Improving pinniped diet analyses through identification of multiple skeletal structures in fecal samples

Describes harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) diet on the lower Columbia River during spring, summer, and autumn from (1) otoliths and (2) other skeletal elements (cranial bones, vertebrae, teeth, gill rakers, etc). Examines potential differences in diet characterised by the two methods of analysis. Comments on the need for these data analyses in generating estimates of the size, total number, and annual biomass of a prey species eaten by pinnipeds for inclusion in fisheries management plans. Source: National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, licensed by the Department of Internal Affairs for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand Licence.