Prey and seasonal abundance of killer whales at sub-Antarctic Marion Island

The diet of killer whales Orcinus orca was investigated from 48 predation events observed during sightings at sub-Antarctic Marion Island between 2006 and 2009. From these events, there were 10 cases where prey could be identified. Killer whales fed on fur seals Arctocephalus tropicalis, elephant se...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Reisinger, RR, de Bruyn, PJN, Tosh, CA, Oosthuizen, WC, Mufanadzo, NT, Bester, MN
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: NISC 2011
Subjects:
Antarctic
Southern Ocean
Antarc*
Elephant Seals
Killer Whale
Marion Island
Mirounga leonina
Orca
Orcinus orca
Killer whale
Online Access:http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajms/article/view/66770
Description
Summary:The diet of killer whales Orcinus orca was investigated from 48 predation events observed during sightings at sub-Antarctic Marion Island between 2006 and 2009. From these events, there were 10 cases where prey could be identified. Killer whales fed on fur seals Arctocephalus tropicalis, elephant seals Mirounga leonina and penguins. Constant effort (dedicated) observations (259 hours, 2008–2009) showed that the peak in killer whale abundance was between September and December with a secondary peak between April and May, which coincided with peaks in the abundance of seals and penguins.Keywords: Orcinus orca, seals, diet, foraging, Southern Ocean, seasonal occurrenceAfrican Journal of Marine Science 2011, 33(1): 99–105

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