Killer whale predation on a giant manta ray (Mobula birostris), a sicklefin devil ray (M. Tarapacana) and a tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) in the southwest Indian Ocean

Maeva Terrapon*, Stephanie K. Venables, Anthony Lokker, Nils Bertrand, Sascha Kate Hooker, Andrea D. Marshall

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Knowledge of killer whale (Orcinus orca) feeding ecology in tropical waters is scarce. In the southwest Indian Ocean, opportunistic sightings provide a valuable source of information to better understand their behaviour, diet and distribution. Here, we compile existing records of killer whale predation on elasmobranchs in the southwest Indian Ocean, including sightings of three undescribed prey species regionally: a giant manta ray (Mobula birostris), a sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana) and a tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier). Documenting such observations is important to increase knowledge on killer whale ecology in the tropics and the cascading impact they might have on prey populations.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere13342
Number of pages5
JournalAfrican Journal of Ecology
Volume62
Issue number4
Early online date29 Oct 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2024

Keywords

  • Elasmobranchs
  • Foraging ecology
  • Killer whale
  • Orcinus orca
  • Predation
  • Ray
  • Shark
  • Tropical Indian Ocean

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