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Predicting feeding success in a migratory predator: integrating telemetry, environment, and modeling techniques
Citation
Bestley, S and Patterson, TA and Hindell, MA and Gunn, JS, Predicting feeding success in a migratory predator: integrating telemetry, environment, and modeling techniques, Ecology, 91, (8) pp. 2373-2384. ISSN 0012-9658 (2010) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2010 Ecological Society of America
Abstract
Foraging theory predicts that mobile predators should target high profitability
areas with plentiful resources and minimize time spent moving between these areas. This has
led to a focus in recent literature on the identification of "hotspots" important for migratory
marine predators, i.e., regions where predators spend disproportionate amounts of time
ostensibly due to high prey abundance; and determination of the environmental features
characteristic of such areas. We investigated factors predicting foraging success in southern
bluefin tuna (SBT; Thunnus maccoyii), by integrating telemetry-based feeding and movement
data (n
= 19 fish, length to caudal fork [LCF] = 99 ± 3 cm) with environmental data over the
scale of their annual oceanic migrations during 1998–2000. We used widely available statistical
modeling techniques, generalized linear models, and generalized linear mixed models,
formulated to represent feeding as a Markov process. The results showed increased feeding
and predictability of feeding occurs in the coastal waters of southern Australia, providing
some evidence that this area represents a fixed foraging "hotspot" for juvenile tuna during the
austral summer. However, in oceanic waters southern bluefin tuna did not fit the common
model of migration, but rather showed a pattern of relatively high foraging success throughout
their migratory range, especially during periods of continuous travel. Interestingly, foraging
"coldspots" (prolonged low-feeding periods) as well as "hotspots" were apparent across
individual tracks, predicted most strongly by warm ocean temperatures. These results provide
a new perspective on the ecology of large-scale feeding migrations within the context of the
heterogeneous ocean environment, where the continuous and opportunistic feeding of
generalist predators may be more common, particularly in predatory large pelagic fishes, than
is currently documented.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Keywords: | feeding success, foraging ecology, foraging models, hotspots, Markov models, migration, predators, southern bluefin tuna, telemetry, Thunnus maccoyii |
Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
Research Group: | Zoology |
Research Field: | Animal behaviour |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Terrestrial systems and management |
Objective Field: | Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems |
UTAS Author: | Bestley, S (Dr Sophie Bestley) |
UTAS Author: | Patterson, TA (Dr Toby Patterson) |
UTAS Author: | Hindell, MA (Professor Mark Hindell) |
ID Code: | 65417 |
Year Published: | 2010 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 60 |
Deposited By: | TAFI - Zoology |
Deposited On: | 2010-11-12 |
Last Modified: | 2013-10-28 |
Downloads: | 1 View Download Statistics |
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