whale ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Deep Diving ◽  
Beaked Whales ◽  
Pacific Sardine ◽  
Fish Remains

Although modern beaked whales (Ziphiidae) are known to be highly specialized toothed whales that predominantly feed at great depths upon benthic and benthopelagic prey, only limited palaeontological data document this major ecological shift. We report on a ziphiid–fish assemblage from the Late Miocene of Peru that we interpret as the first direct evidence of a predator–prey relationship between a ziphiid and epipelagic fish. Preserved in a dolomite concretion, a skeleton of the stem ziphiid Messapicetus gregarius was discovered together with numerous skeletons of a clupeiform fish closely related to the epipelagic extant Pacific sardine ( Sardinops sagax ). Based on the position of fish individuals along the head and chest regions of the ziphiid, the lack of digestion marks on fish remains and the homogeneous size of individuals, we propose that this assemblage results from the death of the whale (possibly via toxin poisoning) shortly after the capture of prey from a single school. Together with morphological data and the frequent discovery of fossil crown ziphiids in deep-sea deposits, this exceptional record supports the hypothesis that only more derived ziphiids were regular deep divers and that the extinction of epipelagic forms may coincide with the radiation of true dolphins.

scholarly journals Deep-diving beaked whales dive together but forage apart

2021 ◽  
Vol 288 (1942) ◽  
pp. 20201905
Author(s):  
Jesús Alcázar-Treviño ◽  
Mark Johnson ◽  
Patricia Arranz ◽  
Victoria E. Warren ◽  
Carlos J. Pérez-González ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beaked Whale ◽  
Acoustic Interference ◽  
Deep Diving ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Group Competition ◽  
Foraging Performance ◽  
Cooperative Foraging ◽  
Beaked Whales ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Benefits And Costs

Echolocating animals that forage in social groups can potentially benefit from eavesdropping on other group members, cooperative foraging or social defence, but may also face problems of acoustic interference and intra-group competition for prey. Here, we investigate these potential trade-offs of sociality for extreme deep-diving Blainville′s and Cuvier's beaked whales. These species perform highly synchronous group dives as a presumed predator-avoidance behaviour, but the benefits and costs of this on foraging have not been investigated. We show that group members could hear their companions for a median of at least 91% of the vocal foraging phase of their dives. This enables whales to coordinate their mean travel direction despite differing individual headings as they pursue prey on a minute-by-minute basis. While beaked whales coordinate their echolocation-based foraging periods tightly, individual click and buzz rates are both independent of the number of whales in the group. Thus, their foraging performance is not affected by intra-group competition or interference from group members, and they do not seem to capitalize directly on eavesdropping on the echoes produced by the echolocation clicks of their companions. We conclude that the close diving and vocal synchronization of beaked whale groups that quantitatively reduces predation risk has little impact on foraging performance.

scholarly journals Quantifying deep‐sea predator–prey dynamics: Implications of biological heterogeneity for beaked whale conservation

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 1040-1049 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon L. Southall ◽  
Kelly J. Benoit‐Bird ◽  
Mark A. Moline ◽  
David Moretti
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Beaked Whale ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Biological Heterogeneity

Review of Data on Diets of Beaked Whales: Evidence of Niche Separation and Geographic Segregation

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 651-665 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.D. MacLeod ◽  
M.B. Santos ◽  
G.J. Pierce
Keyword(s):  
Prey Species ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Niche Separation ◽  
Beaked Whale ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Dietary Niche ◽  
Beaked Whales ◽  
Fish Remains

This study reviewed published data on dietary preferences of beaked whales (Ziphiidae) from stomach contents analysis. Detailed data were only available for three of the six beaked whale genera (Hyperoodon, Mesoplodon and Ziphius). Stomach samples of these three beaked whale genera primarily contained cephalopod and fish remains, although some also contained crustaceans. Mesoplodon spp. were found to contain the most fish, with some species containing nothing but fish remains, while the southern bottlenose whale (Hyperoodon planifrons) and Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) rarely, if ever, contained fish. Of cephalopods identified, Histioteuthid, Gonatid, Cranchiid and Onychoteuthid species usually contributed most to prey numbers and biomass for all beaked whale genera. There was a wide range of species and families of cephalopods recorded from stomach contents, with no obvious preference for bioluminescent prey species, vertical migrating prey species or prey species with specific body compositions. Whales of the genus Mesoplodon generally contained smaller prey, such as cephalopods under 500 g in weight, compared with other beaked whales. Hyperoodon and Ziphius frequently contained much larger cephalopods with many important prey species having a mean weight of over 1000 g. This suggests that Mesoplodon occupies a separate dietary niche from Hyperoodon and Ziphius, which may be an example of niche segregation. In contrast, Hyperoodon and Ziphius appear to occupy very similar dietary niches but have geographically segregated distributions, with Hyperoodon occupying cold-temperate to polar waters and Ziphius occupying warm-temperate to tropical waters.

scholarly journals New beaked whales from the late Miocene of Peru and evidence for convergent evolution in stem and crown Ziphiidae (Cetacea, Odontoceti)

