Killer whale acoustic patterns respond to prey abundance and environmental variability around the Prince Edward Islands, Southern Ocean

• DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230903
• Publication Date: 2024-01-03T08:05:46Z
• Authors: Fannie W. Shabangu; Robyn Daniels; Rowan K. Jordaan; P. J. Nico de Bruyn; Marcel A. van den...; Tarron Lamont
• Keywords: Diel vertical migration; Right whale

Killer whales are apex predators with temporally and spatially varying distributions throughout the world's oceans. Their ecology behaviour poorly understood in most regions due to limited research, often because of logistical challenges. Here, we used a passive acoustic monitoring device investigate seasonal occurrence diel vocalizing killer around remote sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands (PEIs), Southern Ocean. showed patterns that varied seasonally relation their prey abundance social activities. whale calls were intermittently detected year-round high number hours containing October December, secondary peak February May, corresponding seal abundance. Random forest modelling identified wind speed as primary predictor (with negative correlation) while sea surface height, chlorophyll-a temperature moderately important. We provide first evidence PEIs might coincide variability environmental conditions Our results indication pattern This knowledge is important for understanding adaptation changing