Radiocarbon as a novel tracer of extra-Antarctic feeding in Southern Hemisphere humpback whales

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dc.contributor.authorEisenmann, Pen_AU
dc.contributor.authorFry, Ben_AU
dc.contributor.authorMazumder, Den_AU
dc.contributor.authorJacobensen, GEen_AU
dc.contributor.authorHolyoake, CSen_AU
dc.contributor.authorCoughran, Den_AU
dc.contributor.authorBengtson Nash, Sen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2021-08-25T06:54:03Zen_AU
dc.date.available2021-08-25T06:54:03Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2017-06-29en_AU
dc.date.statistics2021-08-18en_AU
dc.description.abstractBulk stable isotope analysis provides information regarding food web interactions, and has been applied to several cetacean species for the study of migration ecology. One limitation in bulk stable isotope analysis arises when a species, such as Southern hemisphere humpback whales, utilises geographically distinct food webs with differing isotopic baselines. Migrations to areas with different baselines can result in isotopic changes that mimic changes in feeding relations, leading to ambiguous food web interpretations. Here, we demonstrate the novel application of radiocarbon measurement for the resolution of such ambiguities. Radiocarbon was measured in baleen plates from humpback whales stranded in Australia between 2007 and 2013, and in skin samples collected in Australia and Antarctica from stranded and free-ranging animals. Radiocarbon measurements showed lower values for Southern Ocean feeding than for extra-Antarctic feeding in Australian waters. While the whales mostly relied on Antarctic-derived energy stores during their annual migration, there was some evidence of feeding within temperate zone waters in some individuals. This work, to our knowledge, provides the first definitive biochemical evidence for supplementary feeding by southern hemisphere humpback whales within temperate waters during migration. Further, the work contributes a powerful new tool (radiocarbon) for tracing source regions and geographical feeding. © The Authors. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licenceen_AU
dc.identifier.articlenumber4366en_AU
dc.identifier.citationEisenmann, P., Fry, B., Mazumder, D., Jacobsen, G., Holyoake, C. S., Coughran, D., & Bengtson Nash, S. (2017). Radiocarbon as a novel tracer of extra-Antarctic feeding in Southern Hemisphere humpback whales. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 4366. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-04698-2en_AU
dc.identifier.issn2045-2322en_AU
dc.identifier.issue1en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleScientific Reportsen_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-04698-2en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/11503en_AU
dc.identifier.volume7en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherSpringer Nature Limiteden_AU
dc.subjectCarbon 14en_AU
dc.subjectTracer techniquesen_AU
dc.subjectAntarcticaen_AU
dc.subjectFeedingen_AU
dc.subjectCetaceansen_AU
dc.subjectSeasen_AU
dc.subjectAustraliaen_AU
dc.subjectMigrationen_AU
dc.subjectFish passage facilitiesen_AU
dc.subjectBaseline ecologyen_AU
dc.titleRadiocarbon as a novel tracer of extra-Antarctic feeding in Southern Hemisphere humpback whalesen_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
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