Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation
 

Ecological interrelationships between summer resident gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) and their prey, mysid shrimp (Holmesimysis sculpta and Neomysis rayi) along the central Oregon coast

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  • The ecological interaction between the largest coastal predator, the gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) and the most abundant shallow water marcrozooplanktonic prey, mysids, were examined in a poorly-understood predator-prey relationship along the central Oregon coast. From 2002-2008, 83 seasonal gray whales were identified. These whales returned each year around Memorial Day and stayed until mid October preying on mysid swarms as determined from fecal material and feeding behaviors. The two mysid species preyed upon were Holmesimysis sculpta and Neomysis rayi. This resea rch provided information on the spatial/temporal pattern of mysid distribution, patch composition, density and reproductive dynamics of the mysids and how they affect gray whale distribution, abundance, residency and body condition. A determination was also made how climate affected predator-prey interactions during a warm water climate regime in 2005. In 2005, gray whales spent little time in foraging and fewer days in residence than in other years and many were in poor body condition. Mysid swarms were also sparse until August and a large percentage of females had empty brood pouches.
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