Food transit times in captive leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx)

Hall-Aspland, Sophie, Rogers, Tracey, Canfield, Rhondda and Tripovich, Joy (2010) Food transit times in captive leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx). Polar Biol. pp. 1-5. ISSN 0722-4060 (print version) 1432-2056 (electronic version)

[img] PDF (Article)
Hall-Aspland_et_al_2010.pdf
Restricted to Repository staff only

Download (368kB)
[img] PDF (Peer review evidence)
Peer_review_evidence_Polar_Biol.pdf
Restricted to Repository staff only

Download (40kB)

Abstract

The passage rate of food through the alimentary tract of three captive, female leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) was assessed. Seals were housed during winter in holding pools with access to water to reduce factors affecting digestion. Three different marker types were used; large and small beads and TiO2. Animals were checked hourly, and sample collections continued for 270 h after dosing. Individual differences in transit and mean retention times were observed, possibly reflecting inter-digestive emptying times of the stomach and small intestine. Age differences and activity levels may also have
been a factor. Leopard seals displayed extended food transit times similar to terrestrial carnivores instead of other pinnipeds. This result suggests an adaptation of digestive system to cope with the opportunistic diet and
range of prey types consumed.

Item Type: Article
Keywords: Beads � Complex diet � Extended �Passage rate � Poisson distribution � TiO2
Field of Research (2008): 06 Biological Sciences > 0608 Zoology > 060899 Zoology not elsewhere classified
Subjects: Q Science > QL Zoology
Date Deposited: 19 May 2011 03:18
Last Modified: 20 Oct 2011 23:22
URI: https://eprints.batchelor.edu.au/id/eprint/218

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item