Dietary analysis of regurgitates and stomach samples from free-living Australian sea lions

Rebecca R. McIntosh*, Brad Page, Simon D. Goldsworthy

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Dietary remains recovered from Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) digestive tracts and regurgitate samples from Seal Bay (Kangaroo Island, South Australia) were used to identify prey species consumed. Four of eight digestive tracts collected (50%) contained prey items located only in the stomach. On the basis of biomass reconstruction of cephalopod prey remains, octopus contributed 40% of the biomass in the samples, giant cuttlefish (Sepia apama) contributed 30% and ommastrephid squids contributed 14% biomass. The remains of several fish species were found in the samples: leatherjacket (Monocanthidae), flathead (Platycephalus sp.), swallowtail (Centroberyx lineatus), common bullseye (Pempheris multiradiata), southern school whiting (Sillago flindersi) and yellowtail mackerel (Trachurus novaezelandiae). Southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) and swimming crab (Ovalipes australiensis) carapace fragments, little penguin (Eudyptula minor) feathers and bones and shark egg cases (oviparous species and Scyliorhinidae sp.) were also identified.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)661-669
Number of pages9
JournalWildlife Research
Volume33
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes

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