The diet of the minke whale in Greenland - A short review

Pia Barner Neve

doi:10.7557/3.2974

Abstract

Information on the diet of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in Greenland waters is reviewed. The knowledge is based on reports by whale catchers in Greenland, supplemented by limited scientific studies of stomach contents. The available material indicates that capelin (Mallotus villosus) is the predominant prey item in Greenland waters, particularly in coastal areas. In offshore areas, sand eel (Ammodytes spp) is consumed rather frequently, and krill (euphausids) appears to play a certain role in some areas or periods.

Highlights

This paper addresses the last issue by presenting a review of earlier published results on minke whale diet in Greenlandic waters, together with recent information reported by loca l hunters
Information on the food habits of minke whales in Green landic waters was first presented by Fabrici us (1780), who stated that the predominant prey item was capelin (Mallolus villosus), but that they consumed other small fish
Casual information collected during the following century was summarised by Winge (1902), who noted that the predominant prey items were small fis h, especially capelin

Summary

Introduction

This paper addresses the last issue by presenting a review of earlier published results on minke whale diet in Greenlandic waters, together with recent information reported by loca l hunters. Information on the food habits of minke whales in Green landic waters was first presented by Fabrici us (1780), who stated that the predominant prey item was capelin (Mallolus villosus), but that they consumed other small fish.

Results

Conclusion