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Faecal analysis of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) in Península Valdés calving ground, Argentina: Calanus australis, a key prey species

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 December 2015

Valeria C. D'Agostino ,
Mónica S. Hoffmeyer  and
Mariana Degrati
Valeria C. D'Agostino*
Affiliation:
Centro Nacional Patagónico–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Boulevard Brown 2915, U9120ACV Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
Mónica S. Hoffmeyer
Affiliation:
Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía, Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca, CONICET, Camino La Carrindanga Km 7.5, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Argentina Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, 11 de Abril 461, B8000LMI Bahía Blanca, Argentina
Mariana Degrati
Affiliation:
Centro Nacional Patagónico–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Boulevard Brown 2915, U9120ACV Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia, San Juan Bosco, Boulevard Brown 3150, U9120ACV Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: V.C. D'Agostino, Centro Nacional Patagónico–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Boulevard Brown 2915, U9120ACV Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Península Valdés (PV) is the most austral calving ground for the SW Atlantic population of Eubalaena australis. Recent studies indicate that E. australis often feeds in PV mainly in late September and October. A microscopic analysis of food chitin remains found in five whale faeces was performed in the present study in an attempt to obtain baseline knowledge about trophic ecology and degree of use of plankton food available for whales in PV during spring (September–December). The remains in faeces from stranded and live individuals included copepods, other zooplankton and centric diatoms, all of which were characterized. Copepod remains were found to be dominant. Scanning electron and confocal laser scanning microscopes were used for comparative analyses between the mandibular gnathobases found in whale faeces and those obtained from preserved specimens. Mandibular gnathobases were the same in structure and morphometry as those obtained from preserved Calanus australis (copepodites 4–6). The positive relationship observed between the total length and width of the mandibular gnathobases edge of C. australis and those found in faeces allowed us to infer the developmental stages of the copepods ingested by E. australis. Our results indicate – for the first time – the relevant role of C. australis copepodite 5 as main prey for E. australis in PV during the calving season. Copepodite 5 of C. australis accumulates energy-rich lipids. This is energetically attractive for whales and it is the potential reason why E. australis feeds mainly on dense patches dominated by this developmental stage of C. australis.

Keywords

Eubalaena australisright whalesCalanus australisNorth Patagonian Gulfscopepodfeedingmandibular gnathobasescalving groundPenínsula Valdés
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 96 , Issue 4: Marine Mammals , June 2016 , pp. 859 - 868
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2015 

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