>
> Dear MARMAM Subscribers,
> My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the following open access
> publication in *Scientific Reports*
>
> Eisenmann, P.; Fry, B.; Mazumder, D.; Jacobsen, G.; Holyoake, C.;
> Coughran, D.; Bengtson Nash, S. M. (2017) Radiocarbon as a tracer of
> migration in southern hemisphere humpback whales. Scientific Reports, 7,
> 4366
>
> The Article can be found at:
> *https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-04698-2#Bib1
> <https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-04698-2#Bib1>*
>
*Abstract*
>
Bulk 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.
>
> If you have any questions, please email;
>
> pascale.eisenm...@griffithuni.edu.au or *s.bengtsonn...@griffith.edu.au
> <s.bengtsonn...@griffith.edu.au>*
>
> Kind regards,
>
> *Associate Professor Susan Bengtson Nash*
>
> Program Director
>
> *Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutants Program (SOPOPP)*
> Environmental Futures Research Institute (EFRI), Griffith University,
> Nathan Campus.
> 170 Kessels Road, Nathan QLD 4111 Australia.
>
> *Email*: s.bengtsonn...@griffith.edu.au
> *Phone*: +61 (0)7 3735 5062
> *Mobile*: +61 (0)437 888 711
>
> *Twitter: *@Antarctica_POPs; *Skype:* s.bengtsonnash; *Website*:
> http://www.griffith.edu.au/environment-planning-
> architecture/southern-ocean-persistent-organic-pollutants-program
>
>
>
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