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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, J
Question: 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 Research

Volume

9

Issue

4

Pagination

651-662

ISSN

1522-0613

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Evolutionary Ecology Ltd

Place of publication

United States

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Biodiversity in Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments

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