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Bianucci ◽  
Claudio Di Celma ◽  
Mario Urbina ◽  
Olivier Lambert
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Late Miocene ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Diving Behavior ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Facial Morphology ◽  
Deep Diving ◽  
Southeastern Pacific ◽  
Beaked Whales

The Ziphiidae (beaked whales) represent a large group of open-ocean odontocetes (toothed cetaceans), whose elusive and deep diving behavior prevents direct observation in their natural habitat. Despite their generally large body size, broad geographical distribution, and high species number, ziphiids thus remain poorly known. Furthermore, the evolutionary processes that have led to their extreme adaptations and impressive extant diversity are still poorly understood. Here we report new fossil beaked whales from the late Miocene of the Pisco Formation (southern Peru). The best preserved remains here described are referred to two new genera and species, the MessinianChavinziphius maxillocristatusand the TortonianChimuziphius coloradensis, based on skull remains from two marine vertebrate-rich localities: Cerro Los Quesos and Cerro Colorado, respectively.C. maxillocristatusis medium sized retains a complete set of functional lower teeth, and bears robust rostral maxillary crests similar to those of the extantBerardius. By contrast,C. coloradensisis small and characterized by large triangular nasals and moderately thickened premaxillae that dorsally close the mesorostral groove. Both species confirm the high past diversity of Ziphiidae, the richest cetacean family in terms of the number of genera and species. Our new phylogenetic and biogeographical analyses depart markedly from earlier studies in dividing beaked whales into two major clades: theMessapicetusclade, which, along with other stem ziphiids, once dominated the southeastern Pacific and North Atlantic; and crown Ziphiidae, the majority of which are found in deep-water regions of the Southern Ocean, with possible subsequent dispersal both globally (MesoplodonandZiphius) and to the cooler waters of the northern oceans (BerardiusandHyperoodon). Despite this relatively clear separation, both lineages seem to follow similar evolutionary trends, including (1) a progressive reduction of dentition; (2) an increase in the compactness and thickness of the rostral bones; (3) similar changes in facial morphology (e.g., elevation of the vertex); and (4) an increase of body size. We suggest that these trends may be linked to a convergent ecological shift to deep diving and suction feeding.

scholarly journals Speciation in the deep: genomics and morphology reveal a new species of beaked whale Mesoplodon eueu

2021 ◽  
Vol 288 (1961) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma L. Carroll ◽  
Michael R. McGowen ◽  
Morgan L. McCarthy ◽  
Felix G. Marx ◽  
Natacha Aguilar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Taxonomic Diversity ◽  
Beaked Whale ◽  
The North ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Morphometric Analyses ◽  
Beaked Whales ◽  
Archival Specimens

The deep sea has been described as the last major ecological frontier, as much of its biodiversity is yet to be discovered and described. Beaked whales (ziphiids) are among the most visible inhabitants of the deep sea, due to their large size and worldwide distribution, and their taxonomic diversity and much about their natural history remain poorly understood. We combine genomic and morphometric analyses to reveal a new Southern Hemisphere ziphiid species, Ramari's beaked whale, Mesoplodon eueu , whose name is linked to the Indigenous peoples of the lands from which the species holotype and paratypes were recovered. Mitogenome and ddRAD-derived phylogenies demonstrate reciprocally monophyletic divergence between M. eueu and True's beaked whale ( M. mirus ) from the North Atlantic, with which it was previously subsumed. Morphometric analyses of skulls also distinguish the two species. A time-calibrated mitogenome phylogeny and analysis of two nuclear genomes indicate divergence began circa 2 million years ago (Ma), with geneflow ceasing 0.35–0.55 Ma. This is an example of how deep sea biodiversity can be unravelled through increasing international collaboration and genome sequencing of archival specimens. Our consultation and involvement with Indigenous peoples offers a model for broadening the cultural scope of the scientific naming process.

scholarly journals Identification of stomach contents from a Shepherd's beaked whale Tasmacetus shepherdi stranded on Tristan da Cunha, South Atlantic

2012 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 1093-1097 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.B. Best ◽  
M.J. Smale ◽  
J. Glass ◽  
K. Herian ◽  
S. Von Der Heyden
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Continental Slope ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Beaked Whale ◽  
Tristan Da Cunha ◽  
Beaked Whales ◽  
Fish Remains ◽  
Beryx Splendens

Shepherd's beaked whale Tasmacetus shepherdi is one of the most poorly known cetaceans, whose diet has created some speculation given that its dentition differs greatly from that of most other beaked whales that are primarily teuthophagous. The few stomachs examined previously have given seemingly conflicting dietary information. In this paper the stomach contents of a freshly stranded adult female on Tristan da Cunha have been examined through identification of trace elements and genetic analysis of soft parts. At least 13 cephalopod and 8 fish species were identified from beaks and otoliths respectively, but only undigested fish remains were present in the stomach and identified genetically as Beryx splendens. Reconstituted masses totaled 8809 g for cephalopods and 17,554 g for fish, with four species (Histioteuthis atlantica, Taningia danae, Ommastrephes bartrami and Pholidoteuthis ‘A’) comprising 78.6% of the cephalopods and one species (B. splendens) comprising 87.4% of the fish eaten. It is concluded that Tasmacetus may alternately exploit fish and cephalopods, depending on the time of day and access to seamount or continental slope areas.

