Examining the potential for nutritional stress in young Steller sea lions: physiological effects of prey composition.

摘要: The effects of high- and low-lipid prey on the body mass, condition, metabolic rates young captive Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) were examined to better understand how changes in composition might impact physiology health wild contribute their population decline. Results three feeding experiments suggest that lipid content did not significantly affect mass or relative condition (lipid as a percent total mass) when could consume sufficient meet energy needs. However, intake was insufficient daily requirements, lost more (9.16±1.80 kg±SE) consuming compared with eating high-lipid (6.52±1.65 kg). Similarly, 2.7±0.9 kg while oil-supplemented pollock at maintenance levels but gained 5.2±2.7 identical energetic herring. Contrary expectations, there 9.7±1.8% increase metabolism during loss submaintenance diets. Relative decreased only 3.7±3.8% periods imposed nutritional stress, despite 10.4±4.8% decrease mass. These findings raise questions regarding efficacy measures detect such status among animals. results these can have additional lion stores beyond direct intake.