Dear All,
we are pleased to announce
the publication of the following short note in Polar Biology:
Bombosch, A. & Solovyev,
B. 2017. “Weddell seal (Leptonychotes
weddellii) killing Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua)
at Neko Harbour, Antarctic Peninsula”. Polar Biology. Doi:10.1007/s00300-016-2070-3
Abstract:
Weddell seals (Leptonychotes
weddellii) typically prey on fish, cephalopods, and
invertebrates. While other seal species also include penguins as
part of their regular diet, such as leopard seals, this behavior
seems unusual for Weddell seals. Here, we describe an opportunistic
observation of a Weddell seal attacking and killing a Gentoo Penguin
(Pygoscelis papua) at Neko
Harbour, Antarctic Peninsula. This behavior has rarely been observed
and published. Yet, we collected several additional anecdotal
observations from various regions around Antarctica, indicating that
this behavior might be more common than previously assumed,
challenging our current understanding of Weddell seal foraging
ecology.
The note is available online here:
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00300-016-2070-3
Kind Regards
Annette Bombosch
---------
Dr. Annette Bombosch
annette.bombosch@gmail.com