Abstract
Coastal urbanization has a dramatic effect on both terrestrial and marine ecosystems, altering resources such as food or space. Many species have shifted their ranges in response to anthropogenic pressures, resulting in novel species interactions. Here, we report an observation of a novel foraging behavior of the European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus): the capture and consumption of the widespread sea squirt Ciona intestinalis from under floating pontoons in a recreational marina in Ireland. Multiple gulls were observed performing a complex, multi‐step manipulation of several C. intestinalis individuals to remove their cellulose‐based tunic, which remained unconsumed. Further avenues of investigation are discussed, and hypotheses concerning possible ecosystem effects of novel ecological interactions occurring in proliferating artificial environments are presented.
Highlights
AND OBSERVATIONSSeabirds in the family Laridae are without exception generalist feeders and well known for their adaptability in exploiting novel sources of food (Burger and Gochfeld 1996)
Many of the gull species living along coastlines have learned to exploit anthropogenic food sources, notably rubbish dumps and bins (Horton et al 1983), with some bold individuals even learning to enter shops or swoop at humans to take food (Deering 2017)
We report a novel feeding association that seems to have developed as a consequence of these changes— predation by European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) on the widespread sea squirt Ciona intestinalis
Summary
Observations of a novel predatory gull behavior on an invasive ascidian: A new consequence of coastal urban sprawl?
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