Occurrence of killer whales in Scottish inshore waters: temporal and spatial patterns relative to the distribution of declining harbour seal populations

被引:26
作者
Bolt, Harriet E. [1 ]
Harvey, Paul V. [2 ]
Mandleberg, Laura [3 ]
Foote, Andrew D. [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Aberdeen, Inst Biol & Environm Sci, Lighthouse Field Stn, George St, Cromarty IV11 8YE, Scotland
[2] Shetland Biol Records Ctr, Lerwick ZE1 0NY, Shetland, Scotland
[3] Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust, Tobermory PA75 6NU, Isle Of Mull, Scotland
关键词
killer whale; Orcinus orca; Scotland; harbour seal; predation; top-down forcing; SEQUENTIAL MEGAFAUNAL COLLAPSE; NORTH PACIFIC-OCEAN; ORCINUS-ORCA; FORAGING BEHAVIOR; PHOCA-VITULINA; MARION ISLAND; ABUNDANCE; PREDATION; HYPOTHESIS; MOVEMENTS;
D O I
10.1002/aqc.1030
中图分类号
X [环境科学、安全科学];
学科分类号
08 ; 0830 ;
摘要
1. Sightings of killer whales around Shetland were recorded between 1991 and 2006 and for the whole of Scotland for 2007. The data were used to investigate temporal patterns in killer whale occurrence around Shetland and spatial patterns in occurrence around Scotland. 2. There was a strong seasonal peak in sightings around Shetland during June-July, coinciding with the harbour seal pupping season. 3. There was no clear trend in annual sightings around Shetland between 1991 and 2006. 4. Killer whales were sighted most frequently around Shetland and the Pentland Firth as well as around Mull and the Treshnish Isles. 5. These findings are discussed in terms of potential impacts upon local declining harbour seal populations and future research requirements. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
引用
收藏
页码:671 / 675
页数:5
相关论文
共 28 条