Abstract
The transfer of energy from nutrient subsidies across ecological boundaries can link the dynamics of adjacent ecosystems. At the interface between land and sea, beach-cast marine mammal carcasses are a large and nutrient-rich food source available to shoreline scavengers. In addition to subsidizing scavengers directly, marine mammal carrion may also indirectly subsidize terrestrial animals by increasing prey abundance. As part of an ongoing study using camera traps to monitor marine mammal carrion along the California coast, I documented a Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) utilizing a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) carcass to forage for scavenging invertebrates. Given the widespread distribution of pinniped rookeries and terrestrial insectivores, it is likely that insectivores prey upon invertebrate scavengers of pinniped carrion in many locations where they co-occur.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
