Size, mass, and occurrence of gastroliths in juvenile Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus)

Size, mass, and occurrence of gastroliths in juvenile Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus)

Gastroliths, or stones found in the digestive tract of some pinnipeds, were gathered (n = 128) from temporarily captive juvenile Steller sea lions (n = 23, Eumetopias jubatus) at the Alaska SeaLife Center and characterized by their size and mass. Blubber depth and season were significant predictors...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

Gespeichert in:
Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:Journal of mammalogy 2016-03, Vol.97 (2), p.639-643
Hauptverfasser: Shuert, C. R., Mellish, J. E.
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
Schlagworte:
Aquatic mammals
buoyancy
digestion
Digestive system
Eumetopias jubatus
FEATURE ARTICLES
gastrolith
Marine mammals
Sea lions
Seasons
Steller sea lion
Online-Zugang:Volltext
Tags: Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:Gastroliths, or stones found in the digestive tract of some pinnipeds, were gathered (n = 128) from temporarily captive juvenile Steller sea lions (n = 23, Eumetopias jubatus) at the Alaska SeaLife Center and characterized by their size and mass. Blubber depth and season were significant predictors of gastrolith mass and also positively associated with larger animals. From this, we conclude that they are likely actively ingested for a functional use rather than incidental.
ISSN:0022-2372
1545-1542
DOI:10.1093/jmammal/gyv211