Perspective: The future of the Southern Resident killer whales depends on interactions with other killer whale populations

Perspective: The future of the Southern Resident killer whales depends on interactions with other killer whale populations | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL Ecology and Evolution This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 3 November 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Perspective: The future of the Southern Resident killer whales depends on interactions with other killer whale populations Authors : Michael Ford 0000-0002-3517-1534 [email protected] , Eric Ward 0000-0002-4359-0296 , Marty Kardos 0000-0002-7587-3004 , Kim Parsons , Candice Emmons , and Brad Hanson Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176216051.17245268/v1 Published Ecology and Evolution Version of record Peer review timeline 311 views 212 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Ecological and genetic interactions among conspecific populations play an important role in population viability, but these interactions are not always fully considered in strategies to recovery endangered taxa. The Southern Resident Killer Whales are a high-profile population listed as endangered by both the U.S. and Canada. Risks to the population are well known, and include insufficient prey, inbreeding depression, disturbance, and environmental contaminants. Here, we argue that a fifth factor–interactions with other sympatric killer whale populations–plays an under-appreciated role in the population’s current and potential status. Based on studies conducted over the past two decades, we illustrate that consumption of shared prey, behavioral interactions in shared habitat, and shared DNA through potential interbreeding with other populations will strongly influence the future trajectory of the Southern Resident Killer Whales. Supplementary Material File (srkw perspective main text 11.2.25.docx) Download 3.28 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 03 November 2025 Peer review timeline Published Ecology and Evolution Version of Record 5 Mar 2026 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection Ecology and Evolution Keywords description ecosystem ecosystem ecology marine natural history vertebrate Authors Affiliations Michael Ford 0000-0002-3517-1534 [email protected] Northwest Fisheries Science Center Conservation Biology Division View all articles by this author Eric Ward 0000-0002-4359-0296 Northwest Fisheries Science Center Conservation Biology Division View all articles by this author Marty Kardos 0000-0002-7587-3004 Northwest Fisheries Science Center Conservation Biology Division View all articles by this author Kim Parsons Northwest Fisheries Science Center Conservation Biology Division View all articles by this author Candice Emmons NOAA Fisheries Northwest Fisheries Science Center View all articles by this author Brad Hanson NOAA Fisheries Northwest Fisheries Science Center View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 311 views 212 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Michael Ford, Eric Ward, Marty Kardos, et al. Perspective: The future of the Southern Resident killer whales depends on interactions with other killer whale populations. Authorea . 03 November 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176216051.17245268/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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