Critically endangered Rice’s whales (Balaenoptera ricei) selectively feed on high-quality prey in the Gulf of Mexico

Kiszka, Jérémy J.; Caputo, Michelle; Vollenweider, Johanna J.; Heithaus, Michael R.; Dias, Laura Aichienger; Garrison, Lance P.

doi:10.1038/s41598-023-33905-6

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…There were no available estimates in the database for pygmy right (Caperea marginata), Rice's (B. ricei) and Omura's (B. omurai) whales. Instead, we determined the preferred prey for these whale species from published sources [27][28][29]35] and applied trophic level estimates of the preferred prey plus 1 [34]. For phylogeny, we used the dated mammal phylogeny from Upham et al [36] which was truncated to include only those species present in our dataset.…”

Section: Methods (A) Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While right and bowhead whales can feed at depth, they also take advantage of prey concentrations at the sea surface and employ surface-skimming [24,25]. Sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) are able to switch between subsurface lunging and surface skimming, depending on availability and type of prey species [2], as they can target both small fishes or zooplankton at a range of depths [26,27]. Here we use vertical, overhead images and video stills collected noninvasively from unoccupied aerial systems (UAS; drone) to measure baleen whale nares.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Morphology of nares associated with stereo-olfaction in baleen whales

Ryan,

Martins,

Healy

et al. 2024

Biol. Lett.

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The sensory mechanisms used by baleen whales (Mysticeti) for locating ephemeral, dense prey patches in vast marine habitats are poorly understood. Baleen whales have a functional olfactory system with paired rather than single blowholes (nares), potentially enabling stereo-olfaction. Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) is an odorous gas emitted by phytoplankton in response to grazing by zooplankton. Some seabirds use DMS to locate prey, but this ability has not been demonstrated in whales. For 14 extant species of baleen whale, nares morphometrics (imagery from unoccupied aerial systems, UAS) was related to published trophic level indices using Bayesian phylogenetic mixed modelling. A significant negative relationship was found between nares width and whale trophic level ( β = −0.08, lower 95% CI = −0.13, upper 95% CI = −0.03), corresponding with a 39% increase in nares width from highest to lowest trophic level. Thus, species with nasal morphology best suited to stereo-olfaction are more zooplanktivorous. These findings provide evidence that some baleen whale species may be able to localize odorants e.g. DMS. Our results help direct future behavioural trials of olfaction in baleen whales, by highlighting the most appropriate species to study. This is a research priority, given the potential for DMS-mediated plastic ingestion by whales.

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Section: Methods (A) Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphology of nares associated with stereo-olfaction in baleen whales

Ryan,

Martins,

Healy

et al. 2024

Biol. Lett.

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“…The water is then expelled, trapping the prey against the fringed baleen. Rice’s whales are thought to feed on pelagic schooling fishes 7 but the details of their prey, foraging behaviors and energetics remain unclear. To unravel one of the possible causes for the low population number of Rice’s whales, we investigated the kinematics and energetics of their foraging behavior.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kinematics and energetics of foraging behavior in Rice’s whales of the Gulf of Mexico

Kok,

Hildebrand,

MacArdle

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Rorqual foraging behavior varies with species, prey type and foraging conditions, and can be a determining factor for their fitness. Little is known about the foraging ecology of Rice’s whales (Balaenoptera ricei), an endangered species with a population of fewer than 100 individuals. Suction cup tags were attached to two Rice’s whales to collect information on their diving kinematics and foraging behavior. The tagged whales primarily exhibited lunge-feeding near the sea bottom and to a lesser extent in the water-column and at the sea surface. During 6–10 min foraging dives, the whales typically circled their prey before executing one or two feeding lunges. Longer duration dives and dives with more feeding-lunges were followed by an increase in their breathing rate. The median lunge rate of one lunge per dive of both animals was much lower than expected based on comparative research on other lunge-feeding baleen whales, and may be associated with foraging on fish instead of krill or may be an indication of different foraging conditions. Both animals spent extended periods of the night near the sea surface, increasing the risk for ship strike. Furthermore, their circling before lunging may increase the risk for entanglement in bottom-longline fishing gear. Overall, these data show that Rice’s whale foraging behavior differs from other lunge feeding rorqual species and may be a significant factor in shaping our understanding of their foraging ecology. Efforts to mitigate threats to Rice’s whales will benefit from improved understanding of patterns in their habitat use and fine-scale ecology.

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A density surface model describing the habitat of the Critically Endangered Rice’s whale Balaenoptera ricei in the Gulf of Mexico

Garrison,

Soldevilla,

Martinez

et al. 2024

Endang. Species. Res.

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The newly recognized Rice’s whale Balaenoptera ricei is among the most endangered large whale species in the world and primarily occupies a region near the continental shelf break in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico (GoMex). We analyzed visual line-transect survey data collected throughout the northern GoMex from 2003-2019 and developed spatially explicit density maps using a density surface modeling approach to examine relationships between Rice’s whale density and bathymetric and oceanographic features. We identified water depth, surface chl a concentration, bottom temperature, and bottom salinity as key parameters that define the Rice’s whale habitat. This is consistent with upwelling of cold, high-salinity water along the continental shelf break and seasonal input of high-productivity surface water originating from coastal sources. The dominant circulation patterns in the GoMex, including the presence of Loop Current eddies, lead to increased productivity and likely play a role in maintaining high densities of forage species needed to support Rice’s whales. Extrapolation of the model suggests additional regions in Mexican waters of GoMex that may be suitable for Rice’s whales. This study informs the designation of critical habitat as defined by the US Endangered Species Act and will assist in marine spatial planning activities to avoid additional anthropogenic impacts to Rice’s whales associated with the development of wind energy and aquaculture.

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Critically endangered Rice’s whales (Balaenoptera ricei) selectively feed on high-quality prey in the Gulf of Mexico

Cited by 3 publications

References 69 publications

Morphology of nares associated with stereo-olfaction in baleen whales

Morphology of nares associated with stereo-olfaction in baleen whales

Kinematics and energetics of foraging behavior in Rice’s whales of the Gulf of Mexico

A density surface model describing the habitat of the Critically Endangered Rice’s whale Balaenoptera ricei in the Gulf of Mexico

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