Stomach contents of a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) stranded in Italy (Ligurian Sea, north-western Mediterranean)

Abstract

The stomach contents of a male sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus, stranded on Forte dei Marmi beach (Italy, Ligurian Sea) were examined. Food items consisted exclusively of cephalopod hard parts: 233 upper and 291 lower beaks and one fish eye lens. The majority of the identified cephalopod beaks belonged to Histioteuthis bonnellii, but a few beaks of Galiteuthis armata and Octopoteuthis sp. were also found. A new beak size–cephalopod size regression was created for H. bonnellii with specimens caught in the study area. Reconstructed prey weight for the species was much higher when applying this new regression instead of Clarke's, highlighting the need for area- and species-specific regressions for dietary studies. Our analysis represents the second report on the stomach contents of sperm whales from the Mediterranean and the first available information for the Western basin.