Predation on elasmobranch eggs

Clicks: 218
ID: 117681
1970
Predation on large, energy rich eggs is common in terrestrial and freshwater communities with the eggs of amphibians, reptiles and birds figuring as prominant prey. We might predict that predation on large eggs would also be widespread in marine communities. However, little information is available to test this prediction. We present new evidence for such predation on elasmobranch eggs based on examination of capsules held in museum collections, those collected from beaches, long-term incubations of caged egg capsules, and SCUBA observation. The principal egg predators appear to be gastropods, though vertebrates contribute to mortality of embryonic elasmobranchs. As yet we can only speculate about the effects of egg predation for populations of oviparous elasmobranchs, or about the direct and indirect consequences predation upon their energy-rich eggs may have for marine communities.
Reference Key
cox1970environmentalpredation Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors David L. Cox;Thomas J. Koob;David L. Cox;Thomas J. Koob;
Journal environmental biology of fishes
Year 1970
DOI doi:10.1007/BF00842908
URL
Keywords

Citations

No citations found. To add a citation, contact the admin at info@scimatic.org

No comments yet. Be the first to comment on this article.