Changes in haematological parameters in relation to prey switching in a wild population of harbour seals

Abstract

1. Previous studies have found marked inter‐annual variation in winter food availability, diet composition and body condition in a population of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina L.) in Northeast Scotland. This study aimed to determine whether there were other physiological consequences of prey switching by comparing haematological parameters in years when the clupeids herring and sprat dominated the diet and in years when seals switched to alternative prey. 2. There were significant differences in leukocyte and erythrocyte parameters in relation to diet composition. In contrast, indices of body condition did not explain the variation in haematological parameters, suggesting that the observed changes did not result from differences in the energetic content of the prey. 3. Leukocyte counts were significantly higher after ‘good’ clupeid years, although the differences in mean counts were small. Such differences could have resulted either from immuno‐suppression, for example because of differences in prey nutrient or contaminant levels, or from differences in the pathogen challenge resulting from geographical variations in water quality. 4. The differences in erythrocyte parameters were more marked, and there was evidence of widespread macrocytic anaemia when seals switched from clupeids to alternative prey. Such differences could result either from acclimation, as a result of prey‐specific foraging strategies, or from differences in the nutritional quality of prey. 5. These results indicate that generalist predators such as the harbour seal may exhibit physiological responses to changes in the composition of their diet. These data highlight the need to consider the long‐term physiological effects of variations in food availability on the population dynamics of generalist marine top predators. In particular, it is hypothesized that fish‐induced anaemia may be responsible for declines in certain pinniped populations.