Diving deeper into individual foraging specializations of a large marine predator, the southern sea lion

Oecologia
A M M BaylisI J Staniland

Abstract

Despite global declines in the abundance of marine predators, knowledge of foraging ecology, necessary to predict the ecological consequences of large changes in marine predator abundance, remains enigmatic for many species. Given that populations suffering severe declines are of conservation concern, we examined the foraging ecology of southern sea lions (SSL) (Otaria flavescens)-one of the least studied otariids (fur seal and sea lions)-which have declined by over 90% at the Falkland Islands since the 1930s. Using a combination of biologging devices and stable isotope analysis of vibrissae, we redress major gaps in the knowledge of SSL ecology and quantify patterns of individual specialization. Specifically, we revealed two discrete foraging strategies, these being inshore (coastal) and offshore (outer Patagonian Shelf). The majority of adult female SSL (72% or n = 21 of 29 SSL) foraged offshore. Adult female SSL that foraged offshore travelled further (92 ± 20 vs. 10 ± 4 km) and dived deeper (75 ± 23 vs. 21 ± 8 m) when compared to those that foraged inshore. Stable isotope analysis revealed long-term fidelity (years) to these discrete foraging habitats. In addition, we found further specialization within the offshore group, ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 13, 2019·Scientific Reports·Alastair M M BaylisPaul Brickle
Jun 17, 2020·Royal Society Open Science·Marlenne A Rodríguez-MalagónJohn P Y Arnould
Dec 29, 2017·Ecology·Travis IngramMárcio S Araújo
Jun 16, 2017·Ecology and Evolution·Alastair M M BaylisIain J Staniland
May 4, 2018·Ecology and Evolution·Elizabeth A McHuronDaniel P Costa

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