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DIGESTIBILITY OF CRUSTACEANS and CAPELIN IN HARP SEALS ( PHOCA GROENLANDICA )
Author(s) -
Mårtensson P.E.,
Nordøy E. S.,
Blix A. S.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
marine mammal science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.723
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1748-7692
pISSN - 0824-0469
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-7692.1994.tb00486.x
Subject(s) - capelin , phoca , crustacean , biology , harp , fishery , cetacea , marine mammal , zoology , fish <actinopterygii> , physics , quantum mechanics
A bstract Gross energy intake (GEI), apparent digestible efficiency (%DE), and body‐mass change were studied both in recently weaned and in subadult harp seals fed capelin ( Mallotus villosus ) and crustaceans ( Parathemisto libellula and Thysanoessa sp.) ad lib. The median %DE of Parathemisto libellula (with a wet‐weight energy density (ED) of 3.9 kJ/g) and Thysanoessa sp. (ED: 2.3 kJ/g) was 81% and 83%, respectively, while the median %DE of capelin (ED: 8.6 kJ/g) was 94% and 93% for subadult harp seals and one harp seal pup, respectively. No correlation between age and %DE was obtained (P > 0.05). Despite ad lib. access to the food, the harp seal pups were unable to maintain body mass while on a crustacean diet, and it is therefore suggested that harp seal pups most likely must supplement their crustacean diets with fish to maintain growth.