title: Feeding rates and under-ice foraging strategies of the smallest lunge filter feeder, the Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis).
abstract: Body size and feeding mode are two fundamental characteristics that determine foraging performance and ecological niche. As the smallest obligate lunge filter feeders, minke whales represent an ideal system for studying the physical and energetic limits of filter feeding in endotherms. We used multi-sensor suction cup tags to quantify the feeding performance of Antarctic minke whales. Foraging dives around and beneath sea ice contained up to 24 lunges per dive, the highest feeding rates for any lunge-feeding whale. Their small size allows minke whales access to krill in sea-ice environments not easily accessible to larger baleen whales. Furthermore, their ability to filter feed provides an advantage over other smaller sympatric krill predators such as penguins and seals that feed on individual prey. The unique combination of body size, feeding mechanism and sea-ice habitat of Antarctic minke whales defines a previously undocumented energetic niche that is unique among aquatic vertebrates.
authors.affiliation: Marine Mammal Institute, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University, Newport, OR 97365, USA ari.friedlaender@oregonstate.edu.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Friedlaender
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Goldbogen
authors.affiliation: Division of Marine Science and Conservation, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Nowacek
authors.affiliation: Division of Marine Science and Conservation, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Read
authors.affiliation: Division of Marine Science and Conservation, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.affiliation: Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, TAS 7050, Australia.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gales
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000864:Antarctic Regions; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D049628:Body Size; D004242:Diving; D033201:Euphausiacea; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D020387:Food Chain; D007053:Ice; D050636:Minke Whale / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D007053:Ice
keywords: Feeding; Minke whales; Performance