Ecological interactions between Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) and baleen whales in the South Sandwich Islands region – Exploring predator-prey biomass ratios

Baines, Mick; Jackson, Jennifer A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4158-1924; Fielding, Sophie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3152-4742; Warwick-Evans, Vicky ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0583-5504; Reichelt, Maren; Lacey, Claire; Pinder, Simon; Trathan, Phil ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6673-9930. 2022 Ecological interactions between Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) and baleen whales in the South Sandwich Islands region – Exploring predator-prey biomass ratios. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 189, 103867. 15, pp. 10.1016/j.dsr.2022.103867

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Abstract/Summary

Following the cessation of whaling, the southwest Atlantic humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) population is thought to be close to pre-exploitation size, reversing 20th century changes in abundance. Using a model-based approach applied to concurrently collected data on baleen whale abundance and Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) biomass in the South Sandwich Islands (SSI) region, we explore ecological interactions between these taxa. Krill biomass and baleen whale density were highest to the north and northeast of the SSI, where the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is deflected around the island chain. Humpback whale density was elevated at locations of krill biomass density >150 gm-2. Krill consumption by baleen whales was estimated at 19–29% of the available krill standing stock. We used historic whaling data to confirm the plausibility of these consumption rates and found evidence of rapid weight gain in humpback whales, such that blubber depleted during the breeding season could be restored in a much shorter period than previously assumed. Little is known about krill replenishment rates in the flow of the ACC, or about niche separation between recovering baleen whale populations; both factors may affect species carrying capacities and further monitoring will be required to inform the management of human activities in the region.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.dsr.2022.103867
ISSN:	0967-0637
Additional Keywords:	Humpback whale, Baleen whale, Antarctic krill, Feeding rates, Carrying capacity, Southwest atlantic
Date made live:	30 Aug 2022 08:08 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/531921

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/j.dsr.2022.103867

ISSN:

0967-0637

Additional Keywords:

Humpback whale, Baleen whale, Antarctic krill, Feeding rates, Carrying capacity, Southwest atlantic

Date made live:

30 Aug 2022 08:08 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/531921