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Prey of the Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) in the Tsitsikama Coastal National Park, South Africa
Author(s) -
Van Der Zee D.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1981.tb04595.x
Subject(s) - predation , biology , cape , otter , fishery , ecology , geography , archaeology
Food of Cape clawless otters was estimated by means of faeces (spraint) analysis, using frequency of occurrence, as well as analysis by weight. The two methods were combined to yield a more accurate estimate of numbers and weight of prey taken. Availability of prey was estimated from sampling in two areas in the marine inter and subtidal zones. Estimates of consumption were combined with estimates of availability to yield an index of selection. Two species of crabs, octopus and suckerfish together made up about 81% of the numbers (86% of the weight) of prey taken, while the other 19% consisted of at least 30 other species. The relative merits and problems of frequency and weight analysis of faeces, as related to this species, are discussed. It was concluded that otters are opportunistic feeders with a good ability to capitalize on available prey, but along the Tsitsikama coast this was also due to the fact that no change in hunting method (used inland) was necessary.