Ecological habitat partitioning and feeding specialisations of coastal minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) using a recently designated MPA in northeast Scotland

In the design of protected areas for cetaceans, spatial maps rarely take account of the life-history and behaviour of protected species relevant to their spatial ambit, which may be important for their management. In this study, we examined the distribution and feeding behaviours of adult versus juvenile minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) from long-term studies in the Moray Firth in northeast Scotland, where a Marine Protected Area (MPA) has recently been designated. Data were collected during dedicated boat surveys between 2001 and 2022 inclusive, from which 784 encounters with 964 whales of confirmed age-class (471 juveniles and 493 adults) were recorded from 56,263 km of survey effort, resulting in 238 focal follows. Adults and juveniles were occasionally seen together, but their distributions were not statistically correlated, and GIS revealed spatial separation / habitat partitioning by age-class―with juveniles preferring shallower, inshore waters with sandy-gravel sediments, and adults preferring deeper, offshore waters with greater bathymetric slope. GAMs suggested that the partitioning between age-classes was predominantly based on the differing proximity of animals to the shore, with juveniles showing a preference for the gentlest seabed slopes, and both adults and juveniles showing a similar preference for sandy gravel sediment types. However, the GAMs only used sightings data with available survey effort (2008 to 2022) and excluded depth due to collinearity issues. Whilst adult minkes employed a range of “active” prey-entrapment specialisations, showing inter-individual variation and seasonal plasticity in their targeted prey, juveniles almost exclusively used “passive” (low energy) feeding methods targeting low-density patches of inshore prey. These findings corroborate the need to incorporate demographic and behavioural data into spatial models when identifying priority areas for protected cetacean species. Not all areas within an MPA have equal value for a population and a better knowledge of the spatial preferences of these whales within the designated Scottish MPAs, appointed for their protection, is considered vital for their conservation

Graz. Schloßberg.

Blick zum Schloßberg mit Hauptbrück

The James Webb Space Telescope Mission

Twenty-six years ago a small committee report, building on earlier studies, expounded a compelling and poetic vision for the future of astronomy, calling for an infrared-optimized space telescope with an aperture of at least $4m$. With the support of their governments in the US, Europe, and Canada, 20,000 people realized that vision as the $6.5m$ James Webb Space Telescope. A generation of astronomers will celebrate their accomplishments for the life of the mission, potentially as long as 20 years, and beyond. This report and the scientific discoveries that follow are extended thank-you notes to the 20,000 team members. The telescope is working perfectly, with much better image quality than expected. In this and accompanying papers, we give a brief history, describe the observatory, outline its objectives and current observing program, and discuss the inventions and people who made it possible. We cite detailed reports on the design and the measured performance on orbit.Comment: Accepted by PASP for the special issue on The James Webb Space Telescope Overview, 29 pages, 4 figure

Note: Presenting vertebral deformities in bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus calves from a protected population in northeast Scotland

Photographs collected during a 23 yr photo-identification study in the Moray Firth were examined to assess the prevalence, type and severity of vertebral deformations present in bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus calves. Fifteen cases of presenting spinal anomalies (scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis and combinations thereof) of variable severity were identified in 7.4% of all known calves from the population. Thirteen of the 15 anomalies were either manifest from birth or acquired from an early age, as ascertained from longitudinal sightings histories of their mothers. Most afflicted calves died during early development or shortly after maternal separation. However, 3 survived to adulthood and persist in the population to date, in addition to 2 dependent infants whose fate remains to be established. At 15+ yr of age, the oldest surviving individual was remarkably one of the most severe cases identified, highlighting the ability of these delphinids for adaptation to such gross structural deformities. The aetiology of the observed conditions could be attributed to a range of causative factors that may have implications for the well-being and health of this North Sea coastal dolphin population, a topic which merits further investigation

Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) Occurrence in the Moray Firth, Northeast Scotland: Incidental Sightings,Behavioural Observations, and Photo-Identification

The article reports on the killer whale, known as Orcinus orca and its occurrence in the Moray Firth, Northeast Scotland. Topics discussed include the incidental sightings of this species, its behavioural observations, and photo-identification. Also being discussed are the white-beaked dolphins called Lagenorhynchus albirostris, and annual pupping season of the common seal called Phoca vitulina

The range of IBIs documented for female <i>T</i>. <i>truncatus</i> in the outer southern Moray Firth study area, relative to previous calving success and possible gaps in reproductive histories.

<p>The range of IBIs documented for female <i>T</i>. <i>truncatus</i> in the outer southern Moray Firth study area, relative to previous calving success and possible gaps in reproductive histories.</p

Map of northeast Scotland showing the position of the survey area along the southern coastline of the outer Moray Firth, to the east of the Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

<p>Dedicated boat surveys for bottlenose dolphins were conducted between May and October 1997 to 2016 using selected routes within the core study area, between the coastal ports of Lossiemouth and Fraserburgh.</p

The reproductive parameters of female bottlenose dolphins estimated from long-term mark-recapture studies in the southern outer Moray Firth from 1997 to 2016 inclusive.

<p>Weaning age for survival was considered to be to two years of age, after which calves were regarded to be fully independent of their mothers. See text for information on how RS, calving rate and fecundity were calculated.</p

Female reproductive success and calf survival in a North Sea coastal bottlenose dolphin (<i>Tursiops truncatus</i>) population - Fig 2

<p>Photographs of female bottlenose dolphins from the Moray Firth with first-year calves: (A) one of the highly successful mothers (ID#065) with a new-born calf; (B) and (C) cooperative female groups with calves of similar ages in tow.</p