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 We report on 12 previously unpublished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