Habitat use
Habitat use on World Data Ocean: a running collection of 2 stories we have gathered and hand-picked because they are worth your time. Every post here touches on habitat use in some way — the news, the analysis, the deep dives, and the occasional surprise find. A Global Hub for Ocean Intelligence 4 World Data Ocean is a centralized digital platform where researchers, scientists, and ocean enthusiasts converge to explore, analyze, and… New stories are added to this page as we find them, so check back if you want to keep up with what is happening around habitat use, or subscribe to the RSS feed to get them as soon as they are published. Browse the collection below, or head back to the homepage to see everything World Data Ocean is covering right now.
Multi-tissue δ13C and δ15N analysis reveals pre-stranding ecological patterns in a long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) mass stranding event
Marine mammal mass stranding events (MSEs) demand rigorous investigation into contributing factors. A recent Scottish MSE involving 55 long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) provided a unique opportunity to analyze pre-stranding feeding ecology via stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N) across liver, skin, and muscle tissues. Findings revealed consistent resource use patterns and minimal dietary shifts, suggesting no recent habitat changes preceded the event.
Spatial and temporal use of a tropical nursery habitat by juvenile blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus)
Juvenile blacktip sharks (*Carcharhinus limbatus*) critically rely on nearshore nursery habitats during early development, yet their habitat use remains poorly understood in regions like the Hawaiian Islands. A recent study utilizing acoustic telemetry tracked 29 juvenile blacktip sharks within Hilo Bay, Hawai’i, revealing its designation as the first confirmed nursery habitat in Hawaiian waters. Sharks exhibited year-round residency, with peak presence from March to August, and demonstrated a preference for deeper waters at night, potentially linked to foraging behavior.