scholarly journals Do we have enough information to apply the ecosystem approach to management of deep-sea fisheries? An example from the West of Scotland

2010 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna J. Heymans ◽  
Kerry L. Howell ◽  
Morag Ayers ◽  
Michael T. Burrows ◽  
John D. M. Gordon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
The West ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Relative Paucity ◽  
Water Ecosystem ◽  
Fisheries Interactions

Abstract Heymans, J. J., Howell, K. L., Ayers, M., Burrows, M. T., Gordon, J. D. M., Jones, E. G., and Neat, F. 2011. Do we have enough information to apply the ecosystem approach to management of deep-sea fisheries? An example from the West of Scotland. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 265–280. There is currently a global call for more use of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM), and ecosystem models such as Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) are being used to provide a holistic view of ecosystem–fisheries interactions. Although these can be useful for an EAFM, the relative paucity of data available for deep-sea ecosystems raises concerns whether we can effectively apply an EAFM to the deep sea. The deep-sea ecosystem off the west coast of Scotland has been studied for longer and in more detail than most. This study assimilates the significant published and unpublished information available on this ecosystem into an EwE model. The results suggest that there are sufficient data available to construct an ecosystem model, but the quality of the data varies and serious potential sources of error are present in biomass and discard estimates. The assumptions needed to produce a model are varied and must be considered when interpreting the outputs of the model. Ecosystem modelling provides a unique view of the deep-water ecosystem and facilitates hypothesis development concerning predator–prey and inter-fishery interactions. Sharks are used to illustrate the benefits of using an ecosystem model to describe changes in their biomass and their prey species. The results show that both fishing for sharks and fishing for their prey affect the biomass of sharks.

scholarly journals Diversity, relative density and structure of the cetacean community in summer months east of Great Abaco, Bahamas

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 469-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin D. MacLeod ◽  
Nan Hauser ◽  
Hoyt Peckham
Keyword(s):  
Relative Density ◽  
Sperm Whale ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Beaked Whale ◽  
Stenella Frontalis ◽  
Deep Diving ◽  
Feeding Niche ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Cuvier’S Beaked Whale ◽  
Water Depths

Little is known about cetacean communities in the tropical and sub-tropical Atlantic. This paper describes the cetacean community found east of Great Abaco in the northern Bahamas (26·5°N) during summer months between 1998 and 2001. Nine species of cetaceans were recorded, which could be divided into two distinct groupings: firstly, ‘permanent’ species, which had relative sightings rates between 0·026–0·084 sightings per hour and which were recorded on many occasions in all years and most months; secondly, ‘sporadic’ species, which had relative sightings rates an order of magnitude lower (0·004–0·008 sightings per hour) and which were recorded on very few occasions. The ‘permanent’ species were the Stenella frontalis (Atlantic spotted dolphin), Kogia simus (the dwarf sperm whale), Mesoplodon densirostris (Blainville's beaked whale) and Ziphius cavirostris (Cuvier's beaked whale). These four species differed significantly in the depth of grid squares utilized (χ=20·25, df=9, P<0·01) suggesting that these species occupied four separate niches. Stenella frontalis dominated the surface feeding niche, while the remaining three deep-diving species segregated into different depth ranges. Kogia simus was the dominant species in water depths of less than 200 m, M. densirostris in water depths of 200 to 1000 m and Z. cavirostris in water depths of greater than 1000 m. The overall relative density (2·533 individuals per hour of effort) and diversity of species in the study area was relatively low and may relate to low levels of local productivity. It is hypothesized that the four ‘permanent’ species may competitively exclude ecologically similar species, resulting in a reduced number of species and that ‘sporadic’ species may only enter the study area during times of higher than usual productivity when the ‘permanent’ species are no longer able to dominate their individual niches.

Photoreceptor coupling in turtle retina

1998 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 755-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.L. FIRSOV ◽  
D.G. GREEN
Keyword(s):  
Receptive Field ◽  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
The Other ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Chelydra Serpentina ◽  
Intracellular Injection ◽  
Coupled Cells ◽  
High Degree

Photoreceptors in the isolated turtle retina of two species of turtle, Chelydra serpentina and Pseudemus scripta elegans, were penetrated with double-barrel electrodes. Physiological responses were recorded through one barrel and Neurobiotin tracer was injected from the other. Intracellular injection of Neurobiotin revealed patterns of tracer-coupled photoreceptors. Both the patterns of tracer coupling and the electrophysiology suggest a high degree of specificity of connections. Rods seem to be coupled only to rods and green and red cones seem to be coupled to cones of the same spectral type. Receptive-field profiles, measured with a thin, sharply focused slit of light, often had well-defined peaks and troughs in sensitivity. We have taken advantage of this observation and used the position of a peak in sensitivity to locate the position on the retina of a coupled cell. In one rod, it was possible to correlate physiological and morphological data and to show that the peaks in the physiological receptive field occurred at positions on the retina where there were dye-coupled cells. This provides direct evidence that gap junctions produce the physiological coupling between rods.

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