A note on stomach contents of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in Icelandic waters

There is limited available information on food habits of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in coastal Iceland. Sixty-eight minke whales were examined for stomach contents; 51.5% contained fish only, 22.1 % krill (Euphausiacea) only, 25.0% fish and krill together, and one animal (l.5%) had no...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:NAMMCO Scientific Publications
Main Authors: Sigurjónsson, Jóhann, Galan, Anton, Víkingsson, Gísli A
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Septentrio Academic Publishing 2000
Subjects:
minke whales
Balaenoptera acutorostrata
diet
stomach contents
prey
Gadus morhua
Iceland
Meganyctiphanes norvegica
Thysanoessa raschii
Online Access:https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/NAMMCOSP/article/view/2973
https://doi.org/10.7557/3.2973
Description
Summary:There is limited available information on food habits of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in coastal Iceland. Sixty-eight minke whales were examined for stomach contents; 51.5% contained fish only, 22.1 % krill (Euphausiacea) only, 25.0% fish and krill together, and one animal (l.5%) had no food remains in the stomach. The fish species identified were capelin (Mallotus villosus), sandeel (Ammodytidae), cod (Gadus morhua) and herring (Clupea harengus). Two species of krill were identified; Thysanoessa raschii and Meganyctiphanes norvegica. Sandeel was the dominant prey species in the western and southwestern areas, while capelin and krill were more frequently found in animals sampled in North Iceland.

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