Food habits of the Peale's dolphin, Lagenorhynchus australis; Review and new information
Schiavini, A.C.M.; Goodall, R.N.P.; Lescrauwaet, A.-K.; Alonso, M.K. (1997). Food habits of the Peale's dolphin, Lagenorhynchus australis; Review and new information. Rep. Int. Whal. Commn. 47(SC/48/SM47): 827-834
In: Report of the International Whaling Commission. International Whaling Commission: Cambridge. ISSN 0143-8700, more
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| Keywords |
Behaviour > Habits > Feeding behaviour > Behaviour > Feeding habits
Lagenorhynchus australis (Peale, 1849) [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Schiavini, A.C.M.
- Goodall, R.N.P.
- Lescrauwaet, A.-K., more
- Alonso, M.K.
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| Abstract |
Peale's dolphin, Lagenorhynchus australis, is a common but little known species from southern South America. A review of the literature produced several observations of feeding behaviour, but only four reports on the examination of stomach contents of this species; all four were from the east coast of the continent in the southern South Atlantic. The seven animals sampled had fed on Argentine shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri), small octopus, three species of squid (Loligo gahi; Illex argentinus), kingklip fish (Genypterus blacodes), Argentine hake (Merluccius hubbsi) and southern cod (Salilota australis). These species are common in the waters of the Patagonian shelf. We report on further observations on dolphin feeding during regular shore-based studies along the central Strait of Magellan and on nine specimens from Tiera del Fuego, seven from the northeastern Atlantic coast and two young animals from the northeastern coast of the Beagle Channel. All nine animals probably died incidentally in shore-based nets set for Patagonian blenny (Eleginops maclovinus). We found at least 15 taxa represented in the stomach contents: eight species of fish, three of cephalopods, one bivalve mollusc, two crustaceans and one species of salp. The salps had been taken by the youngest dolphins, which also had milk in their stomachs. The most important prey species were bottom fish: hagfish (Myxine australis), southern cod (Salilota australis) and Patagonian grenadier (Macruronus magellanicus), followed by the red octopus (Enteroctopus megalocyathus) and Patagonian squid (L. gahi). The remaining species, among others Sprattus fuegensis and Illex argentinus, were marginal or perhaps items ingested by the other actual prey species. The feeding ecology of Peale's dolphin off northeastern Tierra del Fuego seems to be associated with demersal and bottom species captured in or near kelp beds. |
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