Deep-sea predator niche segregation revealed by combined cetacean biologging and eDNA analysis of cephalopod prey.

ABSTRACT: Fundamental insight on predator-prey dynamics in the deep sea is hampered by a lack of combined data on hunting behavior and prey spectra. Deep-sea niche segregation may evolve when predators target specific prey communities, but this hypothesis remains untested. We combined environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding with biologging to assess cephalopod community composition in the deep-sea foraging habitat of two top predator cetaceans. Risso's dolphin and Cuvier's beaked whale selectively targeted distinct epi/meso- and bathypelagic foraging zones, holding eDNA of 39 cephalopod taxa, including 22 known prey. Contrary to expectation, extensive taxonomic overlap in prey spectra between foraging zones indicated that predator niche segregation was not driven by prey community composition alone.

SUBMITTER: Visser F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8011969 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature