Stomach contents of autumn-feeding marine vertebrates from Hornsund, Svalbard

Polar Record ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 25 (153) ◽  
pp. 107-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Lydersen ◽  
Ian Gjertz ◽  
Jan Marcin Weslawski
Keyword(s):  
Prey Species ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Somateria Mollissima ◽  
Uria Lomvia ◽  
Rissa Tridactyla ◽  
Fulmarus Glacialis ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Fratercula Arctica ◽  
Cepphus Grylle ◽  
Myoxocephalus Scorpius

AbstractStomachs of 171 vertebrates (two species offish, eight of birds and twoof seals) from Hornsund, Svalbard, were collected between 7 September and 5 October 1984. Arctic cod Boreogadus saida and the amphipod Pamthemisto libellula were the main prey species of black guillemots Cepphus grylle, little auks Alle alle, puffins Fratercula arctica, Brunnich's guillemots Uria lomvia, kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla and ringed seals Phoca hispida. Fulmars Fulmarus glacialis preyed mainly on the squid Gonatusfabricii and the polychaete Nereis irrorata. Eiders Somateria mollissima preyed mainly on bivalves and on the amphipod Gammarellus homari. G. homari and Gammarus oceanicus were the most important prey species of striped snailfish Liparis liparis, while shorthorn sculpin Myoxocephalus scorpius mainly preyed upon G. homari and Anonyx sarsi. Glaucous gulls LOTUS hyperboreus took many different prey including birds and tundra plants. Only one bearded seal Erignathus barbatus stomach with content was available for this study.

scholarly journals Diversity and Keratin Degrading Ability of Fungi Isolated from Canadian Arctic Marine Bird Feathers

ARCTIC ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 347-359
Author(s):  
Brent M. Robicheau ◽  
Sarah J. Adams ◽  
Jennifer F. Provencher ◽  
Gregory J. Robertson ◽  
Mark L. Mallory ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Canadian Arctic ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Somateria Mollissima ◽  
Uria Lomvia ◽  
King Eider ◽  
Rissa Tridactyla ◽  
Cepphus Grylle ◽  
Black Guillemot ◽  
Low Arctic

We present the first records of fungi associated with feathers from seabirds and sea ducks in the Canadian Arctic and sub-Arctic. Birds sampled in Nunavut and Newfoundland (Canada) included the Common Eider (Somateria mollissima), King Eider (S. spectabilis), Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis), Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus), Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle), and Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia). In total 19 fungal species were cultured from feathers, identified using ITS rDNA barcoding, and screened for their ability to degrade keratin using a keratin azure assay. Our results indicate that 1) of the 19 isolates, 74% were ascomycetes, while the remaining 26% were basidiomycetes (yeasts); 2) 21% of the ascomycete isolates demonstrated keratinolytic activity (a known pathogenicity factor for fungi that may potentially be harmful to birds); 3) the largest number of fungi were cultured from the sampled Thick-billed Murre; and 4) based on a multiple correspondence analysis, there is some indication that both the King Eider and the Thick-billed Murre collected in the low Arctic had distinct fungal communities that were different from each other and from the other birds sampled. Although our sample sizes were small, initial trends in point (4) do demonstrate that additional study is merited to assess whether the fungal community differences are influenced by variation in the known ecologies of the avian hosts and fungi identified.

scholarly journals Prey consumed by Guiana dolphin Sotalia guianensis (Cetacea, Delphinidae) and franciscana dolphin Pontoporia blainvillei (Cetacea, Pontoporiidae) in an estuarine environment in southern Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta J. Cremer ◽  
Pedro C. Pinheiro ◽  
Paulo C. Simões-Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Prey Species ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Teleost Fishes ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Sympatric Populations ◽  
Sotalia Guianensis ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Pontoporia Blainvillei ◽  
Lolliguncula Brevis

The present study provides information about the diet of sympatric populations of small cetaceans in the Babitonga Bay estuary. This is the first study on the diet of these species in direct sympatry. The stomach contents of seven Guiana dolphins Sotalia guianensis and eight franciscanas Pontoporia blainvillei were analyzed. The prey of both cetaceans was mostly teleost fishes, followed by cephalopods. We identified 13 teleost fishes as part of the diet of the franciscanas, and 20 as part of the diet of Guiana dolphins. Lolliguncula brevis was the only cephalopod recorded, and was the most important prey for both cetaceans. Stellifer rastrifer and Gobionellus oceanicus were also important for franciscana, so as Mugil curema and Micropogonias furnieri were important for Guiana dolphins. Stellifer rastrifer and Cetengraulis edentulus were the fishes with the highest frequency of occurrence for franciscana (50%), while Achirus lineatus, C. edentulus, S. brasiliensis, Cynoscion leiarchus, M. furnieri, M. curema, Diapterus rhombeus, Eugerres brasilianus and G. oceanicus showed 28.6% of frequency of occurrence for Guiana dolphins. Franciscanas captured greater cephalopods than the Guiana dolphins in both total length (z= -3.38; n= 40; p< 0.05) and biomass (z = -2.46; n = 40; p<0.05). All of the prey species identified occur inside the estuary, which represents a safe habitat against predators and food availability, reinforcing the importance of the Babitonga Bay for these cetacean populations.

Review of Data on Diets of Beaked Whales: Evidence of Niche Separation and Geographic Segregation

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 651-665 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.D. MacLeod ◽  
M.B. Santos ◽  
G.J. Pierce
Keyword(s):  
Prey Species ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Niche Separation ◽  
Beaked Whale ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Dietary Niche ◽  
Beaked Whales ◽  
Fish Remains

This study reviewed published data on dietary preferences of beaked whales (Ziphiidae) from stomach contents analysis. Detailed data were only available for three of the six beaked whale genera (Hyperoodon, Mesoplodon and Ziphius). Stomach samples of these three beaked whale genera primarily contained cephalopod and fish remains, although some also contained crustaceans. Mesoplodon spp. were found to contain the most fish, with some species containing nothing but fish remains, while the southern bottlenose whale (Hyperoodon planifrons) and Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) rarely, if ever, contained fish. Of cephalopods identified, Histioteuthid, Gonatid, Cranchiid and Onychoteuthid species usually contributed most to prey numbers and biomass for all beaked whale genera. There was a wide range of species and families of cephalopods recorded from stomach contents, with no obvious preference for bioluminescent prey species, vertical migrating prey species or prey species with specific body compositions. Whales of the genus Mesoplodon generally contained smaller prey, such as cephalopods under 500 g in weight, compared with other beaked whales. Hyperoodon and Ziphius frequently contained much larger cephalopods with many important prey species having a mean weight of over 1000 g. This suggests that Mesoplodon occupies a separate dietary niche from Hyperoodon and Ziphius, which may be an example of niche segregation. In contrast, Hyperoodon and Ziphius appear to occupy very similar dietary niches but have geographically segregated distributions, with Hyperoodon occupying cold-temperate to polar waters and Ziphius occupying warm-temperate to tropical waters.

fish–macrofauna interactions in a kelp (laminaria hyperborea) forest

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
pp. 1279-1286 ◽  
Author(s):  
k.m. norderhaug ◽  
h. christie ◽  
j.h. fosså ◽  
s. fredriksen
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Diurnal Cycle ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Kelp Forest ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Laminaria Hyperborea ◽  
Lacuna Vincta ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Myoxocephalus Scorpius ◽  
Labrus Bergylta

predator–prey interactions between fish and macrofauna in kelp (laminaria hyperboea) forest were examined. fish were caught in gill-nets and fish traps at two sites and throughout the diurnal cycle. their stomach contents were analysed. the most abundant fish species, except pollachius virens, were caught in larger numbers at night than during daytime. the examined fish fed throughout the diurnal cycle and kelp-associated fauna were found to be important prey. pollachius virens was caught in the same numbers throughout the diurnal cycle and contained mainly pelagic prey, in larger numbers during the day than at night. small labrids were specialists, feeding mainly on the two numerically dominant kelp-associated gastropods rissoa parva and lacuna vincta. the larger labrus bergylta, gadus morhua and myoxocephalus scorpius were generalists, feeding on a large range of kelp-associated invertebrates. some fish species showed preference for particular vertical levels when feeding in the kelp forest. the most mobile and/or the largest invertebrates were most heavily preyed upon.

Helminth parasites of alcids in the northwestern North Atlantic

1971 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 461-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Threlfall
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Uria Lomvia ◽  
New Host ◽  
Alca Torda ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
Common Murre ◽  
Fratercula Arctica ◽  
Cepphus Grylle

One thousand and one alcids of six species (Alca torda, Uria aalge, Uria lomvia, Plautus alle, Cepphus grylle, Fratercula arctica) were collected in the northwestern North Atlantic, during the period June, 1966 – September, 1969, and examined for parasites. Helminths belonging to 12 genera were recovered, the common murre (U. aalge) containing the greatest number of species. Statistically significant annual variations (P < 005) in the parasite burden of this species were noted. No differences in intensity of infection in male and female birds and in chicks and adults were detected. Twelve new host records are noted.

scholarly journals Contrasting assemblages of seabirds in the subglacial meltwater plume and oceanic water of Bowdoin Fjord, northwestern Greenland

2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 711-720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bungo Nishizawa ◽  
Naoya Kanna ◽  
Yoshiyuki Abe ◽  
Yoshihiko Ohashi ◽  
Daiki Sakakibara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Water ◽  
Uria Lomvia ◽  
Little Auk ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Tidewater Glaciers ◽  
Rissa Tridactyla ◽  
Cepphus Grylle ◽  
Black Guillemot ◽  
Calanus Hyperboreus ◽  
Subglacial Meltwater

Abstract In Greenland, tidewater glaciers discharge turbid subglacial freshwater into fjords, forming plumes near the calving fronts, and these areas serve as an important foraging habitat for seabirds. To investigate the effect of subglacial discharge on the foraging assemblages of surface feeders and divers in a glacial fjord, we conducted boat-based seabird surveys, near-surface zooplankton samplings, and hydrographic measurements at Bowdoin Fjord, northwestern Greenland in July. Foraging surface feeders (black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla, glaucous gull Larus hyperboreus, and northern fulmar Fulmarus glacialis) aggregated within a plume-affected area in front of Bowdoin Glacier. This area was characterized by highly turbid subglacial meltwater and abundant large-sized zooplankton including Calanus hyperboreus, chaetognaths, and ctenophores near the surface. Surface feeders fed on these aggregated prey presumably transported to the surface by strong upwelling of subglacial meltwater. In contrast, divers (little auk Alle alle, thick-billed murre Uria lomvia, and black guillemot Cepphus grylle) foraged outside the fjord, where turbidity was low and jellyfish and Calanus copepods dominated under the influence of Atlantic water. Our study indicates spatial segregation between surface feeders and divers in a glacial fjord; surface feeders are not hindered by turbidity if taking prey at the surface, whereas divers need clear water.

The winter diet of thick-billed murres, Uria lomvia, in western Greenland, 1988–1989

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Knud Falk ◽  
Jan Durinck
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Uria Lomvia ◽  
Winter Diet ◽  
Southern Area ◽  
Good Body Condition ◽  
Capelin Mallotus Villosus ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
Prey Remains

The diet of thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia) wintering in coastal western Greenland was studied by analyzing the stomach contents of 202 birds supplied by local hunters in four regions, from October 1988 to March 1989. Fish and crustaceans were present in 68 and 71% (frequency of occurrence), respectively, of all stomachs containing prey remains (n = 195). Fish made up 81% wet weight, and crustaceans most of the remaining 19%, except for < 1% squid (Gonatus sp.) and polychaetes (Nereis sp.). Capelin (Mallotus villosus) was the dominant prey species (61% wet weight), followed by Thysanoessa spp. (17%), Parathemisto spp. (1%), and Meganyctiphanes norvegica (1%). Euphausiids were the most abundant crustaceans (95% wet weight of all crustaceans), except in October, when hyperid amphipods were dominant (89%). Crustaceans were important in the murres' diet only in the northern part of the survey area; birds in the southern part preyed almost exclusively upon capelin. Most birds were in good body condition (based on the amount of body fat), but murres from the southern area had a slightly higher mean fat index than those from the northern area (7.19 vs. 5.35). We suggest that differences in body condition may be related to the higher proportion of fish, which is of higher caloric value, in the diet of murres in the southern area.

Diet of common dolphins, Delphinus delphis, off the Portuguese continental coast

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 531-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Silva
Keyword(s):  
Prey Species ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Delphinus Delphis ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Size Groups ◽  
Distinct Features ◽  
Common Dolphins

Diet of common dolphins off the Portuguese coast was studied based on the examination of stomach contents of 50 stranded and incidentally caught animals. The relative importance of each prey species was assessed through occurrence, numerical and biomass indices. Common dolphins preyed on a large variety of items but four fish and two cephalopod species appeared to form the basis of their diet. Overall, sardine (Sardina pilchardus) was the most important prey, as given by all the indices used to measure prey relative importance. Although common dolphins preyed mostly on pelagic species, they seemed able to explore habitats with distinct features and employ various foraging strategies. A comparison between the diet of dolphins of different sex and size groups was not indicative of major differences. Common dolphins incidentally caught in fishing nets had taken a higher proportion of sardines, the target species of the fishery.

scholarly journals New Prey Fishes in Diet of Black Sea Bottlenose Dolphins, Tursiops truncatus (Mammalia, Cetacea)

