Inter-annual variation in the cephalopod component of the diet of the wandering albatross, Diomedea exulans, breeding at Bird Island, South Georgia

摘要: Cephalopods play an important role in the diet of many predators Southern Ocean. We investigated cephalopod component wandering albatross, during breeding at South Georgia, from 269 boluses containing more than 34,000 beaks (corresponding to 19,452 individual cephalopods), collected between 1989 and 1999, assessed inter-annual variability species, level scavenging on cephalopods by albatrosses relationships availability albatross parameters (breeding period, success, fledging egg mass chick mass). also proposed possible foraging areas based eaten. The was relatively stable over 11 years study. By number lower beaks, three species predominated diet: Kondakovia longimana (29.5% total beaks; family Onychoteuthidae), Taonius sp. (20.4%; Cranchiidae) Histioteuthis B (19.5%; Histioteuthidae). K. consistently predominant every year study (range 60.2–88.7% contribution diet). A minimum estimate 30% scavenged corresponded 85% that contributed diet. Wandering fed "Antarctic" "sub-Antarctic" or "subtropical" all study, suggesting Antarctic waters are area for albatrosses. Although some significant correlations abundance existed (e.g. correlation success), none included longimana. When comparing groups variables (using canonical analysis), no were found most (by mass), squid consumed, diversity index (H) each year, parameters. This may reflect possibility other components fish carrion) or, likely, consistency across performance indicates it is well buffered against fluctuations prey availability.