Diet composition and trophic levels of marine mammals

0,18
MB

15
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6605
ID University of British Columbia

1998
rok

Standardized diet compositions were derived for 97 species of marine mammals from published

accounts of stomach contents as well as from morphological, behavioural and other information.

Diet was apportioned among eight categories of prey types (benthic invertebrates, large

zooplankton, small squids, large squids, small pelagic fishes, mesopelagic fishes, miscellaneous

fishes and higher invertebrates). Trophic levels were estimated for each species of marine

mammals and compared with published estimates derived using stable isotope ratios. Trophic levels

ranged from 3.2–3.4 in baleen whales and sea otters, to 3.8–4.4 in most pinnipeds and odontocete

whales, to 4.5–4.6 in killer whales. Such information can be used for ecosystem modelling and

related studies.