Ziphius cavirostris presence relative to the vertical and temporal variability of oceanographic conditions in the Southern California Bight

Abstract The oceanographic conditions of the Southern California Bight (SCB) dictate the distribution and abundance of prey resources and therefore the presence of mobile predators, such as goose‐beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris). Goose‐beaked whales are deep‐diving odontocetes that spend a majori...

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Main Authors: Clara M. Schoenbeck, Alba Solsona‐Berga, Peter J. S. Franks, Kaitlin E. Frasier, Jennifer S. Trickey, Catalina Aguilar, Isaac D. Schroeder, Ana Širović, Steven J. Bograd, Ganesh Gopalakrishnan, Simone Baumann‐Pickering
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-07-01
Series:Ecology and Evolution
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11708
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author Clara M. Schoenbeck
Alba Solsona‐Berga
Peter J. S. Franks
Kaitlin E. Frasier
Jennifer S. Trickey
Catalina Aguilar
Isaac D. Schroeder
Ana Širović
Steven J. Bograd
Ganesh Gopalakrishnan
Simone Baumann‐Pickering
author_facet Clara M. Schoenbeck
Alba Solsona‐Berga
Peter J. S. Franks
Kaitlin E. Frasier
Jennifer S. Trickey
Catalina Aguilar
Isaac D. Schroeder
Ana Širović
Steven J. Bograd
Ganesh Gopalakrishnan
Simone Baumann‐Pickering
author_sort Clara M. Schoenbeck
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The oceanographic conditions of the Southern California Bight (SCB) dictate the distribution and abundance of prey resources and therefore the presence of mobile predators, such as goose‐beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris). Goose‐beaked whales are deep‐diving odontocetes that spend a majority of their time foraging at depth. Due to their cryptic behavior, little is known about how they respond to seasonal and interannual changes in their environment. This study utilizes passive acoustic data recorded from two sites within the SCB to explore the oceanographic conditions that goose‐beaked whales appear to favor. Utilizing optimum multiparameter analysis, modeled temperature and salinity data are used to identify and quantify these source waters: Pacific Subarctic Upper Water (PSUW), Pacific Equatorial Water (PEW), and Eastern North Pacific Central Water (ENPCW). The interannual and seasonal variability in goose‐beaked whale presence was related to the variability in El Niño Southern Oscillation events and the fraction and vertical distribution of the three source waters. Goose‐beaked whale acoustic presence was highest during the winter and spring and decreased during the late summer and early fall. These seasonal increases occurred at times of increased fractions of PEW in the California Undercurrent and decreased fractions of ENPCW in surface waters. Interannual increases in goose‐beaked whale presence occurred during El Niño events. These results establish a baseline understanding of the oceanographic characteristics that correlate with goose‐beaked whale presence in the SCB. Furthering our knowledge of this elusive species is key to understanding how anthropogenic activities impact goose‐beaked whales.
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spelling doaj-art-40353b0feae443eebe28cd87cd2cd52d2025-08-20T02:50:48ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582024-07-01147n/an/a10.1002/ece3.11708Ziphius cavirostris presence relative to the vertical and temporal variability of oceanographic conditions in the Southern California BightClara M. Schoenbeck0Alba Solsona‐Berga1Peter J. S. Franks2Kaitlin E. Frasier3Jennifer S. Trickey4Catalina Aguilar5Isaac D. Schroeder6Ana Širović7Steven J. Bograd8Ganesh Gopalakrishnan9Simone Baumann‐Pickering10Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of California San Diego, La Jolla California USAScripps Institution of Oceanography University of California San Diego, La Jolla California USAScripps Institution of Oceanography University of California San Diego, La Jolla California USAScripps Institution of Oceanography University of California San Diego, La Jolla California USANational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Honolulu Hawaii USAScripps Institution of Oceanography University of California San Diego, La Jolla California USAInstitute of Marine Sciences University of California Santa Cruz California USADepartment of Biology Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim NorwayDepartment of Biology Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim NorwayScripps Institution of Oceanography University of California San Diego, La Jolla California USAScripps Institution of Oceanography University of California San Diego, La Jolla California USAAbstract The oceanographic conditions of the Southern California Bight (SCB) dictate the distribution and abundance of prey resources and therefore the presence of mobile predators, such as goose‐beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris). Goose‐beaked whales are deep‐diving odontocetes that spend a majority of their time foraging at depth. Due to their cryptic behavior, little is known about how they respond to seasonal and interannual changes in their environment. This study utilizes passive acoustic data recorded from two sites within the SCB to explore the oceanographic conditions that goose‐beaked whales appear to favor. Utilizing optimum multiparameter analysis, modeled temperature and salinity data are used to identify and quantify these source waters: Pacific Subarctic Upper Water (PSUW), Pacific Equatorial Water (PEW), and Eastern North Pacific Central Water (ENPCW). The interannual and seasonal variability in goose‐beaked whale presence was related to the variability in El Niño Southern Oscillation events and the fraction and vertical distribution of the three source waters. Goose‐beaked whale acoustic presence was highest during the winter and spring and decreased during the late summer and early fall. These seasonal increases occurred at times of increased fractions of PEW in the California Undercurrent and decreased fractions of ENPCW in surface waters. Interannual increases in goose‐beaked whale presence occurred during El Niño events. These results establish a baseline understanding of the oceanographic characteristics that correlate with goose‐beaked whale presence in the SCB. Furthering our knowledge of this elusive species is key to understanding how anthropogenic activities impact goose‐beaked whales.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11708Cuvier's beaked whalesecholocation clicksEl Niñohabitat modeloptimum multiparameter analysispassive acoustic monitoring
spellingShingle Clara M. Schoenbeck
Alba Solsona‐Berga
Peter J. S. Franks
Kaitlin E. Frasier
Jennifer S. Trickey
Catalina Aguilar
Isaac D. Schroeder
Ana Širović
Steven J. Bograd
Ganesh Gopalakrishnan
Simone Baumann‐Pickering
Ziphius cavirostris presence relative to the vertical and temporal variability of oceanographic conditions in the Southern California Bight
Ecology and Evolution
Cuvier's beaked whales
echolocation clicks
El Niño
habitat model
optimum multiparameter analysis
passive acoustic monitoring
title Ziphius cavirostris presence relative to the vertical and temporal variability of oceanographic conditions in the Southern California Bight
title_full Ziphius cavirostris presence relative to the vertical and temporal variability of oceanographic conditions in the Southern California Bight
title_fullStr Ziphius cavirostris presence relative to the vertical and temporal variability of oceanographic conditions in the Southern California Bight
title_full_unstemmed Ziphius cavirostris presence relative to the vertical and temporal variability of oceanographic conditions in the Southern California Bight
title_short Ziphius cavirostris presence relative to the vertical and temporal variability of oceanographic conditions in the Southern California Bight
title_sort ziphius cavirostris presence relative to the vertical and temporal variability of oceanographic conditions in the southern california bight
topic Cuvier's beaked whales
echolocation clicks
El Niño
habitat model
optimum multiparameter analysis
passive acoustic monitoring
url https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11708
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