Dr. Jonathan Whitney (@FishWhit) header
Dr. Jonathan Whitney (@FishWhit) profile picture

Dr. Jonathan Whitney

@FishWhit

Marine Ecologist | Larval Fish Ecology | Oceanography | Genetics | Coral Reef and Pelagic Ecosystems Research @NOAAFish_PIFSC Tweets are my own.

 Honolulu, Hawaii
instagram.com/jonathanlwhitney/
Joined October 2019
  • Tweets99
  • Following152
  • Followers352
Humpback anglerfish (Melanocetus johnsonii) offshore of Hawaii. Adult females (~5”) can be 10x bigger than males and live as deep as 4000m! Bioluminescent lure, huge mouth and squishy skin allow them to swallow prey bigger than they are. #PelagicPortraits @NOAAFish_PIFSC
Image from Dr. Jonathan Whitney (@FishWhit)
1
2
9
287
Here is the nisto stage of a ula pāpapa, Regal Slipper Lobster (Arctides regalis). First in new series #PelagicPortraits showcasing creatures of midwater habitats around Hawaii, from our recent @NOAAFish_PIFSC expedition investigating pelagic ecosystems on @NOAA ship Oscar Sette
Image from Dr. Jonathan Whitney (@FishWhit)
3
4
243
Replying to @FishWhit @SpringerNature @BMC_series @RR_Coleman @NOAAFish_PIFSC
Small population size and low reproductive rates (1 pup every 1-7 years) make these and other island populations extremely vulnerable to human impact. Reef mantas face several threats including fishing line entanglement, boat strikes, and habitat loss. They need our protection.
Reef manta ray with a missing cephalic fin, amputated by a fishing line entanglement in waters off Maui, Hawai’i. Credit: Hawaiʻi Association for Marine Education and Research/Mark Deakos

ALT Reef manta ray with a missing cephalic fin, amputated by a fishing line entanglement in waters off Maui, Hawai’i. Credit: Hawaiʻi Association for Marine Education and Research/Mark Deakos

108
Replying to @FishWhit @SpringerNature @BMC_series @RR_Coleman @NOAAFish_PIFSC
Reef manta rays rely on healthy coral reefs. They visit reefs to get cleaned and meet up with other mantas. Coastal development can degrade coral reefs and embayments which are critical habitat for manta cleaning, socializing, breeding, and pupping.
A reef manta ray visits a cleaning station on the Olowalu reef off Maui, Hawai’i, to get parasites removed. Credit: Hawaiʻi Association for Marine Education and Research/Mark Deakos.

ALT A reef manta ray visits a cleaning station on the Olowalu reef off Maui, Hawai’i, to get parasites removed. Credit: Hawaiʻi Association for Marine Education and Research/Mark Deakos.

84
Replying to @FishWhit @SpringerNature @BMC_series @RR_Coleman @NOAAFish_PIFSC
We estimated the number of adult breeders (effective pop size) in each island at only ~104 on Hawaiʻi Island and ~129 throughout Maui Nui. With so few breeders, the loss of a single individual could have detrimental consequences to the resilience of #Hawaii #ReefMantaRays.
A large adult female leading three adult males in a mating train at sunset over a reef in West Maui, Hawaiʻi. Credit: Hawaiʻi Association for Marine Education and Research/Mark Deakos

ALT A large adult female leading three adult males in a mating train at sunset over a reef in West Maui, Hawaiʻi. Credit: Hawaiʻi Association for Marine Education and Research/Mark Deakos

82
Replying to @FishWhit @SpringerNature @BMC_series @RR_Coleman @NOAAFish_PIFSC
We provide the first genetic evidence that female #ReefMantaRays are strongly philopatric, and only reproduce on the island where they were born. Migration rates are equivalent to one female moving between island groups every 1,300 years and one male only about every 64 years.
Photo of reef manta ray in Maui, Hawaii.

ALT Photo of reef manta ray in Maui, Hawaii.

69
Replying to @FishWhit @SpringerNature @BMC_series @RR_Coleman @NOAAFish_PIFSC
We show that Hawaii Island and Maui Nui are made up of only a few hundred rays each and should be considered separate. Small and isolated animal populations are vulnerable to disease and extinction. Islands may need targeted management strategies to ensure long-term stability.
Map of collection sites in the Hawaiian Islands with inset highlighting position in the Pacific Ocean Basin and location within the Hawaiian Archipelago. Bathymetry shows contour lines at 500 m intervals. Red circles note tissue sample collection locations at aggregation sites on Maui Island and Hawaiʻi Island. Maui, Molokai, Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe make up the 4-island complex of Maui Nui. Map credit: Joey Lecky.

ALT Map of collection sites in the Hawaiian Islands with inset highlighting position in the Pacific Ocean Basin and location within the Hawaiian Archipelago. Bathymetry shows contour lines at 500 m intervals. Red circles note tissue sample collection locations at aggregation sites on Maui Island and Hawaiʻi Island. Maui, Molokai, Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe make up the 4-island complex of Maui Nui. Map credit: Joey Lecky.

1
72
Our new genetic study shows that #ReefMantaRays in #Hawaii live in isolated, island-specific, and genetically distinct populations. Read the paper here rdcu.be/dgoqO published with @SpringerNature in @BMC_series Ecology & Evolution with @RR_Coleman @MarkDeakos #MantaRay
Image from Dr. Jonathan Whitney (@FishWhit)
6
1
2
13
1,362
Happy #UNWorldOceansDay! I’m celebrating by sharing stories of the amazing lives of baby fishes in the 'Oceanic Discoveries' segment (10:35am EDT) along with @Brian_Skerry, Mattie Rodrigue @oceanx, @DrAustinG, Nicole Yamase, and @natkelley. Livestream at UNWorldOceansDay.org
Image from Dr. Jonathan Whitney (@FishWhit)
2
9
Join me and the @UN @OceanicGlobal on Tuesday 10-5 EDT in celebrating #WorldOceansDay! This year’s event will highlight the importance of the ocean for sustaining life and livelihoods. unworldoceansday.org/2021
1
1
4
Load more