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dc.contributor.authorRyan, C
dc.contributor.authorBerrow, S
dc.contributor.authorMcHugh, B
dc.contributor.authorO'Donnell, C
dc.contributor.authorTrueman, C
dc.contributor.authorO'Connor, I
dc.date.accessioned2014-05-16T11:14:20Z
dc.date.available2014-05-16T11:14:20Z
dc.date.issued2014-01
dc.identifier.citationRyan, C., Berrow, S. D., McHugh, B., O'Donnell, C., Trueman, C. N. and O'Connor, I. (2014), Prey preferences of sympatric fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) whales revealed by stable isotope mixing models. Marine Mammal Science, 30: 242–258. doi: 10.1111/mms.12034en_GB
dc.identifier.otherDOI:10.1111/mms.12034
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10793/963
dc.description.abstractOver-exploitation of top predators and fish stocks has altered ecosystems towards less productive systems with fewer trophic levels. In the Celtic Sea (CS), discards and bycatch levels have prompted concern about some fisheries, while fin and humpback whales are recovering from centuries of over-exploitation. A lack of empirical evidence on the preferred diet of some predators such as whales in the CS has hindered the implementation of effective conservation measures using an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management. Using a Bayesian framework (SIAR), stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope mixing models were used to assign proportionate diet solutions to fin and humpback whales (skin biopsies) and putative prey items: herring (Clupea harengus), sprat (Sprattus sprattus), and krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica and Nyctiphanes couchii) in the CS. Krill was the single most important prey item in the diet of fin whales, but one of the least important for humpback whales (albeit based on a small sample of humpback whale samples). Age 0 sprat and herring comprised a large proportion of the diet of both species, followed by older sprat (age 1–2) and older herring (age 2–4). An ecosystem based approach to fisheries management will be required in the CS if we seek effective conservation of both fin and humpback whales, and sustainable fisheries.en_GB
dc.description.sponsorshipThe Irish Research Council, Global Biodiversity Information Facility, and Ireland Newfoundland Partnershipen_GB
dc.language.isoenen_GB
dc.publisherWileyen_GB
dc.relation.ispartofseriesMarine Mammal Science;Vol 30 (1)
dc.subjectdieten_GB
dc.subjectSIARen_GB
dc.subjectBayesian mixing modelen_GB
dc.subjectbiopsyen_GB
dc.subjectBalaenopteridaeen_GB
dc.titlePrey preferences of sympatric fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) whales revealed by stable isotope mixing modelsen_GB
dc.typeTechnical Reporten_GB
refterms.dateFOA2018-01-12T02:46:27Z


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