Individual and population dietary specialization decline in fin whales during a period of ecosystem shift

Abstract This study sought to estimate the effect of an anthropogenic and climate-driven change in prey availability on the degree of individual and population specialization of a large marine predator, the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). We examined skin biopsies from 99 fin whales sampled in th...

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Autores principales:	Cabrol Jory, Véronique Lesage, Alexandra Leclerc, Janie Giard, Sara Iverson, Martine Bérubé, Robert Michaud, Christian Nozais
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	Nature Portfolio 2021
Materias:	Medicine R Science Q
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/06f952d3ad604e049cd1c38fac686292
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:06f952d3ad604e049cd1c38fac6862922021-12-02T15:09:07ZIndividual and population dietary specialization decline in fin whales during a period of ecosystem shift10.1038/s41598-021-96283-x2045-2322https://doaj.org/article/06f952d3ad604e049cd1c38fac6862922021-08-01T00:00:00Zhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96283-xhttps://doaj.org/toc/2045-2322Abstract This study sought to estimate the effect of an anthropogenic and climate-driven change in prey availability on the degree of individual and population specialization of a large marine predator, the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). We examined skin biopsies from 99 fin whales sampled in the St. Lawrence Estuary (Canada) over a nine year period (1998–2006) during which environmental change was documented. We analyzed stable isotope ratios in skin and fatty acid signatures in blubber samples of whales, as well as in seven potential prey species, and diet was quantitatively assessed using Bayesian isotopic models. An abrupt change in fin whale dietary niche coincided with a decrease in biomass of their predominant prey, Arctic krill (Thysanoessa spp.). This dietary niche widening toward generalist diets occurred in nearly 60% of sampled individuals. The fin whale population, typically composed of specialists of either krill or lipid-rich pelagic fishes, shifted toward one composed either of krill specialists or true generalists feeding on various zooplankton and fish prey. This change likely reduced intraspecific competition. In the context of the current “Atlantification” of northern water masses, our findings emphasize the importance of considering individual-specific foraging tactics and not only population or group average responses when assessing population resilience or when implementing conservation measures.Cabrol JoryVéronique LesageAlexandra LeclercJanie GiardSara IversonMartine BérubéRobert MichaudChristian NozaisNature PortfolioarticleMedicineRScienceQENScientific Reports, Vol 11, Iss 1, Pp 1-14 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Medicine R Science Q
spellingShingle	Medicine R Science Q Cabrol Jory Véronique Lesage Alexandra Leclerc Janie Giard Sara Iverson Martine Bérubé Robert Michaud Christian Nozais Individual and population dietary specialization decline in fin whales during a period of ecosystem shift
description	Abstract This study sought to estimate the effect of an anthropogenic and climate-driven change in prey availability on the degree of individual and population specialization of a large marine predator, the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). We examined skin biopsies from 99 fin whales sampled in the St. Lawrence Estuary (Canada) over a nine year period (1998–2006) during which environmental change was documented. We analyzed stable isotope ratios in skin and fatty acid signatures in blubber samples of whales, as well as in seven potential prey species, and diet was quantitatively assessed using Bayesian isotopic models. An abrupt change in fin whale dietary niche coincided with a decrease in biomass of their predominant prey, Arctic krill (Thysanoessa spp.). This dietary niche widening toward generalist diets occurred in nearly 60% of sampled individuals. The fin whale population, typically composed of specialists of either krill or lipid-rich pelagic fishes, shifted toward one composed either of krill specialists or true generalists feeding on various zooplankton and fish prey. This change likely reduced intraspecific competition. In the context of the current “Atlantification” of northern water masses, our findings emphasize the importance of considering individual-specific foraging tactics and not only population or group average responses when assessing population resilience or when implementing conservation measures.
format	article
author	Cabrol Jory Véronique Lesage Alexandra Leclerc Janie Giard Sara Iverson Martine Bérubé Robert Michaud Christian Nozais
author_facet	Cabrol Jory Véronique Lesage Alexandra Leclerc Janie Giard Sara Iverson Martine Bérubé Robert Michaud Christian Nozais
author_sort	Cabrol Jory
title	Individual and population dietary specialization decline in fin whales during a period of ecosystem shift
title_short	Individual and population dietary specialization decline in fin whales during a period of ecosystem shift
title_full	Individual and population dietary specialization decline in fin whales during a period of ecosystem shift
title_fullStr	Individual and population dietary specialization decline in fin whales during a period of ecosystem shift
title_full_unstemmed	Individual and population dietary specialization decline in fin whales during a period of ecosystem shift
title_sort	individual and population dietary specialization decline in fin whales during a period of ecosystem shift
publisher	Nature Portfolio
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/06f952d3ad604e049cd1c38fac686292
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Individual and population dietary specialization decline in fin whales during a period of ecosystem shift

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