First independent feeding of harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) and hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) pups in the Greenland Sea

Published 2000

Read in Norwegian

Publication details

Journal : NAMMCO scientific publications , vol. 2 , p. 29–39 , 2000

International Standard Numbers :
Printed : 1560-2206
Electronic : 2309-2491

Publication type : Academic article

Contributors : Haug, Tore; Nilssen, Kjell Tormod; Lindblom, Monika Charlotta

Links :
FULLTEKST : http://septentrio.uit.no/index...
DOI : doi.org/10.7557/3.2969

If you have questions about the publication, you may contact Nofima’s Chief Librarian.

Kjetil Aune
Chief Librarian
kjetil.aune@nofima.no

Summary

Data were collected from harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) and hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) pups belonging to the Greenland Sea (or "West Ice") stocks in 1995-1997. Pups of both species were observed to feed independently shortly after weaning, and their first food was almost exclusively crustaceans. Parathemisto sp., particularly P. libellula, dominated the diet of both the harp and the hooded seal pups, but the diet also contained sympagic amphipods of the genus Gammarus. Krill (Thysanoessa sp.) was of minor importance as food for seal pups in 1995, but occurred more frequently in the diet of both species in 1996 and 1997. Considerable niche overlap may suggest some interspecific competition between harp and hooded seal pups in the West Ice.