Dear all,
we are pleased to share our most recent publication on the prey of
killer whales in Iceland, available online at
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0207287
Prey of killer whales (/Orcinus orca/) in Iceland
Samarra FIP, Bassoi M, Béesau J, Elíasdóttir MÓ, Gunnarsson K, Mrusczok
M-T, Rasmussen M, Rempel JN, Thorvaldsson B and Víkingsson GA
PLoS ONE 13(12): e0207287
Abstract
Killer whales have a cosmopolitan distribution and as a species are
generalists, feeding on a variety of prey. However, local populations
tend to specialise on specific prey types. In Icelandic waters, killer
whales are generally associated with herring and, thus, have been
presumed to be herring specialists. However, recent studies suggest a
more complex foraging ecology, possibly including a mosaic of
strategies. With increased observational effort in recent years due to
research and whale-watching activities, there have been several reports
of interactions with different prey, including confirmed predation
events. In this study we aimed to summarise the range of potential prey
of killer whales observed in Icelandic waters. We report on 12
previously unpublished accounts and review 15 accounts published in the
scientific literature or local newspapers, making a total of 27 events
where killer whales were observed interacting with actual or potential
prey. Thirteen different species, including birds (n = 1), cephalopods
(n = 1), fish (n = 5) and marine mammals (n = 6), are reported, although
herring is by far the species that killer whales are most often observed
interacting with. This study provides the first summary of actual and
suspected killer whale prey in Icelandic waters, and contributes towards
our understanding of this population’s prey preferences. However,
describing the diet of individuals/groups was not possible and this
study points to a need for continued monitoring to understand the
intricacies of killer whale foraging behaviour in this area.
Best regards,
Filipa
--
Filipa Samarra
ResearchFellow
Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (Hafrannsóknastofnun)
Skúlagata 4
121 Reykjavík, Iceland
Tel: +354-5752082
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9909-0565
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Filipa_Samarra
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