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Could whales have maintained a high abundance of krill?
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 21:37 authored by Willis, JQuestion: Several million large whales were killed between 1900 and 1970. All these whales preyed on krill (Euphausia superba). Why has krill population abundance declined after the elimination of their primary predator? Hypothesis: Krill have changed their behaviour due to the absence of whales and this change in behaviour has resulted in a decrease in krill abundance. Methods: I reproduced a computer model of krill life history. I then extended the model as an individual-based model to show the effects of habitat choice on individual lifetime reproductive success and abundance. Conclusions: In the context of our current understanding of krill physiology, predator-invoked behaviour may lead to increased population abundance and, without the predator, natural selection may favour behaviour that would lead to lower abundance. This reverses the predictions of mass balance ecosystem models. © 2007 Jay Willis.
History
Publication title
Evolutionary Ecology ResearchVolume
9Issue
4Pagination
651-662ISSN
1522-0613Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Evolutionary Ecology LtdPlace of publication
United StatesRepository Status
- Restricted