Changes in the diet of coastal otters after the Prestige oil spill (Galicia, north‐west Spain)

摘要: In November 2002 the Prestige tanker spilled 59 000 tonnes of oil off Galicia (north-west Spain) and contaminated a vast coastal area extending from northern Portugal to Brittany (France). Two study areas, lagoon (1 sample point) stretch rocky coast (includes 5 points), were selected examine changes on diet otters Lutra lutra L. before after spill. Diet was assessed 1103 spraints, 553 collected in 2000, spill 550 2003, lagoon, spill, spraints contained more shrimp (Palaemon sp.), prey marine origin, fewer gobies (Pomatoschistus sp.) eels Anguilla anguilla. A decline eel population may have caused make frequent visits sea. On coast, blennids 1 sampling points, however, seasonal patterns principal species (Blennidae, Gadidae Labridae) similar across 2 years study. The differences be attributed common interannual variations otters, but design this cannot assess degree natural variation