The importance of prey aggregations to the distribution of Brünnich's guillemots in Storfjorden, Svalbard

Mehlum, Fridtjof; Hunt, George L.; Klusek, Z.; Decker, Mary Beth; Nordlund, Nina

doi:10.1007/s003000050087

Cited by 16 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 6 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Large aggregations were located up to 126 km from the nearest colony (Kovalskifjellet) and 175 km from Bjørnøya. In a previous paper (Mehlum et al, 1996), we reported peaks in murre abundances on ship transects conducted closer to the breeding colonies in Storfjorden. The main aggregations in the Storfjorden area were located 19 -56 km from the colonies (Mehlum, unpubl.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…During the breeding season, birds from these colonies forage, in part, in the adjacent waters of Storfjorden. Important foraging areas may also be located farther south (Mehlum et al, 1996). In 1989, one murre dyed with picric acid at Kovalskifjellet was resighted at 76˚ 40' N near Sørkapp, 43 km south of the breeding colony (Mehlum, unpubl.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Hydrographic Features, Cetaceans and the Foraging of Thick-billed Murres snd Other Marine Birds in the Northwestern Barents Sea

Mehlum

Hunt²,

Decker³

et al. 1998

ARCTIC

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ABSTRACT. The at-sea distribution of thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia) in southeastern Svalbard waters was studied during the summers of 1992, 1993, and 1996. The Storfjordrenna region south of Svalbard was confirmed as an important foraging area for thick-billed murres; murre aggregations were located at distances of 85 to 126 km from the closest breeding colonies. Fish, mainly polar cod (Boreogadus saida), but also capelin (Mallotus villosus), were the main prey found in 16 murres and 3 black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) collected from these aggregations. Murres were seen flying with fish in their beaks at four locations 78 to 102 km away from the colonies. Murre aggregations were associated with frontal zones between cold Arctic waters and warmer Atlantic water, and in areas with strong stratification in salinity at 15 -30 m. A positive association was found between the abundance of murres and the occurrence of cetaceans. Murres and other marine birds were often seen near surfacing cetaceans. The most common cetaceans were minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris).Key words: marine birds, thick-billed murre, Uria lomvia, foraging ecology, cetaceans, Barents Sea RÉSUMÉ. Durant les étés de 1992, 1993 et 1996, on a étudié la distribution en mer de la marmette de Brünnich (Uria lomvia) dans les eaux du sud-est du Svalbard. La région Storfjordrenna au sud du Svalbard a été confirmée comme une zone importante de collecte pour la marmette de Brünnich; des concentrations de marmettes étaient situées à des distances allant de 85 à 126 km des colonies nicheuses les plus proches. Le poisson, en particulier la morue polaire (Boreogadus saida), mais aussi le capelan (Mallotus villosus), était la proie principale trouvée chez 16 marmettes et 3 mouettes tridactyles (Rissa tridactyla) prélevées dans ces concentrations. On a vu les marmettes voler avec du poisson dans leur bec à quatre endroits éloignés de 78 à 102 km des colonies. Les concentrations de marmettes étaient associées à des zones frontales entre les eaux froides de l'Arctique et l'eau plus chaude de l'Atlantique, et dans des régions ayant une forte stratification dans la salinité à une profondeur de 15 à 30 m. On a trouvé qu'il existait une association positive entre l'abondance des marmettes et la présence des cétacés. On voyait souvent les marmettes et d'autres oiseaux marins près des cétacés qui faisaient surface. Les cétacés les plus communs étaient les petits rorquals (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) et les dauphins à nez blanc (Lagenorhynchus albirostris).Mots clés: oiseaux marins, marmette de Brünnich, Uria lomvia, écologie de collecte, cétacés, mer de Barents Traduit pour la revue Arctic par Nésida Loyer.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrographic Features, Cetaceans and the Foraging of Thick-billed Murres snd Other Marine Birds in the Northwestern Barents Sea

Mehlum

Hunt²,

Decker³

et al. 1998

ARCTIC

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Marine predators may rely on oceanographic features, such as frontal systems, thermocline depth, and bathymetry to concentrate or aggregate prey (Hui 1979, 1985, Schneider 1982, Springer & Roseneau 1985, Haney 1986, 1991, Winn et al 1986, Ainley & DeMaster 1990, Reilly 1990, Boyd & Arnbom 1991, Hunt et al 1992, van Franeker 1992, Whitehead et al 1992, Elphick & Hunt 1993, Kenney et al 1995, Mehlum et al 1996, Hunt 1997. These aggregations may be essential to enable energy efficient foraging strategies in the oceanic environment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of El Niño on the foraging behavior of female northern elephant seals

Crocker¹,

Costa²,

Bœuf³

et al. 2006

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

117

106

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…A few studies report strong positive correlations (e.g. Ryan & Cooper 1989, Erikstad et al 1990, Piatt 1990, Mehlum et al 1996. Finally, many studies find that the relationship becomes stronger at increasing measurement scales (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial interaction between seabirds and prey: review and synthesis

Fauchald¹

2009

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

149

142

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Ideal Free Distribution theory predicts a close spatial match between predators and prey. Studies have shown that seabird and prey distribution seldom conforms with this prediction. In this study, I review recent theoretical advances in spatial predator-prey interactions and relate these with studies of seabirds and pelagic schooling fish and crustaceans. Studies on seabirds and prey have generally assumed that prey are nonresponsive. Predator-prey interactions should, however, be viewed as a 2-way spatial game where seabirds track concentrations of prey while prey move away from areas with high risk of predation. The outcome of the game depends on how seabirds and prey are spatially constrained. Constraints include the spatial distribution of resources, interspecific competition, the location of spawning and breeding areas, and limitations on diving depth. Although game theoretic models can explain some general aspects of the spatial interaction, the spatial distribution of seabirds and prey is generally much more aggregated and elusive than can be expected from the game theoretic equilibrium. This is because spatial pattern is formed through selforganizing behavior that includes schooling, local enhancement and area-restricted search (ARS). Schooling and local enhancement are processes with strong positive density dependence that destabilize the predator-prey interaction locally. However, the unstable local dynamics might be stabilized by spatial constraints and the effects of ARS processes at large scales.

show abstract

The importance of prey aggregations to the distribution of Brünnich's guillemots in Storfjorden, Svalbard

Cited by 16 publications

References 6 publications

Hydrographic Features, Cetaceans and the Foraging of Thick-billed Murres snd Other Marine Birds in the Northwestern Barents Sea

Hydrographic Features, Cetaceans and the Foraging of Thick-billed Murres snd Other Marine Birds in the Northwestern Barents Sea

Impact of El Niño on the foraging behavior of female northern elephant seals

Spatial interaction between seabirds and prey: review and synthesis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About