Food of Flesh-footed shearwaters Puffinus carneipes associated with high-seas driftnets in the central North Pacific Ocean

Emu
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Abstract

We examined digestive tract contents and stable nitrogen isotope ratios in breast muscles of Flesh-footed Shearwaters Puffinus carneipes associated with high-seas driftnet fisheries in the central North Pacific Ocean. Small fish, Lanternfish (Myctophidae) and Pacific Saury Cololabis saira, were the principal prey found in the digestive tracts. Pieces of unidentified fish, possibly Pacific Pomfret Brama japonica, and shredded squid tissue, mostly Neon Flying Squid Ommastrephes bartrami, in the digestive tracts indicate scavenging at driftnet fishing operations. Although soft-bodied animals such as Velella sp. were rare in the digestive tracts, low stable nitrogen isotope values (δ15N) suggest Flesh-footed Shearwaters feed heavily on such low trophic level animals.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Food of Flesh-footed shearwaters Puffinus carneipes associated with high-seas driftnets in the central North Pacific Ocean
Series title Emu
DOI 10.1071/MU97020
Volume 97
Issue 2
Year Published 1997
Language English
Publisher Taylor & Francis
Contributing office(s) Alaska Science Center
Description 6 p.
First page 168
Last page 173
Other Geospatial North Pacific Ocean
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