Feeding ecology of Antarctic fur seals at Cape Shirreff, South Shetlands, Antarctica

• Published in: Polar Biology
• Main Authors: Osman, L. P., Hucke-Gaete, R., Moreno, C. A., Torres, D.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer 2004
• Subjects: Antarctic; Cape Shirreff; Livingston Island; Shirreff; Antarc*; Antarctic Fur Seals; Antarctic Krill; Antarctica; Arctocephalus gazella; Euphausia superba; Polar Biology
• Online Access: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/53924/; https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/53924/1/4385.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-003-0555-3

This study examined the diet of Antarctic fur seals, Arctocephalus gazella, from an active breeding colony at Cape Shirreff (62°28′S, 60°48′W), Livingston Island, South Shetland Archipelago, Antarctica. It analysed faecal samples from five consecutive years (1997–2001) and length distribution of krill taken by trawl nets in the vicinity of Livingston Island. Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, was the most frequent prey item, followed by several myctophid species (Gymnoscopelus nicholsi, Electrona antarctica and Electrona carlsbergi), squid and penguin remains. From 1998 to 2001, a modal progression in krill size was evident, suggesting that A. gazella was depending on a strong krill cohort, at least over the study period. Analysis of size distribution and size selectivity of krill preyed upon by fur seals suggests a preference for larger krill (>34 mm), despite the broader size range of preys items available.