Diet of the blue petrel at sub-Antarctic Marion Island

• Published in: South African Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Steele, W.K., Klages, N.T.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Bureau for Scientific Publ. 1986
• Subjects: Antarctic; Antarc*; Marion Island
• Online Access: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/36634/; https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/36634/7/2142.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1080/02541858.1986.11447991

Food samples were collected from 49 blue petrels Halobaena caerulea at Marion Island in the sub-Antarctic region. These were analysed and the results compared with previously published data collected at other islands. Crustaceans formed the major prey by mass (59,5%) and frequency (100%), with Euphausia vallentini being of particular importance (56,6% by mass of Crustacea). Other prey included fish, cephalopods and two species of insects, a moth (Noctuidae) and an assassin bug Nabis. Voedselmonsters van 49 bloustormvofils Halobaena caerulea is by Marioneiland in the sub-Antarktiese gebied versamel. Die voedselmonsters is ontleed en die bevindings met reeds gepubliseerde data wat by ander eilande versamel is, vergelyk. Skulpdiere het die hoofprooi volgens massa (59,5%) en frekwensie (100%), gevorm en Euphausia vallentini was van besondere belang (56,6% van die massa van die skulpdiere). Ander prooi het vis, koppotiges en twee soorte insekte, 'n mot (Noctuidae) en 'n roofinsek van die genus Nabis, ingesluit.