The stomach content of a Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus): finding of Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) remains. Issue 3 (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tonay, Arda M.; Danyer, Erdem; Dede, Ayhan; Öztürk, Bayram; Öztürk, Ayaka A.
• Is Part Of: Zoology in the Middle East. Volume 62:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 212
• Page End: 216
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: Mediterranean Monk Seal -- stomach content -- Green Turtle -- eastern Mediterranean; Zoology -- Middle East -- Periodicals; 591.95605
• DOI: 10.1080/09397140.2016.1202947
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0939-7140

Abstract

Abstract : The stomach contents of an adult Mediterranean Monk Seal ( Monachus monachus ) found stranded on the Turkish eastern Mediterranean coast near Antalya in May 2013 were analysed. In total, 69 individual food items were counted and nine taxa were identified to species or family level. Of the identified taxa, Sparidae was the most highly represented family of prey fish, and one cephalopod species, Octopus vulgaris, was found. Ariosoma balearicum and Argyrosomus regius were encountered for the first time in the diet of a Monk Seal in the Mediterranean. Several body parts (three heads, six forelimbs, neck bones and fractured upper forelimb bones) of Green Turtles ( Chelonia mydas ) were also identified, which is the first record of this species in the Monk Seal's diet.