Part A Why are Northeast Pacific populations of transient and resident killer whales thought to represent different ecotypes rather than different species? View Available Hint(s) Why are Northeast Pacific populations of transient and resident killer whales thought to represent different ecotypes rather than different species? Transient killer whales prey on marine mammals, while resident killer whales prey on Chinook salmon. Transient and resident killer whales learn specific methods of hunting from older whales in their pods. Transient and resident killer whales differ in feeding culture but can mate and produce viable offspring in captivity. Transient and resident killer whales have different patterns of communication.

Remember, the term "ecotypes" is used to refer specifically to the observable differences found in the various kinds of whales, which includes their breeding populations, their language of communication, social structure, the type of food they eat, and their hunting behavior.

Thus, in the case of transient and resident killer whales in the Northeast Pacific, they are thought to represent different ecotypes rather than different species the Transient killer whales prey (feed) on marine mammals, while resident killer whales prey on Chinook salmon. Also, whales are generally thought to belong to the same species.