| one publication added to basket [119013] | Insights into the diet of beaked whales from the atypical mass stranding in the Canary Islands in September 2002
Santos, M.B.A.; Martin, V.; Arbelo, M.; Fernández, A.; Pierce, G.J. (2007). Insights into the diet of beaked whales from the atypical mass stranding in the Canary Islands in September 2002. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 87(1): 243-251. https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315407054380
In: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press/Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom: Cambridge. ISSN 0025-3154; e-ISSN 1469-7769, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Santos, M.B.A.
- Martin, V.
- Arbelo, M.
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- Fernández, A.
- Pierce, G.J.
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| Abstract |
Stomach contents were analysed from three species of beaked whales which mass-stranded shortly after a naval exercise conducted in the Canary Islands in September 2002. Animals from such mass strandings often contain freshly ingested food in their stomachs and can provide a more reliable guide to feeding habits than other strandings. Food remains recovered from seven Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) consisted mainly of oceanic cephalopods, the most numerous being Taonius pavo, Histioteuthis sp., Mastigoteuthis schmidti and Octopoteuthis sicula. Many of the cephalopod species found in the diet appear to undertake daily vertical migrations, being found in shallower waters during the night and moving to deeper waters during the day. Single specimens of Blainville's beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) and Gervais' beaked whale (Mesoplodon europaeus) had eaten both fish and cephalopod prey. The most numerous prey remains belonged to gadid fish and viperfish (Chauliodus sp.) respectively. These results are consistent with the limited published data on diet in these species, with Mesoplodon species having a relatively higher proportion of fish in the diet whereas Ziphius specialises on cephalopods. ( |
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