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. V. Gladilina ◽  
P. E. Gol’din
Keyword(s):  
Black Sea ◽  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Horse Mackerel ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Common Bottlenose Dolphin

Abstract We report 7 new prey fishes in diet of the Black Sea bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821) and the first records of 9 prey items from their stomach contents: herring (Alosa sp.), sand smelt (Atherina sp.), horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus), picarel (Spicara flexuosa), Mediterranean sand eel (Gymnammodytes cicerellus), Atlantic stargazer (Uranoscopus scaber), garfish (Belone belone), gobies (Gobiidae indet.) and blennies (Blenniidae indet.). Th e Atlantic stargazer was recorded as a prey species for the common bottlenose dolphin for the first time. Th e horse mackerel and the picarel, formerly recorded in the diet of Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins, now were frequently found in the examined Black Sea dolphins. Th e list of prey fishes for Black Sea bottlenose dolphins now includes 23 items, with many small pelagic and demersal fishes, and it is similar to that of Mediterranean dolphins. Whiting (Merlangius merlangus) is still an important prey species, as 50-70 years ago, whereas turbot (Psetta maeotica), not recorded by us, could lose its importance due to population decline. As before, red mullet (Mullus barbatus) is recorded in winter feeding. Feeding on mullets (Mugilidae) is not a universal trait, and it is possibly restricted to local geographical areas.

scholarly journals Isotopic Investigations of Seabirds of the North Water Polynya: Contrasting Trophic Relationships Between the Eastern and Western Sectors

The Condor ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith A. Hobson ◽  
Grant Gilchrist ◽  
Knud Falk
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Level ◽  
Boreogadus Saida ◽  
Uria Lomvia ◽  
Alle Alle ◽  
Rissa Tridactyla ◽  
The North ◽  
North Water Polynya ◽  
Cepphus Grylle ◽  
North Water ◽  
Larus Hyperboreus

Abstract We used δ15N and δ13C analyses of blood, muscle, and liver tissues to evaluate similarity of diet among five seabird species: Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle), Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), Dovekie (Alle alle), Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus), and Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia) nesting at Coburg Island on the west and Hakluyt Island on the east side of the North Water Polynya between Ellesmere Island, Canada, and northwest Greenland. We hypothesized that dietary differences should occur because the two neighboring sites are subject to different oceanographic conditions, one result of which is differential timing of spring open water. Relative trophic level, derived from tissue δ15N values, ranged from 3.6 for Dovekie from Hakluyt Island to 4.7 for late-breeding-season diets of Thick-billed Murre adults from Coburg Island. At Coburg Island, trophic level of hatching year (HY) kittiwakes, murres, and Glaucous Gulls was higher than that for adults. This pattern was not found at Hakluyt Island, where chicks of all species generally occupied lower trophic positions. These findings suggest that lower-trophic-level prey were more important to Hakluyt Island seabirds, possibly due to lower availability of arctic cod (Boreogadus saida). Investigaciones Isotópicas de Aves Marinas en el Canal Aguas del Norte: Contrastando las Relaciones Tróficas entre los Sectores Este y Oeste Resumen. Usamos análisis de δ15N y δ13C en tejidos sanguineos, musculares y hepáticos para evaluar la similitud en la dieta entre cinco especies de aves marinas (Cepphus grylle, Rissa tridactyla, Alle alle, Larus hyperboreus y Uria lomvia). Estas especies anidan en la Isla Coburg en el lado oeste y en la Isla Hakluyt en el lado este del Canal de las Aguas del Norte, que se presenta libre de hielos y está situado entre la Isla Ellesmere en Canadá y el noroeste de Groenlandia. Hipotetizamos que las diferencias en la dieta se deberían a que los dos sitios vecinos están sujetos a diferentes condiciones oceanográficas, resultando en un ajuste temporal diferencial en la apertura de las aguas en primavera. El nivel trófico relativo, derivado de los valores de δ15N en los tejidos, fluctuó entre 3.6 para A. alle de la Isla Hakluyt hasta 4.7 para la dieta del final de la época reproductiva de adultos de U. lomvia de la Isla Coburg. En la Isla Coburg, el nivel trófico de individuos de R. tridactyla, U. lomvia y L. hyperboreus que eclosionaron ese año fue mayor que el nivel de los adultos. No encontramos este patrón en la Isla Hakluyt, donde los pichones de todas las especies generalmente ocuparon posiciones tróficas inferiores. Estos resultados sugieren que las presas de niveles tróficos inferiores fueron más importantes para las aves marinas de la Isla Hakluyt, posiblemente debido a una menor disponibilidad de bacalao del Ártico (Boreogadus saida).

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