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Seasonally mediated niche partitioning in a vertically compressed pelagic predator guild
Ryan K Logan1, Jeremy J Vaudo1, Bradley M Wetherbee1,2
1Guy Harvey Research Institute, Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL, 33004, USA.
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|December 5, 2023
Summary
Three large marine predators in the eastern tropical Pacific partition resources through varied diving behaviors, minimizing competition. This niche partitioning is crucial for understanding ecosystem dynamics and predicting climate change impacts on marine predators.
Area of Science:
- Marine Ecology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Niche partitioning is key to understanding species coexistence and ecosystem function.
- Studying resource partitioning in large, mobile marine predators is challenging due to data limitations.
- Three large pelagic predators (blue marlin, black marlin, sailfish) coexist in the eastern tropical Pacific's vertically compressed habitat.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ecological niche partitioning mechanisms among blue marlin, black marlin, and sailfish in the eastern tropical Pacific.
- To assess how habitat use and trophic overlap vary among these closely related, sympatric species.
- To predict the consequences of expanding oxygen minimum zones on predator-prey interactions and competition.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a decade of recreational fisheries data.
- Employed multi-year satellite tracking with high-resolution dive data.
- Conducted stable isotope analysis to assess trophic relationships.
Main Results:
- High spatial and temporal overlap was observed among the three species based on fisheries data and telemetry.
- Diel and seasonal variations in diving behavior led to distinct vertical habitat partitioning.
- Despite spatial overlap, low trophic overlap was found, indicating resource partitioning.
Conclusions:
- Diving behavior is a critical mechanism for niche partitioning among these top marine predators.
- Expanding oxygen minimum zones are predicted to reduce vertical habitat, increasing interspecific competition.
- Understanding vertical habitat partitioning provides insights into predator responses to environmental change in other ocean regions.
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