Stomach contents of two Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus) from the Aegean Sea, Turkey
Articles > Article · 2001
Authors: Mehmet Alp SALMAN, Murat Bilecenoglu, Harun Güçlüsoy
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, International, WoS, 2001, vol 81, pp 719-720
DOI: 10.1017/s0025315401004519
Summary
This study provides a description of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) diet from the Aegean Sea coast of Turkey. A total of 23 prey items belonging to five species were identified from the two stomachs examined. Cephalopods constitute the dominant prey group by weight (94·01%). Sarcotragus sp. (Porifera) and Posidonia oceanica (Magnoliophyta) are assumed to be incidental prey. Of the cephalopods identified, Eledone moschata and Bathypolypus sponsalis were encountered for the first time in a monk seal stomach.