lecture 4

Question 1

what are the two methods that whales use to capture prey?

Answer 1

pursuit or engulf

Question 2

what is something similar between whale and Ungulates stomachs

Answer 2

they are similar in that they have multiple chambers

Question 3

why is ecology difficult to study in marine enviroments

Answer 3

• most of the ecological action occurs out of sight
• boundaries are not well defined, making habitat, communities and trophic structure vague
• our knowledge is small

Question 4

what are four abiotic factors that impact whale ecology

Answer 4

• coastal currents, and tides
• seasonal upwelling
• limited available nitrogen
• sunlight

Question 5

what are three biological influences that impact whale ecology

Answer 5

• spring phytoplankton bloom
• the quickness of
• in nearshore environments

Question 6

what does Dial Vertical Migrator mean? and what animal does it?

Answer 6

refers to the daily migrator patterns in zooplankton along the z-axis under water. This is due to temperature/pressure differences that occur do to the sun.

Question 7

Define Macronutrients

Answer 7

It is largely the nutrients that occurs in largest quantities, Carbohydrates, fat, and proteins.

Question 8

Define micronutrients

Answer 8

This is the nutrients that occurs in smaller qualities but is essential for life. Vitamins and minerals.

Question 9

what do baleen whales prey on?

Answer 9

mostly zooplankton to medium sized fish( >30cm)

Question 10

what do toothed whales prey on?

Answer 10

large variety of things, and it depends on season and foraging group size. mostly medium to large fish, some Pinnepeds, and shrimps.

Question 11

why do whales rarely get predated?

Answer 11

whales are big, and swim in groups, which make them a difficult prey

Question 12

does whale predation occur?

Answer 12

Yes, but rarely, often the only whales that get eaten are juveniles that have left the group. Usually predators are other whales.

Question 13

what do killer whale hunt for when they are in groups?

Answer 13

smaller prey that are in swarms

Question 14

what do killer whales hunt for when they are by themselves

Answer 14

larger prey that involves pursuit

Question 15

what is the difference between a bottom-up and top-down, Trophodynamics

Answer 15

Top down is controlled by predators
Bottom up is controlled by primary producers

Question 16

Describe a top-down Trophodynamic.

Answer 16

Population of a given species decreases as the they move down the trophic level pyramid. Ex, few predators, more consumers, and more producers.

Question 17

Describe bottom-up Trophodynamics.

Answer 17

This occurs when predators skip trophic levels. like in whales