@article{fdi:010092675,
  title = {{K}rill swarm biomass, energetic density, and species composition drive humpback whale distribution in the {N}orthern {C}alifornia {C}urrent},
  author = {{K}aplan, {R}. {L}. and {B}ernard, {K}. {S}. and {D}erville, {S}ol{\`e}ne and {F}isher, {J}. {L}. and {P}hillips, {E}. {M}. and {D}aly, {E}. {A}. and {W}arren, {J}. {D}. and {T}orres, {L}. {G}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{P}rey abundance and quality are dynamic in time and space, impacting predator ecology. {W}e examine variation in species-specific krill quantity and quality as prey for humpback whales in the {N}orthern {C}alifornia {C}urrent region, using generalized additive models to assess metrics including biomass and energy density derived from an integrated dataset of concurrent active acoustics, net tows, and marine mammal observations (2018-2022). {O}verall, prey metrics were positively correlated with humpback whale presence, with increasing trends modified by seasonal (early versus late foraging season) and spatial (continental shelf versus offshore) variation (model deviance explained 36.3%-40.8%). {B}iomass and energy density had strong positive effects on humpback whale presence, suggesting whales target high-quality swarms that offer more energy per lunge. {E}levated {T}hysanoessa spinifera abundance near humpback whales suggests that they target this species, particularly in the late season when they are energetically richer than {E}uphausia pacifica, the region's other abundant krill species. {E}nvironmental change may decrease krill abundance and quality, impacting humpback whales' ability to meet energetic requirements and potentially driving changes in their distributions and exposure to anthropogenic threats. {C}larifying drivers of humpback whale krill patch selection can improve species distribution models and aid managers in mitigating risk to whales.},
  keywords = {active acoustics ; krill ; prey quality ; spatial ecology ; {N}orthern {C}alifornia {C}urrent ; humpback whales ; {PACIFIQUE} ; {ETATS} {UNIS} ; {CALIFORNIE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{ICES} {J}ournal of {M}arine {S}cience},
  volume = {82},
  numero = {1},
  pages = {fsaf005 [12 p.]},
  ISSN = {1054-3139},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1093/icesjms/fsaf005},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010092675},
}