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- Title
Baffin Bay narwhal (Monodon monoceros) select bathymetry over sea ice during winter.
- Authors
Kenyon, Krista A.; Yurkowski, David J.; Orr, Jack; Barber, David; Ferguson, Steven H.
- Abstract
Arctic pack ice structure and extent have been changing due to warming. Thus, understanding important habitat features for marine mammals that depend on sea ice, such as narwhal (Monodon monoceros), during winter will provide insight into impacts of future changes within the pack ice. The objective of this study was to determine narwhal habitat selection for bathymetry, sea ice concentration, thickness, and floe size during the winter season. Nineteen narwhals were equipped with SPLASH tags in Admiralty Inlet and Eclipse Sound (2009-2011), with 50% of the transmitters lasting until April allowing for analysis of the entire winter season. Generalized linear mixed models indicated that both sexes selected similar bathymetric habitat likely corresponding to higher prey densities of Greenland halibut. This preference for prey habitat occurred regardless of the mobile pack ice structure or amount of open water at the ocean surface. In addition, we found evidence of a potential relationship between increased winter movements and decreased ice extent over the 2009-2011 period. Together these findings suggest that changes to sea ice structure likely will not negatively impact narwhal directly in the winter. However, indirect effects of changing sea ice, such as changing prey densities and distribution, increased presence of killer whales (Orcinus orca) as predators, increased interspecies competition for prey, and increased anthropogenic activities could influence winter habitat selection of narwhal. In conclusion, the extensive winter movements indicate that narwhal may be more flexible in their selection of winter habitat than previously believed.
- Subjects
BAFFIN Bay (North Atlantic Ocean); BATHYMETRY; TELEMETRY; GREENLAND halibut; EMIGRATION &; immigration
- Publication
Polar Biology, 2018, Vol 41, Issue 10, p2053
- ISSN
0722-4060
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00300-018-2345-y