MEPS

Marine Ecology Progress Series

MEPS is a leading hybrid research journal on all aspects of marine, coastal and estuarine ecology. Priority is given to outstanding research that advances our ecological understanding.

Online: ISSN 1616-1599

Print: ISSN 0171-8630

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps

Impact Factor2.1 (JCR 2025 release)

Article Acceptance Rate52.2% (2024)

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Volume contents
Mar Ecol Prog Ser 405:255-269 (2010)

Spatial association between hotspots of baleen whales and demographic patterns of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba suggests size-dependent predation

ABSTRACT: We examined the spatial association between baleen whales and their principal prey, Antarctic krill Euphausia superba near the South Shetland Islands (Antarctic Peninsula) using data collected by the US Antarctic Marine Living Resources (AMLR) program during January surveys from 2003 through 2007. Whale distributions were determined using ship-based visual surveys, while data on krill distribution, abundance, and demographic characteristics were derived from net hauls. Approximately 25000 km of transects and 500 net hauls were sampled over 5 yr. We defined hotspots based on statistical criteria to describe persistent areas of occurrence of both whales and krill. Hotspots were identified, and whales and krill length-maturity classes exhibited distinct spatial segregation in their distribution patterns. We found that baleen whales aggregated to krill hotspots that differed in size structure. Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae were associated with small (<35 mm) juvenile krill in Bransfield Strait, whereas fin whales Balaenoptera physalus were associated with large (>45 mm) mature krill located offshore. Overlapping these size-dependent krill distributions, Antarctic minke whales B. bonaerensis were associated with intermediate sized krill (35–44 mm). The correlation among different whale species and krill swarms of differing size composition presents an intriguing pattern that deserves further study.

KEYWORDS

Jarrod A. Santora (Co-author)

  • Farallon Institute for Advanced Ecosystem Research, PO Box 750756, Petaluma, California 94952, USA
  • Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 3333 Torrey Pines Ct., La Jolla, California 92037, USA

Christian S. Reiss (Co-author)

  • Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 3333 Torrey Pines Ct., La Jolla, California 92037, USA

Valerie J. Loeb (Co-author)

  • Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, California 95039, USA

Richard R. Veit (Co-author)

  • Biology Department, College of Staten Island, City University of New York, 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10314, USA