Dear colleagues,

My co-authors and I are pleased to share our new publication, a Short Communication in the African Journal of Ecology:

Terrapon, M., Venables, S., Lokker, A., Bertrand, N., Hooker, S. and Marshall, A. (2024), Killer Whale Predation on a Giant Manta Ray (Mobula birostris), a Sicklefin Devil Ray (Mobula tarapacana) and a Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) in the Southwest Indian Ocean. Afr J Ecol, 62: e13342. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13342

Abstract:

Knowledge of killer whale (Orcinus orca) feeding ecology in tropical waters is scarce. In the southwest Indian Ocean, opportunistic sightings provide a valuable source of information to better understand their behaviour, diet and distribution. Here, we compile existing records of killer whale predation on elasmobranchs in the southwest Indian Ocean, including sightings of three undescribed prey species regionally: a giant manta ray (Mobula birostris), a sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana) and a tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier). Documenting such observations is important to increase knowledge on killer whale ecology in the tropics and the cascading impact they might have on prey populations.

You can download this Open Access paper here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/aje.13342

Do not hesitate to reach out at maeva.terrapon@gmail.com if you would like to discuss this work.

Many thanks,

Maeva Terrapon

PhD Candidate

SMRU, University of St Andrews