The cephalopod prey of the Weddell seal, Leptonychotes weddellii, a biological sampler of the Antarctic marine ecosystem
Résumé
Weddell seals, Leptonychotes weddellii, are
important apex predators in the food web of the Antarctic
marine ecosystem. However, detailed information on their
trophic relationships with cephalopods is scarce. Moreover,
cephalopods play a key role in the marine environment, but
knowledge of their feeding habits is limited by lack of data.
Here, we have combined the use of this seal as a biological
sampler together with measurements of the stable isotopic
signature of the beaks of their cephalopod prey. Thus, the
aims of the present study were: (1) to examine in detail the
cephalopod portion of the diet of Weddell seals by means
of scat analysis and (2) to assess the habitat use and trophic
level of the different cephalopod prey taxa identified. From
January to February 2009, a total of 48 faecal droppings
were collected at Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula. Cephalopods
were mainly represented by beaks (n = 83) which
were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level.
Furthermore, subsamples of beaks were separated for further
isotopic analysis. Relative abundance of stable isotopes
of carbon (d13C) and nitrogen (d15N) was determined by continuous-flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry.
Cephalopods were represented uniquely by octopods of the
subfamily Eledoninae. Pareledone turqueti was the dominant
prey species followed by the papillated Pareledone
species group and Adelieledone polymorpha. We conclude
that Weddell seals preyed primarily on benthic prey
resources. Furthermore, the relatively similar d13C and
d15N values in beaks of the three octopod prey taxa suggest
that these share the same type of habitat and occupy similar
trophic level positions.